Ole Miss LB Monty Montgomery Makes 2023 Preseason All-Transfer Portal Team

Ole Miss Rebels linebacker Monty Montgomery is in store for a productive year under new defensive coordinator Pete Golding.

OXFORD, Miss. -- In preparation for the most difficult schedule in the Southeastern Conference in 2023, Ole Miss Rebels coach Lane Kiffin scoured the NCAA Transfer Portal this offseason in search of roster reinforcements for his defense, led by new defensive coordinator Pete Golding. Kiffin recruited edge rushers, defensive line depth, big defensive backs, and perhaps most importantly, a linebacker to captain his defense.

Former Louisville Cardinals linebacker Monty Montgomery transferred to Ole Miss in January and is expected to make an immediate impact this fall in the middle of Pete Golding's defense. On3 released its 2023 Preseason All-Transfer Portal team on Wednesday and Montgomery was selected for the defense.

LB Monty Montgomery, Ole Miss

Montgomery stuffed the stat sheet on a good Louisville defense in 2022, and he should provide an immediate boost to Ole Miss’ front seven this fall. The undersized inside linebacker had 70 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, four forced fumbles and two picks for the Cardinals last year.

Here is the entire 2023 All-Transfer defense.

Edge - Jordan Burch (Oregon Ducks)

Edge - Dasan McCollough (Oklahoma Sooners)

Defensive Line - Braden Fiske (Florida State Seminoles)

Defensive Line - Bear Alexander (USC Trojans)

Linebacker - Monty Montgomery (Ole Miss)

Linebacker - Omar Speights (LSU Tigers)

Cornerback - Fentrell Cypress (Florida State Seminoles)

Cornerback - Duce Chestnut (LSU Tigers)

Safety - Ja'had Carter (Ohio State)

Safety - Jalen Catalon (Texas Longhorns)

Athlete - Travis Hunter (Colorado Buffaloes) 

Slot - Patrick McMorris (California Golden Bears)

Montgomery may be undersized for a linebacker at 5-11, 225-pounds, but he packs a punch and covers the field with ease. In four seasons with Louisville, Montgomery recorded 160 total tackles, 23.5 TFLs, 15 sacks, three interceptions, and seven forced fumbles. The Norcross, Ga., native brings physicality and versatility to an Ole Miss defense that allowed 168.0 rushing yards per game. Linebackers play an important role in Golding's scheme and the Rebels got one of the best available in Montgomery. 

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You can follow Ben King on Twitter at @BKing_2023.

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