Luke Montgomery is a freshman offensive tackle out of Findlay High School in Findlay, Ohio. He is already enrolled at Ohio State and participated in spring practice and winter workouts for the Buckeyes. Montgomery was ranked the No. 5 interior line prospect in the 2023 class and the No. 2 player in Ohio overall.
Montgomery was an All-State performer and also a High School All-American. He also spent quite a bit of time on the defensive line, though those days are almost certainly done.
What To Like
Luke Montgomery (6-4 298) doesn’t have prototypical tackle size, but given the rest of his skill set, Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye wanted to start him out at offensive tackle.
This spring, Montgomery spent his spring practice time as the No. 3 left tackle. He (No. 51) did pretty well, as you can see from his spring game performance below.
Montgomery is a mobile, physical lineman who is still getting bigger and stronger. His high school history includes time as a tight end, defensive end, and defensive tackle, so he’s showcased a wide array of abilities which he can still draw on as a left tackle.
The physicality is what really stands out about Montgomery, but that is to be expected in high school. Moving forward, technique will have to take over because everybody he will be playing against will have been the best player on their respective high school teams as well.
The Potential
Luke Montgomery could end up anywhere on the offensive line, but it’s always key to find future left tackles, so it was no surprise that Justin Frye got him started on the quarterback’s blind side.
Montgomery’s athleticism and mobility make him a solid candidate as a left tackle. People will question that possibility because he’s “only” 6-foot-4, but his height will be the last thing that determines whether or not he can play the position.
The Expectations
As the top offensive lineman in Ohio during any recruiting cycle, expectations will always be high. That’s the situation Luke Montgomery finds himself in right now.
His name is now in the same lineage as Paris Johnson and Josh Myers, though the results match the expectations only a fraction of the time. That has never slowed down the expectations, however.
Regardless of where Montgomery ends up on the offensive line, he plays with an aggressive edge, which can always be put to use. Even as a pass blocker, he still finds time to get defenders on the ground.
And he’s a tremendous finisher.
The Bottom Line
Luke Montgomery will likely spend his first year at Ohio State as a left tackle, and if all goes as planned with OSU’s more experienced tackles, he’ll be able to ease his way into the mix.
The Buckeyes should be returning their starting tackles in 2024, but a couple of guard jobs may open. Justin Frye will want to find his five best offensive linemen, and if Montgomery can get himself into that group, then his position in 2024 could be inside as a guard.
Paris Johnson was a 5-star offensive tackle but earned his first starting job as a guard. Josh Myers was a 5-star offensive tackle but earned his first starting job as a center. Luke Montgomery’s future is yet to be determined, but his athleticism and physicality will set him up well for when his first true opportunity finally comes.
Previous Closer Look editions
Offensive Lineman Vic Cutler | Wide Receiver Brandon Inniss | Defensive Tackle Kayden McDonald | Cornerback Jermaine Mathews, Jr. | Cornerback Davison Igbinosun | Safety Ja’Had Carter
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