MISSOULA — Former Montana Grizzlies safety Nash Fouch and punter Travis Benham will get pro football opportunities now that the 2024 NFL Draft has concluded.
Fouch was invited to rookie minicamp by the New York Giants, the UM football social media accounts announced on Sunday afternoon. As of Sunday, Fouch is the lone former Griz who has latched on with a NFL team so far out of this latest crop of eligible players.
𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒕!@nash_fouch4 🤝 @Giants Time to ball out in the Big 🍎!#GoGriz // #NextLevelGriz pic.twitter.com/IrzFdC0x6D
— Montana Griz Football (@MontanaGrizFB) April 28, 2024
Fouch, a native of Woodinville, Washington, was a three-year starter for the Grizzlies at safety and played in every game at Montana since the 2019 season when he was a redshirt freshman.
In 2023, Fouch finished with 52 total tackles, five for loss with one sack, one forced fumble, one interception and five passes broken up as UM made it to the FCS national championship game.
In his career, Fouch appeared in 57 games and totaled 184 tackles, 12.5 for loss, one sack, four interceptions and one forced fumble. Fouch was one of eight former Grizzlies to participate in UM's Pro Day earlier this month.
New York's rookie minicamp is set to begin on May 5.
Meanwhile, Benham was extended a rookie minicamp invitation by the New York Jets. In his only season with the Grizzlies in 2023, Benham led the Big Sky in punts inside the 20-yard line with 26, and also led the league in punts resulting in a fair catch with 29.
🛫Montana 🛬NYC @travisbenham2 ➡️ @nyjets ‼️#GoGriz // #NextLevelGriz pic.twitter.com/dcaGghUmbJ
— Montana Griz Football (@MontanaGrizFB) April 28, 2024
After transferring to UM from San Jose State, Benham averaged 40.5 yards on 67 punt attempts, 11th best in Griz history. He totaled 2,707 yards punting, the second-most yards in the Big Sky. His season-long punt was 60 yards, coming in a game against Utah State.
