At this point, Findlay, Ohio four-star quarterback Ryan Montgomery is no stranger to how things operate at Ohio State.
Having already seen campus and the team’s facilities on a plethora of occasions via visits and recruiting camps, his sessions of late have been about developing as a player more than anything else. The 6-3, 205-pound signal caller has felt a lot of improvement in his assuredness under center.
“I just feel so much more comfortable in the pocket,” Montgomery said. “I know what I’m doing, I know the reason why what I’m doing is what I’m doing. I’ve spent a lot of time breaking down games, learning to read defenses. So I feel really comfortable and I’m super excited for this upcoming season.”
Alongside that, the in-state star ranked No. 196 overall in the 247Sports composite is feeling his bond build with not just quarterbacks coach Corey Dennis but head coach Ryan Day and the entire Ohio State staff.
“My relationship with Coach Dennis is really strong right now,” Montgomery said. “I’m on the phone with him a bunch, I’ve been here (Ohio State’s campus) a bunch of times in my life. Sometimes it’s just second nature coming here. I know my way around. I love seeing the coaching staff, Coach Day, Coach Dennis, Coach Mick (Marotti).”
It hadn’t been that long since Montgomery was on the Columbus-based campus, as he partook in a workout with a crop of other top quarterback prospects at Ohio State’s one-day recruiting camp June 15. That group included fellow Buckeye target and Ohioan Tavien St. Clair (6-3, 210), a three-star out of Bellefontaine.
Both in observing Montgomery at the workout and hearing him speak at 7-on-7s, it wasn’t his best day at the camp. His deep ball looked much sharper Wednesday, as he uncorked multiple bombs more than 40 yards in the air in Findlay’s final pool play matchup against Olentangy Orange. The Trojans scored touchdowns on four of their five possessions with Montgomery at quarterback.
“One thing that Coach Dennis pointed out to me when I was working out here a couple of days ago was that I was overthinking it a bit too much,” Montgomery said. “My throwing motion was a little robotic. He just wants me to throw the ball. He knows I can spin it.”
Speaking of St. Clair, Montgomery is a fan of the fact that the Buckeyes are able to target two quarterbacks from Ohio.
“It just goes to show that Ohio has some dogs playing football,” Montgomery said. “Me and Tavien are super close. I love that kid. Super hard worker, obviously a great quarterback. He can spin the ball and make all the plays. Being able to be in this process with him, being able to grow a relationship with each other, that’s pretty cool.”
The Buckeyes are still making the signal caller feel like a priority as his recruitment continues ramping up.
“They’ve only offered three kids in my class, so to be one of those kids is a huge blessing,” Montgomery said. “That speaks for itself. They’re not going to go out and offer 20 kids in my class, they’re super selective.”
Time will tell whether the younger brother of Ohio State freshman offensive tackle Luke Montgomery ultimately pledges his services to the Scarlet and Gray.
