MSU's Kramer likes new recruits

Montana State University football coach Mike Kramer made his annual winter trek to the Flathead Valley last week to help with a scholarship fund-raising event at the Buffalo Hill Golf Course Clubhouse.

Prior to the big event, Kramer had plenty of good news to share regarding area athletes in his program.

Brandon Hoffenbacker, a 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive tackle from Kalispell, will be a factor this year on the field having passed on football his first year to focus on academics.

Mike McCracken, a senior at Whitefish High School, signed with the Bobcats last month and will be on scholarship this fall. Kramer is very excited about his future. McCracken is a 6-0, 225-pound linebacker.

And the Bobcats also added two preferred walk-ons from Flathead High School - Beau Watkins, an all-state cornerback, and Richard Boggs, a defensive tackle/tight end. Boggs, 6-7, 235, will move to offensive tackle while Watkins, 6-2, 180, will stay on defense.

"He's doing great, doing fantastic," said Kramer of Hoffenbacker. "I'm very excited about what he's accomplished (in and out of the classroom). He can lift a whole weight room."

Hoffenbacker signed with MSU in February of 2005. Since he was an at-risk student, the coaching staff elected that his freshman year be spent acclimating himself to college life and academics.

It was a smart move.

"He's been very, very responsible," said Kramer. "He's doing above any of his previous academic success.

"At this point, as long as he continues at this rate, he'll be a success story regardless of how well he does on the football field."

Since Hoffenbacker was not on the football roster last year, he was not on scholarship.

He was not allowed to lift weights, or work out with the football team. Hoffenbacker had to do that on his own.

Hoffenbacker, however, will be on scholarship this fall.

At Flathead High School, Hoffenbacker was a seven time first-team all-state selection, including offense and defense.

"He has the accolades," said Kramer. "He's the best Montana high school (player) ever. Period."

Kramer calls McCracken an every down player.

"He never came off the field for Whitefish," he said.

"Very unselfish. A team leader."

Although NCAA rules forbid Kramer to discuss individuals walking-on to the program until they are in uniform, he says those athletes over the years have made a positive impact on the program.

"The guts of our program," said Kramer.

"Currently, eight of our 22 starters are walk-ons. I'm shocked at the success of our walk-on program."

Montana State will have 13 athletes (11 from Montana) walking on this fall.

The Bobcats begin spring drills on March 23. The annual spring game will take place April 13 in Bozeman.

MSU will also hold a scrimmage on April 8 in Great Falls.