Missoula, Mont. – In the heart of the Big Sky Conference, senior defensive lineman Tyler King has become the Grizzlies’ most feared pass‑rusher this season. King leads the conference with 8.5 sacks, a mark that reflects both his work ethic and the defensive resurgence of the Montana football program.
Consistent Production on the Field
King’s sack total includes at least one sack in three straight games and four of his last five outings before the recent matchup with Portland State. He has also recorded three multi‑sack performances this year, underscoring his ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks night after night.
“I think it just all comes back to the work you put in,” King said in a recent interview. “I say it all the time, but you get out what you put in, and I think that I didn’t come to college as the best player in the world, but I did a good job putting my head down and putting time in, and it’s all paying off.”
Learning From Early‑Season Adversity
The Grizzlies faced a sobering defeat at home against Idaho, a loss that served as a wake‑up call for King and the defensive unit. “Coming off that loss, it was not a fun time,” he recalled. “I felt like some of us could’ve quit or not worked as hard, but all of our players came back ready to work the next week.”
Montana’s subsequent victory over Eastern Washington University (EWU) helped restore confidence. The Grizzlies recorded 12 sacks and forced three interceptions in that game. Yet King emphasized that the work is far from finished. “It was a good feeling, but we still have a lot of work to do. There are still definitely some mistakes that we need to clean up,” he said. “We played good, but we could be even better.”
Choosing Montana: The Portal Decision
After three seasons at Central Washington, King entered the transfer portal when head coach Chris Fisk departed for Portland State. “The portal process for me was kind of a quick one,” King explained. “I had an idea of where I wanted to be. There were a few schools, and Montana was the top one.”
Visiting Washington‑Grizzly Stadium in 2025 sealed his decision. “Coming here was definitely the biggest factor of it all,” King said. “I remember walking onto the field, seeing the crowd, and thinking, ‘Wow, this place is special, and I want to be a part of it.’”
Life Off the Field
Beyond football, King enjoys Missoula’s community. His favorite local eatery is Plaza Azteca, and he cites the city’s people as his favorite aspect of living there. When asked about his pre‑game routine, King admitted he gets nervous but tries to stay focused after warm‑ups.
He is also a fan of the Minnesota Vikings and plans to pursue firefighting after his college career ends, reflecting a commitment to service both on and off the field.
Looking Ahead
With King anchoring the defensive line, Montana hopes to continue its upward trajectory as the season progresses. His leadership, combined with a renewed team spirit, positions the Grizzlies to compete for conference honors and potentially a postseason berth.
Fans can follow King’s progress through the Grizzlies’ official channels and catch the full interview below.
Original reporting: NewsTalk KGVO 1290 (Townsquare) — read the source article.
