Offensive lineman Luke Montgomery's dream of starting at Ohio State appears within reach

When Luke Montgomery made his Ohio State debut as a true freshman in last year’s opener against Indiana, he felt strangely calm.

“I didn’t feel like I was playing in a game yet, if that makes sense,” Montgomery said Monday. “I was pretty locked in. I felt no anxiousness, no stress, no nothing really.

“I just went in that first game and was like, ‘Shoot, I’m here. Now it’s time to roll.’ It didn’t really hit me. I felt less nervous than I did in high school, and that makes no sense.”

The Findlay native, who starred in football and basketball in high school, was a backup last year. He played in nine games and had 44 snaps.

He’s in position to play a lot more this year.

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The right side of the offensive line remains unsettled, but as spring practice enters its final two weeks Montgomery appears to have the inside track to start at right guard.

“That would mean a lot,” Montgomery said of starting as a sophomore. “You put in a lot of work to play here, and it’s been a dream, being an Ohio kid. From an Ohio kid’s perspective, that’s the biggest wish possible.”

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Montgomery’s natural position is tackle, but incumbent right tackle Josh Fryar remains there. Tegra Tshabola is also competing for a starting spot on the right side of the line.

"It's a little different, for sure," Montgomery said of playing guard. "I'm just getting used to it. Spring ball is all about technique. It's a little faster inside, but I'm enjoying it. I'm having a lot of fun out there, especially with the guys I'm around."

Montgomery isn’t focused on the competition. He simply wants to improve day by day.

“I’ve still got a long way to go with my development,” he said. “I’m working on that every day. I’m through practice nine right now and now I’ve got to go in and see what I need to work on for practice 10. That’s really where I’m at right now.”

The 6-foot-5 Montgomery said he has added about 12-14 pounds under strength coach Mickey Marotti since arriving at Ohio State and now weighs just under 310.

“Coach Mick is doing a great job,” Montgomery said. “You don’t want to gain too much weight because you want to keep your mobility and have that speed still. I’m at a pretty good weight right now where I can still maneuver very well.”

He has made an impression on the defensive linemen he faces in practice.

“I go against him every day,” said defensive tackle Hero Kanu, who was lurking nearby during Montgomery’s session with reporters. “This man is strong. He has basketball feet. It’s not like you can do an inside move (and get past him). He recovers really fast with just the overall strength he has, and he doesn’t give up on a play. He has grit.”

Kanu said he has noticed Montgomery’s improvement every day in practice.

Offensive line coach Justin Frye said it’s important for Montgomery, like all linemen, to learn from his mistakes.

“He’s got a pretty good football IQ so he’s growing every day,” Frye said. “He’s working and he’s getting beat every day, too. He’s learning from those (reps). We have a saying in our room that in the spring it’s yes and it’s know – k-n-o-w. Why didn’t the rep work? How do I make sure I don’t repeat the same mistake.”

Frye said Montgomery is diligent about watching video and asking what he’s doing right and wrong. Montgomery’s basketball background helps with his footwork, but the lineman said sometimes he has to be more aggressive.

“I just need to stay consistent in my work,” Montgomery said. “I think that’s the biggest thing for me – staying consistent and worrying about the next play.”

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Montgomery trying to stake claim at right guard spot for Ohio State