Bozeman, Mont.- April 26th, 2025, will forever be a memorable date for the Mellott family. The day that Tommy Mellott was drafted in the sixth round, 213th overall, of the NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. Mellott’s journey is one that can be defined by perseverance, dedication, persistence, and sacrifice, but one that also wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering support of his family.
🚨 Breaking News: Former #MSUBobcatsFB QB Tommy Mellott is drafted in the sixth round 213th overall by the Las Vegas Raiders!
The 2024 Walter Payton Award winner is headed to Sin City. #NFLDraft2025 pic.twitter.com/598BGh8kQ8
— Austin Lee Parr (@Alparr22) April 26, 2025
“It makes me very emotional just to think of all the different things that they’ve done to give me an opportunity that they, you know, they really never had. Not necessarily you know, playing, possibly playing in the NFL, but just, you know, playing sports. You know, my dad, had to provide for his family very early on in his life. And I’m sure that he would have been a great athlete, but no one would have known because he never had the opportunity to. And so, you know, just with what he sacrificed throughout his life to, to give us, you know, every opportunity that we could ever have. I just it means the world to try to make the most of that and, obviously continue that and give them opportunities to, to continue to, you know, just realize some of those satisfactions because of their sacrifices.”
That word sacrifice is a definition that athletes must embrace early on in their careers to be successful. 1.6% of college athletes get drafted to play in the NFL, an opportunity that will not come without a tremendous amount of sacrifice. Tommy Mellott embodied every part of that word during his career at Montana State. Mellott is always the first one in the building and the last one out, sacrificing his time to give everything he had to being a Bobcat. The best example followed a playoff loss.
Despite the season being finished, Mellott was seen by coaches working out in the stadium the following Monday morning. Striving to not only make it back to the postseason but become a better version of himself and possibly win a national championship. That type of dedication, persistence, and sacrifice is what turned Tommy into a Montana State legend in four plus years.
Mellott reflected on his career at Montana State. “I mean, it was it was a dream for sure. The entire four and a half years that I, that I was here, so many different people that I’ve met, built relationships with, whether it be, you know, coaches and players and just people throughout the community for sure. Having opportunities early on to play and then, you know, kind of being humbled obviously later and then and then kind of bring you building your confidence back up and helping, you know, be part of a team that goes to a national championship and, you know, wins more games than any Bobcat team ever has before. So, it was very special the four and a half years.”
Despite the success of the Bobcats during Tommy’s tenure, and Mellott earning the Walter Payton Award in 2024, his draft process was challenging. Mellott didn’t receive any opportunities to play in an all-star game and didn’t get the invite to the NFL Combine. Mellott also said he heard from numerous teams that they didn’t want him to play quarterback, the position that ascended him to greatness throughout his career as a Bobcat.
Tommy spent time seeking out agents, places to train, and support to get him ready for the next level. Following the national championship loss, Mellott left immediately to train out of state for his pro day, sacrificing time with family and friends to make sure he was prepared to make noise. When pro day came, all eyes were on Tommy, and he didn’t miss the opportunity. Mellott ran a 4.39 forty-yard dash, garnering serious attention around the league. Mellott performed as a wide receiver, and proved that regardless of the position, he is a freak athlete that can play at the highest level.
Tommy Mellott clocks a 4.2 shuttle unofficially and also ran a 4.39 40-yard dash.
Incredible day for Tommy. #MSUBobcatsFB
He is working out as a wide receiver. pic.twitter.com/VEfR8HF6AJ
— Austin Lee Parr (@Alparr22) April 4, 2025
Once the draft drew closer, Tommy received another blessing of support, but this time from the Worldwide Leader in Sports. ESPN picks an athlete every year of the NFL Draft and labels them ‘Prospect X.’ An athlete that hasn’t been on a lot of team’s radars and could be the most overlooked prospect in the draft.
Tommy Mellott was ESPN’s 2025 Prospect X.
Tommy Mellott revealed as ESPN’s 2025 ‘Prospect X.’
Photo Courtesy:
ESPN.com
A well-written story by Kalyn Kahler garnering more attention towards touchdown Tommy. Anyone who read the story knew that this was Tommy Mellott. Through the help of his support system, a reliable agent, and the exposure of ‘Prospect X,’ Tommy’s dreams started to materialize.
“Once I was able to, you know, have a great pro day and, and, and, you know, make a little make up of waves and, you know, my agent did a great job, and I know that she that prospect x, Kalyn she had me on her radar. And so, she was just excited to be out here, and, like I said, it’s still a there’s so many things that I can’t piece together of how it all happened, you know? So. But it was it was a really cool story, and it was a blessing to be a part of that for sure.”
Mellott’s next journey of becoming a professional begins July 17th, as Tommy enters his first NFL Training Camp with the Raiders. One step at a time and the first goal is to obviously make the final roster. As to if he will do that or have an impact on the Raiders this year or in the future, Montana State Head Coach Brent Vigen said it best, “I’d bet on Tommy Mellott.”