Peoples Stays Home, Signs with Montana Tech Orediggers

Butte Central senior quarterback Ryan Peoples made his college plans official this week, signing a National Letter of Intent to continue his football career just up the hill with the Montana Tech Orediggers. The signing keeps one of the Mining City’s top all-around athletes at home and caps a standout prep career that helped push the Maroons back into the Class A playoff picture.

Peoples put pen to paper during a ceremony at Butte Central on Wednesday morning, surrounded by family, teammates, coaches, and classmates. The moment formalized a commitment he first announced in late October, when he shared on social media that he would join Montana Tech’s storied football program.

He leaves Butte Central as one of the most productive quarterbacks in school history. As a senior, he threw for 1,705 yards and 19 touchdowns, guiding the Maroons to their first playoff appearance since 2019 and earning All-State and first-team all-conference honors under center.

Peoples delivered several signature performances, including a five-touchdown passing game at Washington–Grizzly Stadium in a 40-0 win over Ronan that tied a school record for touchdown passes in a game. Over the past two seasons, he developed a reputation for efficiency and poise, completing a high percentage of his throws while spreading the ball to a deep group of Maroon receivers.

His impact has not been limited to the football field. Peoples has also been a key contributor on the basketball court, where he has started and starred for the Maroons. Coaches and teammates point to his competitiveness, leadership, and ability to handle big moments as defining traits of his time in a BC uniform.

At Montana Tech, Peoples is expected to start his college career at quarterback, bringing a strong arm, good mobility, and experience in a pass-heavy offense. The Orediggers have a long track record of developing local talent, and his familiarity with the Mining City and its blue-collar identity should help make for a smooth transition.

For Butte Central, another senior signing with the hometown college is a point of pride for a program that consistently produces college-ready players. For the community, it means fans will still be able to cheer for a familiar name on fall Saturdays at Bob Green Field.

As he trades in his maroon helmet for an Oredigger one, Peoples becomes the latest example of a local athlete turning hard work and hometown roots into a college opportunity. For Ryan, Montana Tech, and Butte, his signing marks the start of an exciting new chapter rather than the end of the story.