Four-Star 2025 QB Ryan Montgomery Releases Top Five, Includes Gators
Has Billy Napier found a legitimate candidate in the 2025 recruiting class to serve as DJ Lagway's potential successor?
By reeling in the prized 2024 quarterback in Lagway last December, the Florida Gators have their future fix to the quarterback position and the program.
While the Willis (Texas) High standout is slated to take over control of the Gators offense in due time — likely serving as an unrivaled starter in the peak years of his orange and blue career — Florida's search for elite-caliber signal callers has only begun.
Head coach Billy Napier and Co. have emphasized stacking talent and depth at each position moving forward. Quarterback is no exception.
On Tuesday, Findlay, Ohio, passer Ryan Montgomery included the Gators within his newly minted top five, consisting of Georgia, Michigan, Penn State and South Carolina alongside UF.
Montgomery, the nation's No. 15 rated quarterback and No. 205 overall player in the class of 2025 per 247Sports Composite rankings, initially connected with Florida back in the spring when he received his scholarship offer on April 6.
It came from the Gators staff during his first campus visit, where he built a baseline connection with Napier and quarterbacks assistant Ryan O'Hara.
Standing at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Montgomery presents the well-developed, towering frame the Gators have coveted when targeting QBs under Napier's leadership.
He performed well for Findlay High a season ago, accounting for 1,787 yards and 22 touchdowns on 60.3% completion as a sophomore. That followed an impressive freshman campaign where he compiled 2,420 yards with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 starts.
Montgomery is just months removed from taking home the accuracy challenge trophy in an Elite 11 regional competition, thus indicating the concerted efforts to acquire his talents for some of the nation's top teams.
Despite the interest of 25 total schools, the Gators were selected as one of five to move forward in contention for the coveted quarterback.
Montgomery will return to Gainesville for Florida's opening SEC contest against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 16.
"I am excited to establish relationships again with coaches and get back down there to see them in person again," he told Swamp247's Blake Alderman.
"Also, the game itself. I am really excited to be in The Swamp for the first time and check out that atmosphere. I am excited to see how the offense does. I am going to keep a close eye on Coach Napier and Coach O'Hara on the sidelines with how they coach the quarterbacks."
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