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Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Texas.
Ohio State has plenty of experience returning on this year’s offensive line. The heart of the group is Findlay native Luke Montgomery, who has started 16 games for the Buckeyes over the last two seasons. After stepping up during Ohio State’s 2024 College Football Playoff run, playing 180 snaps and making his first two career starts as the Buckeyes went on to win a national title, Montgomery started 14 games at left guard last season.
During the 2025 regular season, Ohio State’s offensive line was pretty much impenetrable. According to Pro Football Focus, Montgomery didn’t allow a sack through 12 games. Then things fell apart for the big uglies up front, as they allowed 10 sacks in losses to Indiana and Miami, with three of those sacks being credited to Montgomery. Instead of becoming back-to-back national champions, the only accolade Montgomery had from the 2025 season was Second Team All-Big Ten honors.
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It would have been easy for Montgomery, as well as a number of his teammates, to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. Instead, the group is back because the way the 2025 season ended left a sour taste in their mouths. While it would have been easy for the offensive line to blame their ineffectiveness against the Hoosiers and Hurricanes on injuries, Montgomery and Austin Siereveld saw significant action in 2024 because of injuries, and it didn’t hurt the Buckeye offense.
The fact that Montgomery and his brothers on the offensive line are back for another season proves how much they love each other and Ohio State. Along with helping lead the Buckeyes to a Big Ten title and another national title, Montgomery wants the group to be recognized as the best offensive line in the country and win the Joe Moore Award. Along with having his eyes on the group award, Montgomery has been placed on the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy.
Montgomery came to Ohio State as a four-star recruit from Findlay in the 2023 recruiting class. After appearing in seven games as a true freshman, the left guard got his big break after the Michigan game in 2024, as the Buckeyes shook things up on the offensive line following the loss to the Wolverines. The rest is history, as Montgomery has started every game since the Cotton Bowl win over Texas in the College Football Playoff.
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What will make Montgomery a sought-after player as we approach the 2027 NFL Draft is his athleticism and versatility. Along with playing football in high school, Montgomery could also hold his own on the basketball court. Montgomery also has the ability to play any position on the offensive line. Not only is Montgomery 6-foot-5 and over 300 pounds, but during the offseason he has gotten a little bigger, as he has turned some of his body fat into muscle.
While Siereveld will likely be the first Ohio State offensive lineman taken in the 2027 NFL Draft, Montgomery will likely be drafted by the time the third round wraps up. With another strong season on the field, Montgomery could likely push his way into the second round. Although it is entirely possible Montgomery could return for a fifth season at Ohio State if he doesn’t like where his projected draft position is trending.
No matter what the future holds for Montgomery, at least Ohio State fans can enjoy his senior season. After the way last year finished up, Montgomery and his teammates are going to be playing with a chip on their shoulders. Unlike last year when the Buckeyes had a weak schedule after the opener against Texas, this year Ohio State has a tough schedule, which will make Montgomery and company be at their best early on. The first half of the season will tell a lot about just how good the Buckeyes are.
With so much experience on the offensive line, it remains to be seen if Montgomery will be named a team captain. Even if he isn’t, expect him to be very vocal this season, not only encouraging his fellow starters, but also helping build the confidence of those lower on the depth chart. Montgomery will leave it all on the field to help the Buckeyes accomplish all of their goals before heading off to the NFL, where he has all the potential to have a lengthy career.
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