Ryan Montgomery- A senior running back, who is extremely shifty and can affect the game in many ways, as we saw over the last two seasons not only does he have that ability to bust off a huge run up front, but he has the ability to change the game on special teams as well, as Montgomery was just named to the Paul Hornung Award Preseason Watch List which is given annually to the nations most versatile player. He was 2nd in the AAC last season where he recorded 20 punt returns for 229 yards, good for 11.5 yards per return, which was also good for 10th in the country. Montgomery rattled off a 55 yard touchdown run in the Bearcats 45-28 victory over USF where he led the Bearcats with just six carries, for 72 yards, two touchdowns, as many remember that was the game star running back Jerome Ford missed due to an ankle injury, Montgomery took advantage of his opportunities and played a huge role for the Bearcats down in Tampa Bay to keep the Bearcats perfect season alive.
The future in the back field is sophomore Myles Montgomery who got to get a lot of extra reps in the spring due to some nagging injuries. He has a lot of potential, but with the deep back field he probably won’t see many game reps this season. True freshman Stephen Byrd who is a 6-foot, 215 pounds has a lot of potential like Montgomery, but will have to wait as well. When you see Byrd on the field you see a young man that has the makeup that belongs in the Bearcats back field. Keep an eye on these two in the future #BearcatNation.
Overall, Luke Fickell and Bearcats running backs coach Darren Paige have to be extremely impressed with what they have in the running back room, even after losing a guy like Jerome Ford, to bring someone in like Corey Kiner who will look to lead the running back room this season, but also having those guys like McClelland, Montgomery and Wright, who can all change the game in many ways, and are capable of seizing their moment when they see action. The running back battle will be something to keep an eye on heading into the season and fall camp, but if you’re a Bearcat fan looking in you have to be excited for what the Bearcats offense will look to create especially in the run game.
