One of the hardest picks I had to make, but I am going with the super athletic monster here in Jermaine Montgomery Jr Jermaine Montgomery Jr 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB James Monroe | 2026 State NY . at the LB spot. Overall, the ability to make TFLs behind the line will strike fear in offensive coordinators. Securing tackles at first contact is no stranger as well for Mongomery Jr., as he ended last season with 102 tackles. Staying balanced and using quick hips in reaction is a big part of making him so successful at hunting down ball carriers.

Montgomery Jr. is one of the better overall athletes in the class. He showcases the ability to make tackles in space, which comes from his quickness and explosive movements when he changes direction.

Montgomery Jr., I have also seen in a 7v7 setting. He moves really well in space, can be an impact LB in coverage, and replicates the athleticism you see in 7v7 on tape coming downhill.

His measurables make him more of a fit at OLB, but he has the athleticism to cover, and he shows a great motor and violent finish all over his tape.

The fifth James Monroe prospect mentioned. 5’11, 210 pounds. 3.7 GPA. The third-ranked linebacker among New York juniors, high praise. Montgomery is also ranked inside the Top 25 in his class. For an outsider looking in, I can immediately surmise that this kid the real deal. Despite the high praise, Montgomery is still unoffered to my knowledge. Based on rankings alone, I bet that will change in time.

Here’s what NY analyst Matt Di Domenico had to say about Montgomery in a recent recruiting piece…

Excited to see him for the first time.

Produces at a high level for Monroe High School with 102 tackles, 5 sacks, and 8 TFLs. Montgomery Jr. has an extreme amount of talent that jumps off the tape. Crashes at the ball carriers with explosiveness and an aggressive tackle ability were present. The pass coverage ability was a major standout as his lateral agility granted him an outstanding capability in zone coverage. Furthermore, the play recognition and his outstanding athleticism showed he was a sideline-to-sideline LB.

Montgomery Jr is a very intriguing prospect; he falls just a tad under 6′, but he is a violent tackler with an elite frame with broad shoulders and defined muscles. He is a good athlete in space, and when I saw him live at 7v7, it helped confirm some quality coverage skills you don’t get reps of on tape. The type of LB that can reach 225+ pounds and maintain his athleticism is a special type of player to have in the middle of the defense.

I saw Montgomery Jr live in a 7v7 format, and the James Monroe LB prospect has the build and frame for the FBS level. He moves really well in space and has a good feel for the game in coverage. His tape does not have a ton of coverage, so watching the 7v7 film and seeing him in person helped complete the evaluation. Against the run, Montgomery has a quick trigger, good closing speed, and is a violent finisher.