Louisville loses key linebacker to the transfer portal

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 s

helf.

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.