Montana Grizzlies record-breaker Michael Wortham was signed to an NFL rookie free agent contract on Saturday by the Jacksonville Jaguars.<\/p>\n
Wortham did not hear his name called during the 2026 NFL draft but will have a shot to make the Jaguars’ roster by virtue of signing an undrafted rookie deal. UM announced Wortham’s signing via social media.<\/p>\n
Wortham performed well at Montana’s pro day earlier this month. He had a 37\u00bd-inch vertical jump and a three-cone drill time of 6.75 seconds. He ran a 4.48 40. Wortham also worked out for scouts earlier in the offseason at the AFCA FCS Showcase in Nashville, Tenn.<\/p>\n
\u201cMan, it’s a blessing. I can’t believe it. Today marks the day I get to start writing my story for my kids and everyone else in my family I can help motivate. This is just nothing short of a blessing. I’m super happy, and I\u2019m just emotional right now,\u201d Wortham stated in a UM press release.
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\u201cI was super anxious (during the draft), just moving around a lot and I couldn\u2019t really sit still. But as soon as I got that call, it was awesome. I didn\u2019t really have words, I just hugged everyone and I\u2019m just super grateful for the opportunity Jacksonville is giving me.\u00a0
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\u201cNow I\u2019ve just got to keep my head down and keep working. I’ve been overlooked all my life, so this is just another steppingstone. I just got to overcome and prove people wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wortham transferred to Montana from Eastern Washington and played one season with the Grizzlies, etching his name atop the record book as an all-around performer. He finished the 2025 season with 2,431 all-purpose yards, which broke the single-season school record previously set by Marc Mariani in 2008. Wortham finished less than 90 yards from the Big Sky record.<\/p>\n
Wortham had 1,224 receiving yards, 345 rushing yards and 862 combined return yards (kickoff and punt). He had 85 pass receptions, the second-most in a season in UM history, and his 782 kickoff return yards were third-most.<\/p>\n
Wortham received All-America recognition from several publications, including the AFCA, Stats Perform and the Associated Press. He was selected to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl in January. <\/p>\n
The next step for Wortham will be to participate in a forthcoming rookie minicamp with the Jaguars. The dates of Jacksonville’s post-draft rookie minicamp will be circulated at a later date, per the team.<\/p>\n
In other Griz-related NFL news, cornerback Kenzel Lawler earned a minicamp invitation from the Kansas City Chiefs.<\/p>\n
Lawler’s 15 passes defended during the 2025 season led the Big Sky Conference and were seventh-most in the FCS. The former Utah Utes player returned an interception 21 yards for a touchdown in a game against Cal Poly. <\/p>\n
In two years with the Grizzlies spanning 28 games, Lawler had 69 total tackles with 49 solo stops. <\/p>\n