Louisville is losing one of its leading tacklers to the transfer portal.

After 4 seasons with the Cardinals, linebacker Monty Montgomery has entered the transfer portal. The redshirt senior confirmed the departure on Twitter Monday. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

A former junior college standout and Norcross, Georgia native, Montgomery appeared 13 times during his first season at U of L in 2019. He put up 27 tackles, 5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles as a reserve ‘backer. The following fall, Montgomery produced 46 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, and 2 pass breakups in 10 appearances (3 starts).

He was expected to become one of the defense’s leaders in 2021, but an ACL tear 3 games into his season put him on the shelf.

He returned in 2022 to finish second on the team in total tackles. After missing all of spring ball while rehabbing the injury, Montgomery emerged as a reliable and disruptive linebacker. He had 70 tackles, 11 TFLs, 6 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 4 pass breakups, and a pair of interceptions. He was the Cardinals’ highest-graded linebacker, according to Pro Football Focus.

Montgomery finishes his career at U of L with 160 tackles, 23.5 TFLs, 15 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, 7 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions.