CMR's Karl Tucker II verbally commits to Montana State

On the offensive side of the football, the Montana State Bobcats have plenty of playmakers.

Now they can add another one to the list.

C.M. Russell High's Karl Tucker II verbally committed to play for head coach Rob Ash and the Cats on Thursday.

"They've been on me for a little bit, probably halfway through my junior year they offered me a full scholarship," Tucker II said. "It's been good. They showed me a lot of love.

"It was the best thing for me and my family and I feel like I am a perfect fit there."

A second team All-State selection as a wide receiver in his junior campaign, Tucker II was named to the Tribune's Super-State team as an all-purpose athlete.

"It's very exciting for Karl," CMR head football coach Gary Lowry said. "I think it's a very good fit for him. They like him. He likes their program. They are a top-notch program. They are going to score points again next year. I'm proud of the decision he made."

Montana State — 8-5 overall in 2014 — was his only scholarship offer, but he received interest from the likes of Montana, Colorado State and, just recently, Northern Arizona.

"I really like the coaching staff," Tucker II said. "Mr. (Tim) Cramsey (offensive coordinator) and coach Ash have shown me so much consideration and they've given me such a great opportunity with giving me a full ride. It's going to be best financially for my family, which is always a good thing. It takes the weight off of their shoulders so they don't have to pay for college."

Tucker II was recruited to Bozeman as a wide receiver. This season at C.M. Russell High, the 6-foot-1, 205-pounder ran the ball 101 times for 524 yards and nine scores in the "Wildcat" formation, caught 44 balls for 501 yards and two touchdowns out wide, and accumulated 1,129 all-purpose yards.

"Their offense is explosive," he said of a Montana State offense that scored 38 points per game and averaged 489 yards every time out, both of which were school records.

"I want to be a part of that," he said. "Really explosive. Mr. Cramsey and coach Ash, like I said, just do a great job. Mr. Kempt, Cody Kempt, got me really interested. He's a great guy, the receiver's coach down there. I'm excited."

Said Lowry: "They are a very dynamic offense and Karl fits perfectly into their scheme."

Tucker II might have the opportunity to play with Bobcat do-it-all quarterback Dakota Prukop, who will be a senior when the CMR athlete arrives in the fall of 2016.

"Which would be sweet," Tucker II said. "He's a great player. He's really fun to watch. I've gone down (to Bozeman) to watch a lot of games and he's explosive. He's fun to watch. He makes a lot of plays."

Up until last week, Tucker II said he was going to decide right before his senior season but plans changed. With the graduation of quarterback Dallas Farren, he will also be experiencing another change: He will be CMR's signal caller in 2015; he threw the ball just four times for 33 yards, with an interception and a touchdown, in his junior season.

"This year I really have to work on throwing," Tucker II said. "That's what I've been doing a lot of lately."

Lowry has full confidence in him.

"He's worked hard at it, and he'll do everything we ask him to do," he said. "He's just that type of team guy. He'll do whatever is best for the team."