Interview: Florida 4-Star 2018 CB Ken Montgomery Talks Alabama Unofficial Visit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The off-season push for college football teams to get recruits on campus for unofficial visits is now in full swing. Any time a college coach can sell the program and value of their educational system while walking room to room or location to location on campus is invaluable. For any school lucky enough to get Class of 2018 cornerback Ken Montgomery Jr. on campus, the whole day has been a win-win. Alabama scored a big win-win on Saturday.

The recruiting process for Montgomery is soaring pushing his offer total from 23 to 29 since the end of December. The early teams to offer the Tampa Bay area four-star included Oklahoma, USC, Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, Oregon State, Penn State, Cincinnati, Duke, Temple, South Florida, Indiana, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, and Louisville. January has heated up with Wisconsin, Florida Atlantic, Ohio State, Minnesota, and UCLA extending offers. On Feb. 16, the Crimson Tide dropped an offer for the 6-2, 165 pound, cover corner leading to a successful Feb. 25 unofficial visit to Tuscaloosa.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I caught up with the Hillsborough High School standout getting an inside scoop on his time with Alabama’s coaching staff.

Interview

Ken, a lot has been going on for you on the recruiting trail over the last few weeks. How many offers do you have right now?

“I have 29 or 30.”

Which schools have you visited so far?

“I have visited Arkansas, Florida, USF, Kentucky, Louisville, Florida State, Miami, and Alabama over the weekend.”

How did your Saturday visit to Alabama go?

“It went very well. I loved what I saw. I love the coaches there. Coach (Nick) Saban (head coach) liked me a lot. He told me, because I came late (1:30), he said he told the other coaches ‘if I didn’t see you today someone is losing their job.’ He really wanted to see me. That was cool.”

Who went with you on the visit?

“My mom and dad.”

Which coaches did you meet with?

“I met with Coach Saban and the whole coaching staff. I met with their defensive coordinators (Jeremy Pruitt and Tosh Lupoi), offensive coordinator (Brian Daboll), defensive backs coach (Derrick Ansley), and their wide receivers coach (Michael Locksley).”

What did the coaches talk about with you?

“Pretty much telling me they wanted me here. Coach Saban watched a full game reel of mine before I got there. They were impressed. They did not take any 2017 corners. They said they will be low next year at corner and that I could step in and take over at the position.”

That’s exciting. How did that make you feel with the staff letting you know that you could start as freshman at Alabama?

“It was pretty cool. If Coach Saban is saying that, because he is running everything, that means something.”

Did you sit in on any meetings?

“Not really. It was getting late. They were on a schedule and did not want to break any NCAA rules.”

Now that you have been to the campus and met with the coaches, can you see yourself fitting in with the Alabama’s defense and system?

“Yes, sir. Some of the former players that were there were telling me about the schemes they run and that I would do well there. I do see myself fitting in there.”

Did you tour any other areas of the campus or facilities?

“I toured the campus, weight room, and sat down in coaches’ office to meet with Coach Saban in there. We toured the cafeteria and the dorms as well.”

What was your overall impression of the campus and facilities?

“The campus was not too different from any other school but it was still beautiful. I loved the red bricks around the campus and I loved the layout of the campus.”

Do plan to visit Alabama again, if so when?

“I think I will go back up there for a game. I will more than likely go up for an official.”

Do you have another visit scheduled coming up?

“I’ll probably go to Ohio State (spring), Tennessee (summer), and UCLA. I’m trying to schedule UCLA.”

Are there any schools showing interest over the others?

“Alabama, Arkansas, Ohio State, Tennessee, UCLA, USC, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Penn State – a lot.”

Now that you have visited eight different schools, which visit has been your favorite so far?

“Right now I would say Alabama and Arkansas.”

Have you firmed up any camp plans for this off-season?

“I won’t do any camps this off-season. I’m done with camps. This summer I’m taking visits and focused on our football team.”

Are you still participating in track in the long and triple jump?

“Yes, sir. I’m still doing all of that stuff.”

Ken, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming track events.

“Thank you.”

Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com FREE!

If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!

Photo credit: Montgomery family; Ken Montgomery with Nick Saban.

Photo credits: Montgomery family; Ken Montgomery at Alabama.