What Scouts Said About RB Ty Montgomery in College

Ty Montgomery is now a crucial member of the Packers running game. Fans rave about how Ty bounces around would-be tacklers, zooms past defenders and boosted Green Bay’s rushing attack in a big way in 2016.

Before he was selected by the Packers in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the story of Ty Montgomery looked very different than how it reads now.

Let’s explore what scouts and reporters were saying about Ty Montgomery in college.

Ty Montgomery’s strengths

• Many draft picks need to bulk up after being drafted. Montgomery did not.
• Lined up as a tailback, slot receiver and outside receiver and wildcat quarterback.
• Pro Bowl level kick and punt returner, scored on four returns in two seasons.
• High character, called an “accountable teammate” by Stanford coaches.

The list of Montgomery’s best qualities reads like a blueprint for a great offensive weapon. The Packers have yet to fully utilize Montgomery in the return game, though that could change with the departure of punt returner Micah Hyde this offseason.

Ty Montgomery’s weaknesses

• Needs an open-minded offensive system to figure out how best to use him.
• Reputation for poor hands with 16 drops and three fumbles in three seasons.
• Below-average route runner, needs to master different pass catching routes.
• Not seen as a characteristic, natural wide receiver.

It’s easy to see when parsing through his weaknesses how Montgomery ended up in the Packers backfield in 2016. A few drops on national television against Notre Dame hung a “poor hands” label on Montgomery that followed him through the combine.

What the internet said about and thought of Ty Montgomery

• “His hands might not be trustworthy enough to be part of a three-wide-receiver set.” - Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
• "I see similar qualities to Randall [Cobb] – some quickness and some explosion and great after the catch. I believe he'd give (defenses) some issues in some matchups." - Packers quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt
• “Montgomery failed to log a 40 in the 4.4 range (posting a 4.55) and didn't look like the explosive athlete in positional drills that many expected to see, having watched his impressive film from the past few seasons. With Montgomery also struggling to consistently snatch passes without a bobble, the jury is still out on if he can develop into a legitimate receiving threat as a pro.” - Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
• “[Montgomery] is a modern-day version of Tim Brown that will be among the league leaders in total yards.” - Carl Cockerham, FanSided
• “Top athlete when healthy. Well-built with long arms, broad shoulders and a thick lower half. Appears well-suited to making the jump to the NFL.” - Rob Rang, CBS Sports