Montana State DE Ferriter Reflects on Program Changes

Smart. Reliable. Funny. Consistent. Durable. These are all words that Montana State football head coach Jeff Choate uses to describe his defensive end Marcus Ferriter. “That guy started games for us our first year, you know. And he’s been that guy that’s just never, knock on wood, never been out with injuries, has been so consistent in his toughness, he’s really improved as a player,” Choate said. “He’s not just a guy that’s going to, i mean he can go out and make plays for us. I love him. Just a great kid and and awesome, awesome player for us.” Clearly Choate is a fan of number 99, but what he brought to the table four years ago as head coach is what developed Ferriter into the player that he is today. “There’s a ton of little things like the new guys probably don’t even realize and take for granted,” Ferriter said. “Getting fed everyday, getting fed after a win especially, you get fed pretty good and there’s just small little things that have just changed tremendously so i just can’t even explain how much it’s changed with Choate.” Though food may seem small to start, pair that with the Big Sky’s only full-time nutritionist, add in money being invested into the program, summer training becoming more like team building and as the list gets longer - changes start to take shape. “I think the everyone just has the goal of what’s important and i think a a lot of people on the team put the team first instead of themselves so I think coach Choate has just brought a culture of team and unity and things like that,” Ferriter said. On top of a culture shift, the importance of family also started to bloom within the defensive line in particular. With Zach Wright, Tyrone Fa’anono, and Tucker Yates leading the pack last season - now Ferriter is the one spreading the love. “I think when it comes game time it’s just like we’ve done our job the whole week and now it’s time to just go out and have fun together,” the senior said. “Have each others back if someone doesn’t make a play, or someone has a bad play just kind of supporting them and I think just that unity we have.” Thanks to Choate and the changes he’s made, the bonds go beyond just the players and coaches. Ferriter credits Alex Willcox for building him up in the weight room and Jamie Rizzuto for keeping him on top of his electrical engineering degree with which he’ll graduate at the end of semester - truly ending the Ash era.