UNION CITY — After a weekend recruiting trip to the University of Montana, James Logan High offensive lineman Blake Lebeau was sold.

"The atmosphere was great, the fans are fanatics ... everything there was Grizzlies' stuff, and that rubbed off on me."

Lebeau, who was one of the biggest offensive linemen in the Mission Valley Athletic League at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, has since given a verbal commitment. The earliest he can sign is Feb.6. But don't expect Lebeau to change his mind.

"It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders," Lebeau said. "Now I can go back to enjoying my senior year. I don't have to worry about editing tapes and contacting coaches."

It's likely Lebeau — if he elects not to use a redshirt year — will be the backup guard. And if things go well, he'll be in line for a starting position the following season.

"The offensive line coach told me I've got a starting spot that's mine for the taking," Lebeau said.

Lebeau began playing football as a freshman. He played one year on the junior varsity team and was a two-year varsity player. This year he was first-team all-MVAL, playing on a line for a team that rushed for 3,768 yards.

"We're all one heartbeat," Lebeau said. "When they get the yards, we get the yards. When Rashad (Evans) breaks off a 90-yard touchdown run, we all get a 90-yard touchdown run."

The Colts went 11-1, 6-0 in MVAL, good enough for a second straight league title. Logan's season ended in the semifinals of the North Coast Section 4-A playoffs with a 27-9 loss to California.

"We were still proud of ourselves," Lebeau said. "We could have gone to (McAfee) Coliseum (for the 4-A final) but it didn't fall the way we wanted it to."

Lebeau joins a Montana team which went 11-1, 8-0 in the Big Sky Conference. The season ended for the Grizzlies with a 23-22 loss to Wofford in the first round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.