2025 4-star QB Ryan Montgomery talks top schools and his recruiting timeline

Ryan Montgomery got started with the recruiting process a little earlier than some in the 2025 class. He was along for the ride with his brother, Luke Montgomery, an Ohio State signee in the 2023 class. The younger Montgomery started taking visits as a freshman, he was receiving offers 18 months ago and after getting out and exploring his options, the four-star quarterback out of Findlay (Ohio) and ready to take a big step in his recruitment.

Around 30 schools have offered the 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior and Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Penn State and South Carolina have moved to the top of his list.

“I have been in this for a while now with Luke being my brother, so that sped things up a year starting with him,” Montgomery told On3. “What I have seen on visits and the relationships I have built with schools and staffs and now is the time to narrow it down a little bit.

“I feel comfortable with the schools on my list. Recruiting is like a marathon, so things can change because recruiting changes so fast sometimes, but Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Penn State and South Carolina are the schools I am focused on.”

This cut has been in the works for Montgomery for months. It was in the back of his mind early in the year, then during spring visits, over the summer and this past week as college coaches were permitted to contact recruits in his class. The work the different staffs put in played a big role.

“One of the biggest things for me was the relationships. From the quarterback coach to offensive coordinator to head coach – all were big for me. Once the open contact period started, I wanted to give it a week or so to see who really wanted me and who prioritized me.

“My list shows who I felt has me at no. 1 or high on their board. Every visit was important and the calls and zooms meant a lot too, but this period helped me too. I have a mindset that I want to be the top guy. I don’t want to be second fiddle to anyone, so the teams that made me feel like a priority are the ones that I am looking at the hardest right now.”

Montgomery is the No. 206 prospect in the 2025 On3 Industry Rankings.

Montgomery breaks down his top five schools

FLORIDA: “Florida has made me feel like a priority for over a year now. I have felt the love from Coach Ryan O’Hara. He is probably the coach I have talked to the most and I have a really good relationship with. I have done the most zooms with him out of all of the coaches recruiting me and his love shows. We talk a lot, it has gone on for a long time and I will get back down there for the Tennessee game this fall.”

GEORGIA: “Georgia is the new standard in college football. They are back-to-back national champions and that speaks for itself. I have a really good relationship with Coach Mike Bobo and Coach Kirby Smart. They have been in contact with me for a while and every time I am at Georgia, I love it even more. The development there is second to none and one thing that stood out to me in the spring, even though they have won two championships in a row, they practice like they finished .500 last season.”

MICHIGAN: “Michigan is a place I have visited countless times, so every time I am on campus I feel very comfortable. It is close in proximity, so that is nice and I have a great relationship with Coach Kirk Campbell. He is super-relatable, he is easy to talk to and I like him a lot. Then you have Coach Jim Harbaugh. He played at Michigan, he coached in the NFL and he has a lot of great experience.”

PENN STATE: “Penn State has been on me for a while. As most people know, I have connections there with Drew Allar, Ethan Grunkmeyer and my quarterback coach Brad Maendler, so there is already a comfortable feeling at Penn State. Coach Danny O’Brien has done a great job recruiting me too. I have visited four times and I’m in contact with him a lot. I’m really excited to see the big year they will have as I know Drew is a dude.”

SOUTH CAROLINA: “A big thing with South Carolina is Coach Shane Beamer. He is one of my favorite head coaches and I have been in contact with him a lot. I like his plan for South Carolina, his approach and his style really fits me. Coach Dowell Loggains is one of my favorite coaches too. He will talk about anything, he will be completely honest and he has some NFL background. I think South Carolina is on the rise, and with their success on the recruiting trail, I see them doing big things in the coming years.”

An early decision is a real possibility for Montgomery

Visits will be key this fall. And as Montgomery alluded to, relationships are big for him. He will take all of this into consideration in the coming months as he works toward making his decision.

“I would like to be committed before my senior year,” Montgomery said. “I am looking at this winter for my timeline. It could happen during basketball season, maybe in January or February, but taking it day by day.

“I will see how things go on the field and how the relationships grow with the staffs this fall. I am not going to rush things, but I am not going to elongate things either.”

Montgomery will be at Florida for the Tennessee game on Sept. 16. He has Oct. 14 circled on his calendar when South Carolina hosts Florida. Michigan hosts Ohio State late in November and Montgomery will be in the Big House. He is working on locking in visits for games to Georgia and Penn State.