Sam Montgomery: The True Top LSU Prospect

September 29, 2012; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Sam Montgomery (99) during a game against the Towson Tigers at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Towson 38-22. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

I have already sounded off in another article about LSU pass-rusher Barkevious Mingo and his regression this season. Mingo’s athleticism has always been impressive, but it he has yet to put it all together and become a complete football player..

..Unlike his teammate Sam Montgomery.

Montgomery is putting together an excellent season for Tigers and showing, at the very least, he is much closer to being NFL-ready than the speedy Mingo.

Montgomery’s athleticism is a step behind Mingo’s, maybe two steps, but it is still ideal for an NFL defensive end. Montgomery’s biggest advantage over Mingo is his size; listed at 6’6, 260 pounds with a long frame, Montgomery is a textbook defensive end prospect.

Montgomery’s stats don’t necessarily leap off the page ahead of Mingo’s, but he has had just as much pass rushing success combined with excellent ability against the run. He moves horizontally along the line and is able to use his long arms to trap ballcarriers.

Many are still claiming Mingo to be the top pass rusher, and one of the top prospects, in the whole draft. However, Jarvis Jones has locked up the top defensive spot so far this season. Montgomery and others such as Bjoern Werner, Jackson Jeffcoat, Alex Okafor, Dion Jordan, Michael Buchanon, and more are all having much better seasons than Mingo. This is an extremely deep defensive end class, and Sam Montgomery, not Mingo, could be challenging for the top spot.