Editor’s Note: Keep an eye out for the Treasure State Top Five all summer long as SWX Montana’s Josh Dugan breaks down his top five lists for a number of categories related to Montana sports.

Summer is winding down so the countdown till football season is on and with the Big Sky Kickoff event set for next weekend SWX Montana’s Josh Dugan thought this would be a good time to take a look at some of the key new additions for the Griz heading into the season for this week’s Treasure State Top Five

Let’s start with redshirt junior defensive back Braeden Orlandi who will be making the leap from the NAIA to D1 after spending three seasons at Carroll where he was a tackling machine.

Orlandi led the entire nation in tackles with 136 total during his final season with the Saints. He will have to adjust to the speed of the FCS level but some guys just have that rare ability to be in the right place at the right time to make a tackle so his knack for bringing down opposing ball carriers should translate.

Next up, we have another member of the secondary and that is transfer cornerback Devin Dunn.

The redshirt senior has spent his entire college career to date playing for the Arizona Wildcats. Last season he played in all 13 games for Arizona where he tallied 9 tackles and one pass breakup.

It’s not always a sure thing when players bounce back to the FCS from the FBS level especially when they haven’t seen the field much but Dunn’s experience on the field in 2025 makes me think he’ll be ready to rock and roll from day one.

Let’s follow that up with former D2 All-American Tyler King who will be coming to Montana from Central Washington.

King was the Lone Star Conference POTY and finished eighth in the nation with 13 sacks last season.

He’ll have to adjust to the speed and strength in the trenches at the FCS level but with a 6’5 250 pound frame he should have the size to make that adjustment quickly.

The Griz will have some production to make up at wide receiver with Michael Wortham, Drew Deck, and Blake Bohannon all wrapping up their college careers and one name to watch for to step up is Legend Lyons who is a redshirt freshman transfer from the Minnesota Golden Gophers

Lyons flashed his talent in the spring game with a highlight reel touchdown catch and for what it’s worth his cousin is Russell Westbrook who is one of the most athletic players in NBA history so who knows maybe we’ll see some of that highlight reel athleticism from Lyons.

Last up, is an obvious one but it has to be head coach Bobby Kennedy who already received a four year extension prior to his first season running the show in Missoula.

All eyes will be on Kennedy early but based on his background as an offensive coach and the fact the Griz return one of the best QB’s in the nation and arguably the best running back in the nation I think we should see the Montana offense come running out the gates under Kennedy from day one next season.

If you have suggestions for future Treasure State Top Five categories please email josh.dugan@nonstoplocal.com with your ideas