'23 OH DE - Luke Montgomery

Rivals.com
24/7Sports

STRONGSIDE DEFENSIVE END
6'5''|260 LBS
CLASS OF 2023

 

Luke Montgomery has Ohio State interest, huge recruiting expectations https://t.co/WFLsFuK6rq

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) July 6, 2020

 

The Hurry-Up: We spotlight Luke Montgomery as one of Ohio’s top rising prospects, the impact of Caleb Williams picking OU and top-10 lists for Gi’Bran Payne and Domani Jackson. https://t.co/eolXCN2T4t

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) July 5, 2020

MONTGOMERY ON THE RISE
Some might say it’s a bit too early to begin diving talking about the 2023 class, with Ohio State still looking to wrap up its 2021 class and with the 2022 class still being a secondary focus.

We don’t see it that way. With the recruiting dead period still in effect and the Buckeyes’ top five or six targets in the 2021 class still in a holding pattern without being able to visit, and with 2022 recruiting in a similar holding pattern because of the inability for Ohio State to evaluate those players in person, it gives us some extra time to look even further down the road.

We’ve done this already with Mentor High School defensive end Brenan Vernon and Ironton High School athlete Trevor Carter, but a third player who is a candidate to wind up as one of Ohio’s top-ranked players in the 2023 class is Findlay High School’s Luke Montgomery.

Montgomery is a 6-foot-5, 260-pounder who is listed as a strongside defensive end, but being so young and with where he’s at in his development, there's a bit of a difference in opinion between programs in where they project the rising sophomore.

“Some schools want me for defensive tackle or defensive end. Some schools want to see me at offensive tackle also,” Montgomery told Eleven Warriors. “OSU, as of now, sees me at offensive tackle, but they also could see me as a DT/DE hybrid – maybe even tight end, but we will have to see.”

The main teams Montgomery says have shown “a lot of interest” include Ohio State, West Virginia, Indiana, Michigan State, Toledo, Wisconsin, Purdue, Penn State and Notre Dame, in addition to Western Michigan, the only team who has offered him thus far.

“Also, Alabama’s offensive line coach, (Kyle Flood), has followed me some, and I will be in contact with him some – hopefully soon,” Montgomery said. “I have been in contact with OSU a lot, including Coach (Tim) Hinton, who came to my basketball practice one time, and I’ve been talking with him a lot and I’ve also been trying to get to talking to Coach (Greg Studrawa). Last spring, I went to a practice and talked to Coach Stud, Coach (Kevin) Wilson, Coach Hinton, and I even talked to Coach (Ryan) Day for a little.”

As many loyal readers know, we love body transformation stories here at Eleven Warriors (for reference, our stories on Paris Johnson Jr., Miyan Williams and Grant Toutant), and Montgomery has been undergoing one of his own this offseason, losing 16 pounds and replacing it with lean muscle.

“Things have been going great,” Montgomery said. “I’ve transformed my body a lot. I’m faster, stronger and can even jump a lot higher. The weight has been a priority to me, and I’ve seen lots of good change.

“I’m not sure (what my vertical is at). I would estimate around 26 (inches), I believe, and I’m just a lot stronger and faster.”

Those gains (and losses) in the weight room have put him in a good position going forward as his high school career and recruitment are starting to gain momentum.

“Lots of coaches have given me advice, and I’m just going to stay humbled and keep working hard and take my time during recruiting,” Montgomery said. “I’ve been blessed and humbled to be in a position to be even recognized by these schools. I’m super excited for the next couple of years!”

 

Check out Luke Montgomery C/O 2023 DE Findlay HS by Luke Montgomery on @hudl https://t.co/gWWUzQFLga #hudl

— OSUBasketballJunkie (@ScarletBuckeye2) July 6, 2020

 

Truly Blessed to receive an invite to The Elite Underclassmen future 50 All American Camp!!! @DemetricDWarren @TheUCReport @BillBankGreene @FootballFindlay pic.twitter.com/mWs2ZKuCey

— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) June 19, 2020

 

A top young Ohio lineman, @lukeMonty8, and the #Buckeyes are staying in contact often. FREE https://t.co/fNgOsrOakp

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) June 28, 2020

 

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Some early names to know in Ohio's 2023 football class from @MickDWalker https://t.co/RFJ3HjCqTj

— BuckeyeScoop (@BuckeyeScoop) July 5, 2020

 

Currently 6’5 257 Pounds!!! Meant my goal of being in the 250’s! pic.twitter.com/DYFcI09R1C

— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) July 22, 2020

 

#OhioState contact with Ohio lineman picking up. VIP https://t.co/o3cKDniYaV

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) August 23, 2020

 

A top young Ohio lineman is thinking #OhioState, #PennState and some others. VIP https://t.co/gMcQFYzWsm

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) September 28, 2020

 

Another great Birthday blessing! Excited to have earned a offer to play football at Cincinnati!!! @Mason_BM @CoachFick 1 Peter 5:7 pic.twitter.com/IJ6q20DL1Y

— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) October 5, 2020

 

What a great birthday blessing! I am exciting to announce that I have received a offer from Penn State University! @CoachTrautFB @EThatchRC @CoachTHowle @HeidiErb @coachjfranklin 2 Timothy 3:16 pic.twitter.com/5pJOR79q9H

— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) October 5, 2020

 

After a great call I am blessed to receive an offer to play football at West Virginia University #takemehomecountryroads @NealBrown_WVU @CoachWright37 @ColemanBarnes Isaiah 41:10 pic.twitter.com/Wz4AX40EPe

— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) October 7, 2020

 

Very much impressed by Findlay sophomore lineman Luke Montgomery. One of Ohio's top 2023 prospects. Added offers from #Cincinnati #WVU and #PennState this week. https://t.co/UMQMISnDFl

— Bill Greene (@BillBankGreene) October 9, 2020

 

Check out this highlight! https://t.co/1Ub0Y3WWHQ

— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) October 11, 2020

 

After a great call I am very blessed and excited to receive an offer to play Football at Michigan State University @CoachRonBurton @Coach_mtucker @CoachMikeTress #gogreengowhite Psalms 8 3-4 pic.twitter.com/QWtlJqp8dc

— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) October 16, 2020

 

Great day at Cincinnati!!!! #gobearcats @UC_Recruiting pic.twitter.com/uBPHIHt6xL

— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) November 28, 2020

 

I am very blessed and thrilled to receive a offer from one of the most energetic teams in college football! @IUCoachSheridan @OLCoachHiller @CoachAllenIU @IndianaFootball Proverbs 3:5 pic.twitter.com/ZPpgho3DyS

— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) December 8, 2020