Tommy Mellott started his collegiate football career lining up for Montana State’s first kick return of the 2021 season. Mellott didn’t start a single game under center for the Bobcats during his freshman year, but his promotion to the starting job paved a path for a historic season.
Following redshirt junior Matt McKay’s loss of the starting job, Mellott’s first-career start as a quarterback came in the first round of the FCS playoffs against UT Martin, as the freshman started all four of the Bobcats’ games from there on — becoming the first Montana State quarterback to make his debut in the postseason.
Mellott suffered an ankle injury on the first drive of the Bobcats’ Jan. 8 championship loss to North Dakota State. Following surgery in late January, the now sophomore will be ready for the 2022 season, 406 MT Sports reported.
Leading Montana State to the FCS Championship in his first month at the helm, Mellott averaged nearly 25 rushes in postseason play. He also set a playoff record for the Bobcats with 34 carries in a semifinal game against South Dakota State.
The dual-threat quarterback currently lives by his legs. Mellott rushed for 716 yards — third-most by a freshman in Montana State history. To make his accomplishments even more known, the Butte product accounted for the third-most rushing yards on 25 fewer carries compared to Chris Murray in 2016 (860) and 83 less compared to Idaiah Ifanse in 2018 (1,025).
Against UT Martin, Mellott rushed for 180 yards, after scoring all three of Montana State’s touchdowns with his feet in a regular season contest against Idaho. While taking down powerhouse Sam Houston State on the road in the playoffs, Mellott caught, rushed and threw for a touchdown pass in the first 16 minutes of play.
The future is bright for Mellott, as his Swiss Army knife approach led Montana State to the FCS Championship this past season. While back at practice and seeing action in the spring game, Mellott will have his first full season in front of him in 2022 as the Bobcats’ starting quarterback.