A rare two-way standout at the 5A level, it’s tough to imagine where Dubuque Hempstead would be without running back and linebacker hybrid, Jaden Montgomery Jaden Montgomery 5'9" | 195 lbs | ATH/RB Hempstead | 2026 State IA . The team leader in carries, rushing yards, total touchdowns, tackles, sacks and TFLs, Montgomery is the straw that stirs the drink for the Mustangs on both sides of the ball.

On offense, the senior has taken 83 carries for 638 yards (7.7 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns to go with eight catches for 119 yards and two scores through the air. On defense, his 35 tackles, 6.5 TFLs and two sacks carry the majority of the production load.

Part struggling Hempstead team, Montgomery still brings it each and every night for the Mustangs.

Another familiar name after appearing on the list of top returning rushers from last season, Jaden Montgomery Jaden Montgomery 5'9" | 195 lbs | ATH/RB Hempstead | 2026 State IA will also be back on the defensive side of the ball for Dubuque Hempstead this fall.

Posting 70 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss and three sacks last season at linebacker, one might say Montgomery is better on the defensive side of the ball, and he probably projects to playing linebacker at the college level.

A hard-runner with his eyes on the endzone as a tailback, Montgomery is a stout body type that loves contact and searches for it every chance he gets. Like James, Montgomery is a high-motor linebacker that thrives on getting big hits and helping his team get stops.

Bringing up the rear is Jaden Montgomery Jaden Montgomery 5'9" | 195 lbs | ATH/RB Hempstead | 2026 State IA of Dubuque Hempstead, who rushed for 690 yards and 11 touchdowns on 111 carries last season. A stout, 5’9″, 190-pound running back, the soon-to-be senior comes at you like a bowling ball. With burst and concentrated momentum, once Montgomery gets going, he’s almost certainly gone. An all gas, no breaks runner, once he has his eyes on where he wants to be, he’ll get there.

A two-way player, Montgomery is also the leader of the defense for Hempstead, as he posted 70 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss and three sacks last season at linebacker.

Jaden Montgomery Jaden Montgomery 5'9" | 195 lbs | ATH/RB Hempstead | 2026 State IA was the leading rusher and tackler for Dubuque Hempstead last season. On the defensive side, Montgomery recorded 70 tackles (45 solo), 6.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, a fumble recovery, and a pick returned for a touchdown. Montgomery does a solid job using his length to wrap around the RB’s to make the tackle, and he does an excellent job with finding pursuit angles to stop a big play from developing. Montgomery has quite a bit of power, making forceful hits on players running down the sideline, and despite his frame, Montgomery can push the RB backwards in head-on contact situations. After winning District co-DPOTY honors in 2024, Montgomery will try to run it back once again, and he should easily wreak havoc in Class 5A to further bolster his growing resume.