Montana State is looking to make another run to the FCS Championship game after their impressive 12-3 season in 2021. The Bobcats announced multiple transfer additions for the upcoming season earlier this week as Montana State aims to reload at multiple key positions. Multiple additions come from the FBS level including former Kentucky wide receiver Clevan Thomas Jr. who announced his transfer on social media. Another major pickup was former 3-star Arizona defensive back Rhedi Short.
Short was a 3-star prospect out of Los Angeles, CA and ranked as a Top-50 safety in the class of 2017. Short was a two-time 1st Team All-Angeles League selection and was also selected to participate in the Polynesian All-American Bowl as a senior. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound defensive back totaled 47 tackles, 12 pass breakups, 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles in his senior season. Short announced his commitment to Arizona over UCLA, Arizona State, Boise State, among multiple other Power-5 offers.
Short redshirted his first season for the Wildcats and did not see any action in his second or third seasons at Arizona. He made his impact in 2020 as he totaled 30 tackles, which was tied for the team lead. Short saw action in 11 games during the 2021 season primarily on special teams, but had a 4 tackle performance against USC and a touchdown on a blocked punt against Utah. Short announced his transfer after the 2021 season and will have one year of eligibility left at Montana State.
🤯🤯🤯
With a blocked punt, @ArizonaFBall is back in the game.
📺 Pac-12 Networks
📱 https://t.co/axnrWIrqXX#BearDown | #Pac12FB pic.twitter.com/gwIQCIpK2I— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) November 13, 2021
The Bobcats lost Big Sky All-American Tre Webb this offseason and head coach Brent Vigen indicated that Short will challenge for the starting strong safety spot this fall. Short will join former high school teammate and Oregon State transfer Jeffrey Manning Jr. in the secondary for the Bobcats next season. Rylan Ortt and Eric Zambrano will challenge Short for playing time at the strong safety position going into the 2022 season.
Montana State opens the 2022 season against Southland contender McNeese State on September 3rd.