The spring of 2025 presented an ultimatum for Cole Taylor: either he was going to make the jump to linebacker or Montana State would have to move him somewhere else.

“Because we (had to) get him on the field,” MSU head coach Brent Vigen said. “He was really a good special teams player (in 2024) and he needed to be able to take that step defensively.”

After redshirting in 2023, Taylor mostly contributed on special teams last year with 10 total tackles. Taylor, who played only quarterback at Great Falls CMR, used those first two seasons to build his confidence.

When MSU recruited Taylor, his athleticism and frame (Taylor was listed at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds on the 2023 roster) stood out, said defensive coordinator Shawn Howe, along with his football IQ from playing QB. The conversation to s

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