Michigan-OSU rivalry extra meaningful for top recruits Luke and Ryan Montgomery
Findlay, Ohio is exactly 93 miles away from Ann Arbor and 95 miles away from Columbus.
The city also happens to be home to two blue chip underclassmen in 2023 On300 offensive lineman Luke Montgomery and his younger brother, elite 2025 quarterback Ryan Montgomery.
The two siblings grew up almost right in the middle of the heated Michigan-Ohio State rivalry and are major targets on the recruiting trail for both schools. Needless to say, the Montgomery brothers are excited to be in The Big House for The Game this weekend.
“I’m excited to see the atmosphere,” Luke said. “I think it’s the best rivalry in sports. I went to the game at Ohio State a couple of years. I want to see this game at Michigan now. There is a lot on the line. Here in Findlay, people throw ginormous watch parties. My friends are split on Ohio State and Michigan. I’m excited to see it in person.”
Ryan added:
“I’ve watched this game ever since I was little. It’s the greatest rivalry in sports. We’re living right between Michigan and Ohio State. You have fans on both sides, which makes it a lot of fun. Just seeing them talk crap is awesome. It doesn’t get much better than this week. Both are AP Top 10 teams. It’s in The Big House. The environment is going to be electric.”
Both prospects will be accompanied by their father, Mike, who has been on the Michigan and Ohio State campuses frequently over the last several months.
Like his children, Mike is thrilled to experience The Game at Michigan, especially now that Luke and Ryan are recruits for both schools.
“This is a big rivalry around the country but especially here,” Mike said. “To have both kids sincerely wanted by both universities is something I don’t take lightly. Those two schools are closest to us proximity. It’s 50/50 here as far as who likes who. Further north, it’s Michigan. Further south, it’s Ohio State. To be able to go to the game with the kids is special.”
Michigan has caught some flak in recent years about not taking the rivalry as serious as Ohio State. The Buckeyes have a countdown clock and several hype videos geared towards Michigan. OSU, at least on the surface, has portrayed its investment in the rivalry as the key to its success over the last decadee.
However, Mike says after seeing Michigan twice this summer, there is a different feel around Ann Arbor. This team, in particular, has lived and breathed The Game since the end of last year.
“Not knowing how it was before we were recruited, I wouldn’t say it wasn’t important to Michigan in the past, but we went there in the summer, and it was a focus,” Mike said. “The vibe was positive and energetic. I know Ohio State takes it super serious all the time. If that got away at Michigan, it’s back. Whether you’re a fan of either or not, you want a playoff type atmosphere and both schools to be at their best.”
While Ohio State is considered the early favorite to land Luke and Ryan, Michigan has done a fantastic job of recruiting both.
A win over Ohio State this weekend could go a long way in giving the Wolverines an advantage heading into next cycle. But regardless of the result, U-M has already put itself in a prime position to pluck the Montgomery brothers out of Ohio.
“Michigan is pretty high in my recruitment,” Luke said. ‘I love Coach (Grant) Newsome, Coach (Sherrone) Moore and Coach (Jim) Harbaugh. We went to the BBQ this summer, and that was cool. They are all great people and coaches. I know they would take care of me. They have great academics. Ann Arbor is a beautiful place.”
Ryan added:
“I love Michigan,” Ryan said. “They are definitely a top school for sure. I love Coach (Matt) Weiss and Coach Harbaugh. Coach Harbaugh is an awesome guy. When I was camping there, he was in all the drills, which was really cool. You never see head coach do that. Michigan is a great place.”
