Ohio State '23 OH OL (RS FR) - Luke Montgomery

Luke Montgomery is taking his time with his recruitment as he considers eight of the nation's top programs, but he's already being recruited by new Ohio State commit Ty Lockwood. https://t.co/q3H06tsw5T

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) August 22, 2021

 

Sonny Styles didn't allow a catch against him, Luke Montgomery didn't look like a rookie at left tackle and Cormani McClain snagged three picks in their season openers on Friday. https://t.co/VgZWOla28F

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) August 22, 2021

MONTGOMERY SHINES AT LEFT TACKLE
FINDLAY – While Garrick watched the state of Ohio’s top prospect in the 2023 class on Friday night, I was watching the state’s third-best prospect, Luke Montgomery, make his first-ever start for Findlay High School on the offensive line – the position he’s being recruited to play by Ohio State and many of college football’s other top programs even though he’s primarily played defensive line before this year.

If I hadn’t known that going in, I wouldn’t have guessed that Montgomery was playing his first game at left tackle. He looked like a natural at the position in Findlay’s 24-14 win over Anthony Wayne, starting right off the bat with the game’s very first play, when Montgomery drove a defender about 10 yards downfield and pancaked him into the ground. And that was just one example of Montgomery putting his opponent in the ground on Friday night.

Montgomery was both impactful as a run blocker and effective as a pass protector on Friday, and he should only get better in both areas as he gains more experience playing the position. His quick feet, natural power and high motor all stood out Friday as he played on both sides of the ball. Anthony Wayne rarely ran the ball in his direction when he was in the game at defensive end, but he did make one strong run stop at the line of scrimmage and also showed he could bring pressure as a third-down pass-rusher – though he’s unlikely to play on defense in college, at least if he goes to Ohio State.

His energy and love for his team was also apparent on Friday. He was quick to go celebrate with his teammates any time they made a big play, and he was a hype man for the student section too, running over after Findlay scored a go-ahead touchdown to take a 21-14 lead in the third quarter and firing them up with a scream of “Let’s fucking go!”

I wrote more extensively about Montgomery and the recruiting process, which he’s taking his time with, in a full article on the four-star junior published Sunday morning. Ohio State remains at the forefront of his recruitment, but so are other top programs like Penn State, Notre Dame, Michigan, Clemson, Alabama, Georgia and Oklahoma – and the first game of his junior season was further validation that he should be a top target for Greg Studrawa and the Buckeyes in the 2023 class.

 

Watch my video interviews with #OhioState 2023 O-tackle target @lukeMonty8 and his 2025 QB brother @RyanMonty2025 who already has Power 5 offers. https://t.co/mmphVxAxGv

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) August 23, 2021

 

2023 Top 100 OL Luke Montgomery had a very busy summer. He visited double-digit schools and those led to who he plans to see this fall.

Where does he plan to be in the coming months and where does he stand with the process? https://t.co/NztMSAPZHt (On3+) pic.twitter.com/UoJQePrJMl

— ChadSimmons (@ChadSimmons_) August 25, 2021

 

Today is the first day coaches can directly contact 2023 recruits. We highlight some of the prospects who should be first on the list for Ohio State to talk to. https://t.co/nRpH7Xei1Y

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 1, 2021

LUKE MONTGOMERY, OFFENSIVE LINE
Well, guess I kind of spoiled that one, eh? The No. 3 prospect in the state of Ohio should certainly get a call from Ohio State on Wednesday, as the Buckeyes have made no secret about their desire to add the Findlay High School product to their offensive line since they offered him in February.

As of now, it’s believed Ohio State is the front runner for the 6-foot-5, 260-pound lineman, who is rated the 59th-best prospect in the class per 247Sports’ composite rankings. Montgomery has already visited Ohio State three times over the summer and plans to attend two OSU home games: The Sept. 11 home opener against Oregon and the Oct. 30 game against Penn State. Montgomery also said in August he expected to receive plenty of calls from offensive line coach Greg Studrawa and other OSU coaches once Sept. 1 rolled around.

 

After a great call I am soooo excited and blessed to receive an offer to play football at Clemson University!!!!2 Tim 4:17 #gotigers @ClemsonFB @OLCoachCaldwell pic.twitter.com/qx1EtICYpu

— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) September 2, 2021

 

ND-OSU battle for Montgomery?
When it comes to the 2023 recruiting class on the football side of things, you could make an argument that four-star offensive tackle Luke Montgomery of Findlay (OH) is one of the most important targets for Ohio State.

By the looks of it, it’s quickly beginning to seem as if the Buckeyes will have to outlast Notre Dame if they want to be on the receiving edge of Montgomery’s commitment. According to Chad Simmons of On3, Montgomery visited the Irish this weekend to take in Notre Dame’s Top 10 matchup and ultimate defeat against Cincinnati. But the bigger news for Simmons was that Montgomery is also planning to take another trip to South Bend “soon,” which would make for his sixth visit to Notre Dame.

While their is no reason to panic for Ohio State, as all indications are that they are in very good shape with Montgomery, it is worth noting all of the stops to check out Brian Kelly’s program. Nonetheless, the Buckeyes still are on the receiving end of the lone 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction for the No. 59 overall player and the third best player from the state of Ohio.

 

An update on where things stand with Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8)

Talked decision timeline, upcoming visits and other neat things.https://t.co/nBXTPHX9BY

— Zack Carpenter (@Zack_Carp) October 15, 2021

 

55 Luke Montgomery in pass protection. pic.twitter.com/WL0x7Sc1dY

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) October 16, 2021

 

#ohiostate target 55 Luke Montgomery double teamed rushing passer. pic.twitter.com/OLrK9ME97K

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) October 15, 2021

 

On @Bucknuts247 watch top 2023 O-lineman and #OhioState target @lukeMonty8 talk #Buckeyes and more on his recruitment. VIP https://t.co/bqiIVl8NLY @OSUCoachKDub

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) October 16, 2021

 

After a great call I am blessed and excited to receive an offer to play football at The University of Ole Miss @OleMissFB @Lane_Kiffin @CoachThornton61 Luke 1:37 pic.twitter.com/1WRwoDBQrP

— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) October 20, 2021

 

Big brother, @lukeMonty8. pic.twitter.com/b19QCugt9n

— Mick Walker (@mickdwalker) November 6, 2021

 

Findlay 38, Dublin Coffman 8: The Montgomery brothers already led Findlay to its first postseason win in 16 years last week. Might as well make it two in a row, right? No. 6 Findlay took down No. 14 Dublin Coffman 38-8 Friday, thus ending the season of 2023 defensive tackle Will Smith Jr. Ryan Montgomery completed 14 of 18 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns, while his older brother Luke finished with five tackles and one sack on the evening. Findlay will play No. 2 Springfield, which has a 2023 wide receiver target in Anthony Brown (even though he’s a Minnesota commit), on Friday at Spartan Stadium in Lima.

 

No. 55 ⁦@lukeMonty8⁩ in pass protection. pic.twitter.com/Ko6rjkhfun

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) November 13, 2021

 

Major Buckeyes 2023 line target Luke Montgomery is back at Ohio Stare today.

— Jeremy Birmingham (@Birm) November 13, 2021

 

Luke Montgomery is no. 58 in the 2023 On3 Consensus and he will be at Clemson next weekend for his first game.

He spent time at Clemson in June. https://t.co/QUYHpVGXLc pic.twitter.com/fFZ7mcFott

— ChadSimmons (@ChadSimmons_) November 14, 2021