This fourth-year left guard at Ohio State is playing the position better than almost anyone else in the country, yet Luke Montgomery still isn’t getting the buzz he deserves. While names like Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin, Bo Jackson, and Kenyatta Jackson Jr. dominate the talk, Montgomery has quietly become one of college football’s most reliable and technically sound offensive linemen. After four years of steady, patient development, 2026 is absolutely shaping up as the year he finally gets that credit.
From Two-Way Prospect to Buckeye Anchor
Montgomery’s journey to Columbus was anything but a straight line, and that’s exactly why his development is so captivating. Coming out of Findlay High School, he wasn’t just some offensive lineman. This guy bounced between tight end, defensive line, and tackle throughout his prep career. But Ohio State knew what they had, offering him as an offensive tackle even before he played a full game at the position. Talk about believing in a player! Montgomery ultimately committed to the Buckeyes, choosing them over Michigan, Notre Dame, Clemson, and Alabama. He wrapped up his recruitment as the No. 49 overall player and the No. 4 offensive tackle nationally in the 247Sports Composite for the 2023 class, literally the top-ranked player in the state of Ohio that cycle. His path to the field wasn’t instant, either, which makes the “underappreciated” label fit so perfectly. As a true freshman in 2023, he saw action in only seven games, mostly in a depth role. The real turning point? Ohio State’s national championship run in 2024. That’s when the coaching staff began trusting him in a rotational spot at guard during their playoff push. He put in 180 snaps and made his first two career starts as Ohio State battled through Tennessee, Texas, Oregon, and Notre Dame to hoist that trophy.
The Numbers Behind the Reputation
That late-season surge as a redshirt freshman set the stage for a monster 2025. Montgomery took over as the full-time starter at left guard and never looked back, playing all 14 games and logging 870 total snaps. The dude earned every bit of that reward, pulling in second-team All-Big Ten honors from both the coaches and media, plus second-team All-American recognition from the American Football Coaches Association. And here’s where the “underrated” argument absolutely gets its teeth: during the 2025 regular season, Luke Montgomery didn’t allow a single sack. Not one! Across 366 pass-blocking snaps, he surrendered a mere 10 total pressures. That’s an absolutely outstanding number for an interior lineman in a Power Four conference, especially when he’s playing nearly every meaningful snap. In the run game, his Pro Football Focus grade on zone runs was even more eye-opening: an 85.2 mark that ranked seventh-best among all offensive linemen in the Power Four, regardless of position.
So, what’s next? Everything! This is the year Montgomery steps out of the shadows and becomes a household name for college football fans who actually pay attention. Keep an eye on him. Big things are coming in 2026.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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