Trevin Gradney's Legacy 37 Journey In Grizzly Football

Meet the Griz is a series where we tell the stories of Montana Grizzlies athletes, coaches and contributors.

Meet Trevin Gradney - Griz Football's 2024 Legacy #37 Player

Earlier this week, Clay Oven became the next Legacy #37 Griz Football player. He is just the second Billings native to wear the jersey.

The first?

Last year's #37, Trevin Gradney.

Gradney (left) with the ceremonial #37 passing to Oven (right). Credit: University of Montana Athletics

Gradney spent 5 seasons with the Grizzly Football program (2019-2024). The former First Team All-Big Sky cornerback suited up for 54 games, but one game sticks out above the rest:

The 2023 FCS Semifinal game VS North Dakota State.

"Yeah, I would say so," Gradney confirmed that the questions he receives the most from Griz fans are about the 2023 FCS Semifinal thriller against the Bison.

"But how could it not be? It was monumental for the University, and nobody thought we were gonna be able to do that that year. Taking that loss week 4 at NAU, and everybody thought, 'Oh, here we go again. Another season down the drain,' but credit to those seniors and the team as a whole. Nobody stopped believing."

The 2023 season was as special as it gets.

The Griz lost as heavy favorites early in the year in Flagstaff against the Lumberjacks, and Trevin was right. There were a lot of people who gave up on the Griz, but instead of rolling over and dying, Montana strung together an epic season that included 4 consecutive home games at the end of the season.

(W) 37-7 VS #2 Montana State
(W) 49-19 VS #11 Delaware
(W in OT) 35-28 VS #7 Furman
(W in 2OT) 31-29 VS #8 North Dakota State

Trevin will go down in Griz lore for being featured prominently in one of the most iconic images in Grizzly Football history.

Gradney celebrates the epic 2OT win VS NDSU. Credit: Montana Athletics

I asked Gradney if he realized how special this photo is.

"Yeah, right after the game when I saw it, when I was going home with my roommates, I saw it on Twitter, I think, and it still gives me goosebumps even thinking about it, you describing it, and looking at it."

"Yeah, I 100% agree with you, it truly is one of the better pictures that has ever been taken in that stadium," said Gradney.

By the way, the image was taken by Coral Scoles-Coburn, and Gradney gave her the recognition she deserves on The Daily Drive with Ace Sauerwein podcast.

You can listen to Trevin here.

Those were Gradney's glory days. The former #37 joked he's all washed up now, which I beg to differ, but that's a conversation for a different time.

Now, it's time he passes on the iconic jersey number. He chose fellow Billings native Clay Oven.

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"I decided it was gonna be Clay, probably, a couple months ago," said Gradney. "It is ultimately the former's decision, but there's so much that kind of goes into it. I was in constant contact and met with the guy who gave it to me, Levi Janacaro, and the guy who gave it to him, Marcus Welnel."

Levi Janacaro celebrates after a Griz win. Credit: UM Photo/Tommy Martino

Marcus Welnel played from 2018-2022. Credit: University of Montana Athletics

After conferring with Janacaro and Welnel, chatting with the coaches, and catching a few practices, Gradney knew it was Oven.

"Everybody saw something in Clay, that I also saw. Just great potential, a really, really tough kid, but a really, really good kid."

The story of how Gradney passed it off is a great listen. I highly recommend you listen to the interview posted above to hear it.