ASU vs. Stanford Scouting Report: WR Ty Montgomery

Oct 12, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Ty Montgomery (7) runs after a reception during the first half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
 
Opposing teams have learned the hard way not to overlook Stanford wide receiver Ty Montgomery. The 6’2″/215 junior from Dallas, Texas, is a stealthy receiver and kick returner with a penchant for breaking tackles and finding pay dirt in big games.

Take Stanford’s Nov. 23 rivalry showdown with California: Montgomery ran for a 31-yard touchdown and caught a 50-yard touchdown pass both in the opening 3½ minutes, and then added a 12-yard TD reception with 6:58 to go in the first quarter. He had five receptions for 160 yards at halftime.

By the end of the game, Montgomery had matched a Stanford school record with five touchdowns, scoring the first four times he touched the ball. He also tied Darrin Nelson’s single-game touchdowns record set at Oregon State in 1981.

“Ty’s got the mentality that he’s got to go forward like nobody can tackle him,” Stanford receivers/quarterbacks coach Mike Sanford commented to SFGate.com. “When he touches the ball, that’s what he’s thinking.

“He (Montgomery) is fast and agile and can get in and out of breaks and can track the deep ball — basically, the full skill set of a receiver. He can run through a lot of things.”

Montgomery, who is known to be deeply religious, switched to No. 7 this year after originally choosing to wear No. 88 for the Cardinal. “Seven has always been my favorite number,” he said. “God created the Earth in six days, and on the seventh day, He rested because everything was complete. Seven reminds me that the outcome is not in my control. God has put everything in place. It’s for me to appreciate the blessings and the opportunities to play football, so I don’t need to worry or be insecure about anything.”

Montgomery entered the 2013 season with increased national recognition. His honors included: Biletnikoff Award watch list, Maxwell Award watch list, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list, Preseason All-Pac-12 third team by Lindy’s, Preseason All-Pac-12 fourth team by Phil Steele, All-Pac-12 first team (return specialist) and All-Pac-12 second team (wide receiver).

As a sophomore in 2012, Montgomery had 450 all-purpose yards through the first five games. He also averaged 26.6 yards per kickoff return, and six of his 11 returns netted 30 or more yards. He also had three catches for 26 yards in Stanford’s Rose Bowl victory against Wisconsin.

Montgomery graduated from St. Mark’s High School. He was a four-star recruit by Rivals and Scout, and was rated as the nation’s 27th-best wide receiver prospect by Scout (30th by Rivals). In addition, Montgomery was ranked Texas’ 47th best overall recruit by SuperPrep and was named to its All-Southwest Region team.