Polson's Henriksen starts Griz camp

The University of Montana Grizzlies football team started camp Aug. 7 and one Polson resident will be a part of a team looking for a resurgence this season.

Braunson Henriksen is a redshirt freshman defensive lineman at Montana, starting his career last year on the sidelines as a redshirt.

While he recorded no stats due to his redshirt status, he will be starting his true freshman season this year with a chance at making special teams.

Henriksen might not be as well known in the Garden City, but residents on the south end of Flathead Lake remember him well as an All-State and All-Conference defensive lineman for Polson High School in his senior season.

He was a multiposition and multisport athlete, earning reps at offensive line for the Pirates in addition to getting a letter in basketball.

He announced his commitment to the Griz on Dec. 8, 2021, after receiving interest from rival Montana State and NAIA’s Montana Western.

Henriksen is one of just a handful of Polson High alums to make the Grizzlies roster, with Matt Rensvold most recently listed on the roster last year, earning some time playing in the Grizzlies 49-26 playoff loss against the North Dakota State Bison.

Rensvold is not listed on the roster this year, making Henriksen the only Polson resident listed on Montana’s player directory.

Other recent former Pirates include Tanner Wilson who was most recently on the roster in 2018 as quarterback. Wilson was off the roster by his true freshman year. His younger brother, Jarrett, is headed to Montana Tech after setting football records at Polson High School this year.

Henriksen will now get to compete for minutes on special teams with the hopes of moving up the depth chart on defense. Montana lost three All-American defensive players to graduation and will look to find some depth at the interior defensive line and competition for the starting defensive end spots.