Former Syracuse quarterback Justin Lamson has propelled the Montana State Bobcats to the Division I Football Championship game, showcasing his impressive skills throughout the season. This significant milestone comes after a series of transitions in Lamson’s collegiate career, which saw him play for Syracuse and Stanford before finding his place at Montana State.
Lamson’s Journey to Montana State
Bobcat head coach Brent Vigen recognized Lamson’s potential during his high school years. Vigen, who was then with the University of Wyoming, recalled attempting to connect with Lamson during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Justin was a high target of ours, and I had a chance to go to Sacramento, to his high school, talk to his coach, see him throw,” Vigen stated. The pandemic limited their interactions, turning Vigen into an observer, watching Lamson from his office window.
Despite interest from Wyoming, Lamson committed to Syracuse, describing his experience there as positive. “I had a great time in Syracuse, learned a lot,” he noted. Following his time at Syracuse, he transferred to Stanford, where he served as a backup quarterback and threw four touchdown passes in the 2024 season. Yet, he found himself in the transfer portal once again, leading him to Bowling Green.
Lamson’s commitment to Bowling Green on January 15, 2023 was soon overshadowed by coaching changes, including the departure of head coach Scot Loeffler to the Philadelphia Eagles. This left Lamson facing uncertainty as a new coaching staff, led by Eddie George, arrived with different expectations. By the end of March, Lamson was observing Montana State’s spring drills, a pivotal moment that would shape his career.
Establishing as the Starting Quarterback
Through hard work and determination, Lamson secured the starting quarterback position at Montana State by the conclusion of fall camp. Reflecting on this journey, he described the experience as both challenging and humbling. “I really felt like I had a challenging fall camp. Our defense was challenging me a lot,” he explained. As his performance improved, he began to embrace his leadership role within the offense.
Heading into the championship game against Illinois State, Lamson has demonstrated remarkable efficiency on the field, throwing for 24 touchdowns against just three interceptions and adding another 14 rushing touchdowns for the season. The Bobcats hold an impressive record of 13-2 as they prepare for the showdown.
Vigen expressed gratitude for Lamson’s journey, stating, “It was the way the story was meant to be written. Crazy story and a relationship that has gone back quite a ways.” As the championship game approaches, Lamson’s trajectory reflects resilience and adaptability, qualities that will undoubtedly be crucial on the field.
The championship game is set to kick off at 19:30 and will be broadcast live on ESPN, offering Lamson and the Bobcats a prime opportunity to secure their place in collegiate football history.
