Last year, Eastern Washington University utility player Michael Wortham was selected as an FCS All-American after what was expected to be his final year of college football. However, on Dec. 23, 2024, the NCAA announced that former junior college athletes who transferred to NCAA schools would be granted an extra year of athletic eligibility. 

For his new final season, Wortham transferred to the University of Montana. This year, he has recorded career-best totals in numerous stats while playing like one of the top players in the conference.

On Saturday, Nov. 8, Wortham’s skills were on display against his former team. The Montana receiver entered the game ranked second in the country in all-purpose yards per game with 162.2 yards. He piled up 162 yards on the Eagles while also scoring a receiving touchdown in a Montana victory.

His best game of the season showcased his ability to affect the game from different positions. On Oct. 24, Montana defeated Sacramento State 49-35, and Wortham was named the Stats Perform FCS Offensive Player of the Week. He caught 5 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown playing wide receiver, and also had 89 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns as a running back.

Wortham’s versatility was the key to his success at EWU as well. He played quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and returned kicks for the Eagles en route to 1,615 all-purpose yards during his final year with the team, which ranked tenth in the country. His 1,093 kick-return yards set a new Eastern Washington school record. 

With Montana, Wortham has continued to be an effective returner and has the second-most kick return yards in the conference. However, he has been much more productive on offense. While at EWU, Wortham’s highest rushing yardage total in a season was 313 yards, and his best receiving total was 209 yards. This season, he has run for 237 yards and has 698 receiving yards, the second-most in the Big Sky. 

He is also ranked first in the conference with a career-high 7 receiving touchdowns and 17th with 5 rushing touchdowns. His 12 total touchdowns are the second-most in the conference. The Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-American trails his teammate, running back Eli Gillman, who has 14 touchdowns.

Wortham is 70 yards behind first place in kick return yards and 80 yards behind first place for receiving yards. Montana has two regular-season games remaining for Wortham to attempt to add even more first-place rankings to his breakout season.