FINDLAY — Heavily recruited Findlay High School junior football lineman Luke Montgomery announced his commitment to Ohio State University on Thursday during a gathering at the Trojans' gym.
Montgomery, a 6-foot-5, 270-pounder recruited primarily as an offensive tackle, also has potential to play at other offensive line spots, or on the defensive line.
He chose coach Ryan Day’s Buckeyes from a final group schools whose hats were placed in front of him on a table. The others were Michigan, Notre Dame, Clemson, and Alabama.
After announcing his choice, Montgomery, revealed he chose OSU two weeks ago over Michigan and Clemson. Last month, his shortened the list of top prospects, which then included Oklahoma, Penn State, and Southern Cal.
According to 247Sports, Montgomery is the No. 47 rated player overall in the Class of 2023, the No. 4 offensive tackle prospect nationally in his class, and No. 1 at his position in Ohio. Montgomery was a first team Division I All-Ohio offensive line selection this past season for Findlay.
He also had scholarship offers from 27 other D-I programs.
That group consisted of reigning national champion Georgia, Toledo, Auburn, Cincinnati, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Miami (Ohio), Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Stanford, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and Western Michigan.
“The deciding factor was definitely that it was an hour and 30 minutes away, and I can come back [to Findlay] and watch my siblings play,” Montgomery said. One of those is his freshman brother Ryan, who was the Trojans' quarterback this past season and has seven Division I football scholarship offers of his own.
“Every time I went [to OSU], I knew that's where I wanted to be,” Montgomery said. “It was time to commit and make it official.”
He admitted his decision was not an easy one.
“It was so close,” he said, “but I would ask myself, ‘How does this [other school] compare to Ohio State?’
“Columbus is a great city. I was born there, and lived there for about 10 months of my life before we moved to Findlay. I've always been an Ohio kid, and I grew up an Ohio State Buckeye fan. An Ohio kid being able to play for his home [state] team is pretty amazing.”
Before announcing his choice to the crowd of a few hundred Findlay schoolmates and faculty members, Montgomery expressed gratitude to the people who helped make his big day possible.
“I've grown up in a Christian-based family, and that's helped me tremendously in my life,” Montgomery said. “I'd like to thank my mom and dad for supporting me. They're the best role models in my life. Without them, I wouldn't be sitting here today.
“I'd also like to thank all the coaches who have helped me become a better young man, on and off the field. And, I'd like to thank the community of Findlay for always being behind my teammates' and my back. With that being said, I would like to commit to ... Ohio State.”
Montgomery stood up and removed his jacket to unveil a black Ohio State T-shirt, then donned the OSU hat while his family members stripped off jackets to reveal red OSU T-shirts with the word “FAMILY” on the front.
Equally as happy two weeks ago, according to Montgomery, was OSU’s Day when the four-star lineman recruit phoned him to announce that Ohio State was his choice.
“He was really nervous when I called him the morning I wanted to commit,” Montgomery said. “He didn't know whether I was going to commit or tell him I was going to another school. I heard him scream over the phone. He was really excited.”
Now that the recruiting process has concluded, a relieved Montgomery will turn his focus to the Findlay basketball team as it approaches Division I sectional tournament play next week.
“I'm super glad to have this over with,” Montgomery said. “I plan to go into my senior year having fun with all my teammates and, hopefully, win state.”
He plans to graduate a semester early on Dec. 28, and enroll at Ohio State on Jan. 8 of 2023 after playing in a nationally televised All-American game. He isn't sure which line position the Buckeyes' coaching will want him in, but will arrive with a specific goal in mind.
“I'd like to play tackle, but I'm open to any of the positions for sure,” Montgomery said. “Whatever gets me on the field the fastest. They see me as a swing tackle. I'll start out on the outside and, if that doesn't go as well, I'll go inside. I'm pretty positive I can play tackle.”
With Luke's recruiting journey having hit its conclusion, father Mike Montgomery, a former Findlay High School and Miami (Ohio) football player, will turn much of his attention to assisting Ryan on his recruiting trail over the next two years.
“I couldn't be happier for Luke,” Mike said. “He found his home, and we're very confident that's the right fit for him — with the academics, the program, and the coaching. He's super excited and we're super excited.
“It was a long process, but a very good process. Everything was a blessing to go through all of that attention. He had a tough decision to make. But we're confident it's the right one.”
Dad is as relieved as his son.
“It's nice that it's over,” Mike Montgomery said. “He's excited about helping to recruit the class [of 2023 for OSU]. By trait, he's a natural leader, and he wants to do that. It's behind him and he can focus on finishing high school strong, and getting ready for next football season for Findlay.”
Ryan Montgomery, whose offers are from Toledo, Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, and Tennessee, was thrilled to see his brother announce his choice.
“It's awesome,” Ryan said. “He's worked so hard for this, and it's awesome to see his dreams come true. He's been a Buckeye fan pretty much all of his life, and so have I. After every visit, no matter where he went, he was always comparing that school to Ohio State.”
Ryan said his brother's choice of OSU will not impact his recruiting process.
“It doesn't really influence me,” Ryan said. “Obviously, the idea of playing together in college would be pretty awesome. But, at the end of the day, I'm going to go to the best place that fits me. He's going to Ohio State because that's what best fits him.”
First Published February 17, 2022, 7:30 p.m.
