35 Facts About Tommy Mellott

Early Life and High School Achievements

Tommy Mellott's journey to becoming a standout quarterback began in his hometown of Butte, Montana. His high school years were marked by impressive performances and community involvement.

1. Tommy Mellott grew up in Butte, Montana, and attended Butte High School.
2. He played football under the guidance of former Bobcat star Arie Grey.
3. As a senior at Butte High School, Mellott completed 191 of 300 pass attempts for 2,940 yards and 30 touchdowns.
4. He also rushed for 1,217 yards and 16 touchdowns, earning him the Montana Gatorade Player of the Year award.

College Commitment and Early Career

Mellott's transition to college football saw him initially playing different roles before finding his place as a quarterback.

5. Mellott committed to play college football at Montana State University.
6. In his freshman season, he initially played wide receiver and on special teams.
7. He took over as the starting quarterback prior to the team's game against UT Martin in the 2021 FCS Playoffs.

Overcoming Challenges

Despite facing injuries, Mellott's resilience and determination have been evident throughout his college career.

8. During the 2022 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game, Mellott suffered a serious ankle injury but continued to play until he had to leave the game.
9. In his sophomore year, Mellott was named second-team All-Big Sky Conference after passing for 1,698 yards and 10 touchdowns with 4 interceptions.
10. Despite missing time due to injury in his junior year, Mellott repeated as a second-team All-Big Sky selection.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Mellott's stats and accolades highlight his significant contributions to the Montana State Bobcats.

11. Through the 2024 regular season, Mellott has rushed for 3,113 yards in his career, ranking fourth in MSU history.
12. He has thrown for 5,202 yards, ranking fifth in MSU history, and has thrown 46 touchdown passes, tying for fifth.
13. Mellott was named the Big Sky's offensive player of the year in 2024.
14. He is a top-three finalist for the Walter Payton Award, given to the offensive player of the year in the Football Championship Subdivision.

Leadership and Community Service

Beyond his on-field achievements, Mellott has made a significant impact through his leadership and community service.

15. As a senior, Mellott led the Bobcats to a 12-0 record, an outright Big Sky Conference championship, and the No. 1 seed for the FCS playoffs.
16. He threw for 1,956 yards and 22 touchdowns with just one interception, completing 68.5% of his passes.
17. Mellott is highly involved in community service, carrying a 4.0 GPA as a financial engineering major and contributing around 200 hours as a volunteer.
18. His volunteer work includes projects such as volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and reading in Bozeman elementary schools.

Academic Excellence

Mellott's dedication to academics is as impressive as his athletic achievements.

19. Mellott is a two-time Academic All-Big Sky selection and has been named CSC Academic All-District for two consecutive seasons.
20. He is a FedEx Ground Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award winner, recognizing his excellence in academics and community service combined with achievements on the football field.

Personal Philosophy and Community Impact

Mellott's personal philosophy and actions reflect his commitment to helping others and inspiring younger individuals.

21. Mellott's desire to help people is rooted in his hometown of Butte, where he grew up seeing strong community support.
22. During his time at Butte High School, Mellott became involved with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and helped organize a fund-raising effort to support the Shriners Children's Hospital.
23. Before a playoff game, he gave high fives and cheered on athletes at the Special Olympics opening ceremonies.

Historic Performances and Career Milestones

Mellott's performances on the field have been nothing short of historic, setting records and achieving significant milestones.

24. Mellott has been instrumental in leading the Bobcats to several victories, including his first career start in a home playoff win against UT Martin.
25. As a freshman, Mellott had one of the most remarkable seasons in Bobcat history, rushing for 716 yards in 25 fewer carries than Chris Murray in 2016.
26. Despite facing injuries, Mellott has continued to play at a high level, amassing 3,241 passing yards and 2,474 rushing yards.
27. His offensive coordinator, Taylor Housewright, describes him as "the smartest quarterback I've ever been around" and "the hardest worker in the room."

Preseason Recognition and Awards

Mellott's talent and hard work have earned him numerous preseason recognitions and awards.

28. Before the 2023 season, Mellott was named Preseason Third Team All-America quarterback by Stats Perform and Preseason All-Big Sky.
29. He received the Sonny Holland Offensive MVP award.
30. Mellott was named Big Sky Player of the Week twice, following wins against top 10 opponents Weber State and UM.

Academic and Athletic Balance

Balancing academics and athletics, Mellott has excelled in both areas, earning multiple accolades.

31. He has been named Academic All-Big Sky and CSC All-District 7 multiple times.
32. In his sophomore year, Mellott earned Hero Sports Sophomore All-America honors.
33. On January 6, 2024, Stats Perform presented Mellott with the 2023 FedEx Ground Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award.

Career Rushing and Passing Statistics

Mellott's career statistics in both rushing and passing highlight his versatility and skill as a quarterback.

34. Through his career, Mellott has rushed for 3,113 yards, placing him fourth in MSU history, and scored 39 rushing touchdowns, ranking second.
35. In terms of passing yards, Mellott has accumulated 5,202 yards, ranking fifth in MSU history, and thrown 46 touchdown passes, tying for fifth.

Tommy Mellott: A True Standout

Tommy Mellott's journey from Butte, Montana to becoming a standout quarterback for the Montana State Bobcats is nothing short of inspiring. His high school achievements set the stage for a college career marked by resilience, skill, and leadership. Despite injuries, Mellott's performance on the field has been exceptional, earning him numerous accolades including the Big Sky's offensive player of the year and a top-three finalist spot for the Walter Payton Award.

Beyond football, Mellott shines academically and in community service. With a 4.0 GPA in financial engineering and around 200 volunteer hours, he exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete. His dedication to helping others and his impressive stats make him a role model for young athletes. Tommy Mellott's story is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and the impact one individual can have both on and off the field.