HELENA, Mont. — Carroll College announced their 2026 College Football signing class on Friday with a total of 26 new recruits officially joining the Fighting Saints program led by Head Coach Troy Purcell.
The list features 10 Montanans including three local products with receivers Joey Mergenthaler (Capital High) and Hayden Paddock (East Helena High), joining punter Riley Schulte (Helena High) as part of the 2026 class.
Mergenthaler was a two time state champion on the gridiron for Capital while also having a stellar prep track and field career.
Paddock was a two time all-state performer for the Vigilantes and was a key contributor in East Helena’s first ever playoff berth that ended with them making it to the semi-finals.
Schulte was an all-state punter as well as an all-state and all-conference defensive back for the Bengals as well as a decorated track and field athlete.
Other recruits from Montana in the Saints 2026 recruiting class include brothers Blake and Brady Williams from Big Sky, former Gallatin Raptor kicker Eddie Balanco, Frenchtown’s Bailey Corrette, Beaverhead County linebacker Hank Hagenbarth (that just sounds like a linebacker, Red Lodge halfback Grayson Oley, and Three Forks product Wyt Oliver.
The class also features athletes from Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.