By: Kennedy Choo
At 11–1 and leading one of the nation’s top FCS offenses, Keali‘i Ah Yat has become the newest (but somewhat familiar) face of Montana football. His rise to the starting job and into the hearts of Grizzly Nation began years earlier in Kāne‘ohe parks, at mainland camps, and in a father’s shadow that he is now leaving behind.
With fields closed and seasons canceled because of the pandemic, Keali‘i and his father, then a Kamehameha-Kapālama offensive coordinator and former Montana All-American quarterback Brian Ah Yat, turned public parks into their training ground.
“We took advantage of that to develop his body and his craft,” Brian said. “We’d go out to the park and work on his QB skills.”
Searching for greater exposure, the Ah Yats traveled to mainland camps. One stop was Missoula, Montana, where Brian had led the Grizzlies to the 1996 National Championship. Under the eye of head coach Bobby Hauck, Keali‘i showed flashes of the same precision that defined his father’s career.
“At camp, we saw that he had all the throws, he was accurate, consistent and all that,” Hauck said. “All he needed was experience.”
Armed with a newfound confidence, Keali‘i returned to Hawai‘i for his first full varsity season and delivered a 3–3 record, 10 passing touchdowns, 3 rushing, and a 346-yard performance in an upset of powerhouse St. Louis School. His play earned All-Hawai‘i Open Division honorable mention, and eventually his first Division I offer—fittingly, from Montana. Northern Colorado offered Keali‘i a couple of weeks later, but he was set on the Grizz.
“They were the only team that really kept up with me and wanted me,” Keali‘i said. “They preached to me that they wanted me for the player that I was, not because of my dad.”
After his junior season, Keali‘i committed to the Grizzlies, honoring the loyalty and carrying on his father’s legacy.
“It was a very proud moment for me and my wife,” Brian said. “It’s kind of surreal, playing the same position at the same school, very blessed for this opportunity.”
Montana has had quite the pipeline from the Aloha State dating back to the 1960s, when ‘Aiea High School graduate Tu‘ufuli Uperesa became the first Polynesian player to suit up for the Grizzlies. On the 2025 roster, six players hail from the islands, including former Kahuku High School running back and three-time state champion Malae Fonoti, as well as safety Micah Harper, son of former Rainbow Warrior defensive back Kenny Harper. Montana also has two coaches on staff with island ties: General Manager and former Baldwin Head Coach Jimmy Morimoto, and former Rainbow Warrior Kim McCloud, who oversees Hawai‘i recruiting.
“It’s great,” Morimoto said. “Player or coach, it doesn’t really matter. We all rely on each other; we talk story; sometimes our pidgin comes out. We have some players come to my house to have a local meal my wife cooks.”
One of the main draws to the program is the family atmosphere Montana provides. With a coaching staff from the islands, players from Hawai‘i have a place that feels like home in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, according to Morimoto.
When Keali‘i first touched down in Missoula, he was ready to be under center for Hauck and the Grizzlies.
“He went from the scout team to the backup in a matter of weeks,” Morimoto said. “That happened real quick in the football world.”
Keali‘i played sparingly in his true freshman season, seeing action in three games, including an appearance in the 2023 FCS title game against South Dakota State. He went 6-for-7 for 47 yards, playing cleanup minutes in a 23–3 blowout in favor of the Jackrabbits — but he was still able to preserve his redshirt year.
In his redshirt freshman season, Keali‘i split starting reps with Fresno State transfer Logan Fife, finishing with 1,280 yards of offense, seven passing touchdowns, and seven rushing touchdowns, breaking Montana’s previous record for quarterback rushing scores.
“I’m taking every experience that I have and learning from it, especially last year having limited reps,” Keali‘i said.
Now, as the full-time starter, Keali‘i has the Grizzlies at 11–0 — their best start since 2009 and ranked No. 2 in the FCS poll. He is third in the country in passing yards (2,968) and sixth in touchdowns (24).
“I’m taking full advantage of this opportunity and I’m super grateful for it,” Keali‘i said.
Brian, who also took over at quarterback in his redshirt sophomore year, sees other similarities. Both quarterbacks are 6-foot, 190 pounds, both are mobile, improvising playmakers, and both have benefited from strong supporting casts.
But Brian won a national championship — the only difference — for now.
Montana takes on South Dakota State in the second round of the FCS Playoffs at 9 a.m. Hawai‘i time this Saturday on ESPN.
