Makena Simis To Montana

Scout.com learned Monday morning that Makena Simis, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound quarterback from Capital High School in Boise, Idaho, has verbally committed to Montana after picking up a scholarship from the Grizzlies a couple days earlier.

Simis, who was a second-team All-SIC pick and took the Eagles to the state semifinals as a junior, was getting attention from programs like Washington State, Troy, Utah and Weber State, but jumped on the first opportunity that presented itself. And according to Capital's Quarterbacks Coach Dave Kemper, it sounds like it's a great fit from a football perspective.

"I think Montana is getting exactly what they want…hopefully they stay with that same offense," Kemper told Scout.com. "They pretty much run the same offense we do - it's a no-huddle, gun spread-type offense. So he'll be in the huddle making all the line calls; run-wise the keys are the same keys we run and in the pass game it'll be a little more complex for him but Makena's pretty far ahead of the game when it comes to reading coverages and stuff like that."

Kemper also gave us a glimpse into why he believes Simis, who is the son of Capital Head Coach Todd Simis, will succeed at the next level. "I think he's come a long way," said Kemper. "Being a head coach's son, he's pretty much a head coach on the field. He knows the game, he understands the game…he's really matured, especially over the last year - and this year should be exciting for us because he's so much more ahead of the game. Makena's just a born leader. He'll take control and he's one of those kids - I know you hear this all the time, but - he works his tail off…in the weight room, on the field doing drills…he has to be first and compete and all that stuff. They are getting someone that's a winner who knows what he's doing and I think he'll take control and help those guys out."

Makena Simis Scout.com Profile