‘Means something more’

CHRIS PETERSON

406 MT Sports

HELENA — Life comes at you fast when you’re a major college football recruit.

Brit Linder, a three-star recruit who plays linebacker and running back for Helena Capital, certainly meets the definition with four Division I offers, including from FBS programs UTEP and Nevada.

In-state schools Montana and Montana State also offered Linder. He connected with Capital legend Bobby Daly, now the defensive coordinator at UTEP, who was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Montana State until last February.

But in the end, the all-state linebacker chose to stay home in the Treasure State, announcing a commitment to Montana State last week.

“I’m really grateful for the whole process,” Linder said. “It was exciting at times.

There were highs and lows. But I was able to come away with four Division I offers, and I felt like each of them was a really good opportunity with programs that had something unique and special to offer.”

After taking official visits to Montana State, Nevada and Montana this summer, Linder was offered by UTEP, spearheaded by Daly.

“He was the first one to reach out from the Montana State staff,” he said. “So I was disappointed and didn’t know what to think after he left. But I had a few conversations with Coach (Brent) Vigen and as they adjusted their staff, Coach Jody Owens got in touch with me a lot. I built a strong relationship with him, too.”

Relationships matter in recruiting. But money talks. For Linder, ranked third in the state of Montana in the 2026 class, via 247 Sports, it was a real consideration, especially with FBS offers on the table.

“There’s definitely an appeal to the FBS programs,” he said. “Even stuff like being in (EA Sports College Football) was really cool. But coming from Montana, it means something more to be one of the guys on an in-state team like the Cats or the Griz.”

Linder had 99 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception last season in his first as a starter for the Bruins, who went 11-1 on their way to the Class AA state championship. He also rushed the ball 60 times for 393 yards and three touchdowns (6.6 yards per carry) in addition to three receptions for 34 yards.

“He’s 6-foot-2, 220 pounds and runs like a deer,” Capital head coach Kyle Mihelish said. “He’s a smart kid. He’s a good kid, and has all the intangibles. He’s going to go to Montana State’s campus and do everything they ask him to do. He’ll put on 15 pounds, and with the way he runs, he could be one of the best linebackers in the Big Sky. That’s the projection in my mind.

“I think the Cats got a steal in Brit Linder.”

The tradition of great linebacker play at Montana State didn’t hurt either.

“I’ve actually had a conversation with Troy Andersen about his journey, being kind of a smalltime recruit to a second-round NFL draft pick,” Linder said. “Throughout the school’s history, the Griz might have a few better linebackers, but more recently, the Bobcats turn out First-Team All-Big Sky linebackers every year. That was really appealing.”

It’s all part of the reason why Linder turned down more money to commit to Montana State over other programs.

“I got specific numbers from Nevada,” he said. “And I got less from Montana State, but I didn’t want to be a huge perk guy. I just wanted to find the place that was going to fit me best, and I’m happy with my decision.”

Recruiting is big business, and Linder, who is an asset in the college football marketplace, experienced that firsthand.

“It makes you be a grown-up,” he said. “But it’s also something to be excited about. I’m going to get to go to school and get paid for (football).”

Linder is also excited about his senior season with Capital, especially with a role on offense that should be much bigger.

“Running back has always kind of been my favorite position, kind of always my baby,” he said. “I started to fall more in love with linebacker last year. That’s what I’ll be playing in college. I don’t have any specific goals for this season, though. I just want to play my role and help my team win.”