Louisville football: An underrated player at each position for the Cards

LOUISVILLE, KY – OCTOBER 05: Rodjay Burns #10 of the Louisville Cardinals makes a tackle near the sideline against Clinton Lynch #22 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the first half of the game at Cardinal Stadium on October 5, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Outside Linebacker

Monty Montgomery

A player that not a lot of people are talking about right now that could make a huge splash for Louisville football is Monty Montgomery.

No, not the overly-naive snake-handling uncle from A Series of Unfortunate Events, it’s actually the absolute terror coming to an ACC backfield near you.

“Monty Montgomery is a play maker. Do not let the size fool you!”

JUCO prospect @MontyTBE1 ’s letter of intent is in! #Uncaged19 pic.twitter.com/Reh42Y5yaJ
— Louisville Football (@LouisvilleFB) February 6, 2019

In the words of assistant coach Cort Dennison, Monty Mongomery is a play. Maker. Much has been made of the new Louisville coaching staff bringing in smaller, more agile guys who fly to the ball. Montgomery is exactly that.

Coming out of high school, Montgomery received virtually no love and chose to go the JUCO route. Now, his decision is paying dividends in a major way by getting to be a part of a power five program.

Everything that the coaching staff wants, Montgomery brings. He is a beast getting into the backfield, but he is also well adept to dropping back into coverage and staying with a receiver or bigger tight end. At 5’11,” 220-pounds, Montgomery doesn’t mind lowering a shoulder or taking a big hit to bring someone down, and he is quick and agile enough to be a turnover-forcing machine.

The biggest issue that has plagued Louisville since the departure of former defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is the team’s inability to fly to the ball, generate pressure, and force the other team to turn it over. Players like Montgomery will help fix that issue.