Ohio State beats Michigan to get elite OL Luke Montgomery's commitment

Numerous schools pursued Luke Montgomery, and there were four hats on the table Thursday, but it came down to Ohio State and Michigan. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound junior out of Findlay (Ohio) is the No. 35 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry generated average, and the No. 3 interior offensive lineman in the country.

He had Alabama and Clemson hats on the table, and each had his attention, but the home-state Buckeyes beat their rival for the No. 1 prospect in Ohio.

“It wasn’t easy, but I can’t be more excited about my commitment to Ohio State,” Montgomery told On3. “I liked Michigan a lot, and I had some strong connections there, but every time I compared schools, I kept coming back to Ohio State.

“This was the hardest decision I have ever made, but I know this is the best decision for me. I am going t remember this for the rest of my life. Ohio State is where I want to be and I feel great about this decision.”

Montgomery thought about taking his recruitment into the summer. He was already looking at official visits in the spring, but after visits to Ann Arbor and Columbus in January, he knew he was ready.

“I was putting it off for a while, but I knew it was time to commit a couple of weeks ago. The fit at Ohio State is perfect for me. It was on my mind and I know now is the right time to make it happen.

“My parents support me, I feel great about it, and I couldn’t be more excited.”

Ryan Day shares those feelings. Montgomery gave him the news a day after he let his parents in on his decision. The Ohio State head coach let his feelings be known.

“I have talked to coach Day a lot, but I have never heard him that happy. He was thankful, he was pumped, and he was up yelling after I committed to him.

“He welcomed me to the brotherhood and it was a really cool moment.”

Montgomery is going back home

What Day has created in Columbus fit was what Montgomery was looking for. The new Ohio State commit was born in Columbus and he is ready to call it home once again.

“I have taken countless visits to Ohio State and it is 100% a brotherhood,” Montgomery said. “The culture fits me, the environment has everyone so close, and it has always felt like home to me.

“The fans I get to play in front of are great, the players I get to play with are special, this is like a dream coming true for me.”

Montgomery has a strong connection with Day. He has quickly built a relationship with Justin Frye. Now he is ready to add more to the 2023 Ohio State commitment list.

“Coach Day knows he can count on me as a recruiter and my commitment is great, but this is only the start. The journey is just beginning and I am about to recruit, recruit, and recruit.

“My goal is to make this the best class in the country. I am going go after guys like Richard Young, AJ Harris, Troy Bowles, Payton Kirkland, Chase Bisontis, and others. It is different at Ohio State and I am going to work to get others to be part of the brotherhood.”