There is no question that Tommy Mellott is one of the greatest athletes the Mining City has ever produced.

He is in the conversation when you extend that debate out to cover the entire state. The 2024 Walter Payton Award winner led the Montana State Bobcats to the FCS national championship football game two times.

That came after he became just the second boy at Butte High School to earn 12 varsity letters. He led the Bulldogs to the 2019 Class AA state championship football game. In addition to lettering four years in football, Tommy letter four times in basketball and track.

In Butte, we have long known about Tommy, who first burst onto the scene while competing in Little Guy Football and the Grade School Track Meet. The rest of the state — and beyond — really started paying attention once he began his magical run at Montana State.

Today, Tommy is still a very busy man as he gets ready for next week’s NFL Draft. Where and when will he go? Well, that is hard to say.

We only know that some teams just might be paying more attention to the former Butte High Bulldog after he put up some impressive numbers at the MSU Pro Day on April 4. Tommy posted a vertical jump of 41 inches. He also put up a blazing time of 3.39 seconds in the 40-yard run.

That was the official time, anyway. Tommy knows that he has run faster than that before.

Those of us who have watched Tommy over the years know that he is even faster when he is wearing football pads. While he played quarterback for the Bobcats and Bulldogs, it was often his running ability that blew opponents away.

He can cut on a dime and change directions without slowing down. Once he gets free, not many people on the planet can catch him.

Photos of Mellott courtesy Blake Hempstead.

So, while Tommy has not ruled out playing quarterback, he readied for his pro day by training like he might play receiver. In addition to throwing, he ran receiver drills and fielded punts in front of the scouts.

Tommy said he could envision himself being a player like Taysom Hill of the New Orleans Saints or maybe even Julian Edelman, who was a receiver on his favorite team, the New England Patriots.

Maybe he’ll even be a quarterback.

All I know is that I would never doubt or bet against Tommy. While his athletic ability is off the charts, he is even stronger with his focus, dedication and character.

Listen in to this podcast as Tommy talks about his days playing for the Bobcats and Bulldogs. Listen as he says playing for Arie Grey, the architect behind Butte High’s strength and conditioning program, got him ready to excel at the college level.

Listen as he talks about going to San Diego to train for the pro day in front of the scouts. Listen to hear even after achieving so much fame and success, he is still just Tommy.

This is Tommy’s second appearance on the ButteCast. His first came on episode No. 37 on Dec. 28, 2022.

Today’s podcast is presented by Casagranda’s Steakhouse. Eat where the locals eat.