Montana Players Miss NFL Draft But Still Get Pro Opportunities

No players from the University of Montana Grizzlies or Montana State Bobcats heard their names called during the seven rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.

If you spent Saturday hoping to hear a Montana player get picked, that probably felt a little disappointing, but the story didn’t end when the draft wrapped up.

Michael Wortham Finally Got The Call

Shortly after the draft ended, former Griz standout Michael Wortham finally got the news he’d been waiting for: he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent.

His road here wasn’t exactly typical. Wortham started as a quarterback in Northern California before playing at Sierra College. He then transferred to Eastern Washington before eventually landing in Missoula.

Once Wortham arrived at Montana, everything clicked. He broke the school’s single-season all-purpose yards record with 2,431 yards and quickly became one of the most exciting players to watch.

Kenzel Lawler Is Getting His Shot, Too

Former Griz cornerback Kenzel Lawler is also getting an NFL shot. He earned a rookie minicamp invite from the Kansas City Chiefs after an impressive Pro Day in Missoula, posting a 39.5-inch vertical jump and one of the fastest three-cone drill times among cornerbacks, a performance that clearly got NFL scouts paying attention.

Cannon Panfiloff Is Headed To The CFL

Former Montana offensive lineman Cannon Panfiloff has already secured his next opportunity, signing with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL.

Panfiloff helped anchor Montana’s offensive line during some of the most productive offensive seasons in program history and now gets the chance to continue his football career professionally.

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Montana Football Has Plenty To Be Proud Of

Sure, hearing a player’s name called on draft day is exciting, but making it to any professional league is no small feat. This weekend just proved what Montana football fans already know: the talent here is real.

For kids across Montana dreaming about their own football futures, this is a reminder: there’s more than one path to making it.