In-State Offensive Lineman Luke Montgomery Commits to Ohio State

Luke Montgomery, an in-state offensive lineman from Findlay, Ohio, announced his pledge to the Buckeyes on Thursday.

Ohio State lands is top target for 2023, as four-star offensive lineman Luke Montgomery officially commits to Ohio State. pic.twitter.com/z7D9VdD2v0

— Garrick Hodge (@Garrick_Hodge) February 17, 2022

Montgomery, who was widely considered to be Ohio State’s No. 1 target in the 2023 class following Sonny Styles’ reclassification to 2022, is ranked as the 49th-best prospect and the fourth-best offensive tackle in the 2023 cycle, per 247Sports’ composite rankings.

Whos next @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/6hZBaOZmp7

— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) February 17, 2022

A 6-foot-5, 270-pound lineman, Montgomery had been a top target for Ohio State for the past year, as he was first offered by the Buckeyes in February 2021 before he had even played a game on the offensive line.

“Pretty crazy,” Montgomery told Eleven Warriors of the offer in February. “Overwhelmed. I’m pretty excited. I didn’t expect it at all. I’m so lost for words. I have so much stuff going on now. It’s been wild. It was crazy. It’s such a blessing. I didn’t expect it at all.”

Montgomery plays both offensive and defensive line for Findlay High School, but he will play on the offensive side of the ball for Ohio State. Notre Dame made a big push for Montgomery, and had some allure because it was recruiting him as a defensive lineman. But the Irish were eliminated from Montgomery's recruitment in mid-January as he decided to focus primarily on playing offensive line at the collegiate level.

In the end, Montgomery trusted the plan that Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and offensive line coach Justin Frye had for him and will embrace playing in the offensive trenches at the next level. At his current frame, Montgomery could play any position on the offensive line including tackle, guard or center. He'll have room to grow as he matures. 

Montgomery visited Ohio State three times this summer and made several game visits to Columbus this fall, including the home opener against Oregon on Sept. 11, a prime-time 33-24 win on Oct. 30 against Penn State and the Purdue game on Nov. 13. Montgomery grew up cheering for Ohio State, but was intrigued by Michigan, Clemson and others.

In the end, staying home was too good for the four-star offensive lineman to pass up. Montgomery, who originally planned to announce a commitment around May, decided to bump up his commitment date and give the Buckeyes good news three months early.

He becomes Ohio State’s fifth commitment in the class and the second in-state offensive lineman, joining Joshua Padilla. He becomes the third overall Ohioan in the class, also joining defensive tackle Will Smith Jr.

In his junior season, Montgomery helped lead Findlay to the school's first playoff win in 16 seasons.