TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati football team concludes their 25th annual fall camp at Higher Ground on Friday.
Redshirt sophomore running back Myles Montgomery, one of the fastest players on the team, has proven that he is ready to take on a larger role this fall after totaling 14 attempts for 120 yards and a touchdown in six games in 2022.
He spoke on his Higher Ground experience and fall camp to this point.
What has this experience at Higher Ground been like compared to your previous two experiences?
"It is different of course. There are a lot of new coaches, faces and players. What we continue to stress is that camp is camp, work is work. It is not that big of a difference because our goals are the same. Overall, it has been good. I feel like we are coming together as a team. I am ready for the season."
You are now a veteran at Higher Ground, what is some advice that you have given to other players about maximizing this experience?
"I tell them to get a routine and don't break it. That is really all you can do out here. All we do is football, football, football. There isn't much to do besides football and bonding with your teammates. I tell them to get a routine and get it down because that is what you need to have in the league."
How important was this fall camp away from campus to bring a team with so many new additions closer together?
"We have a great opportunity here in Cincinnati. Not many teams are able to go away for fall camp. I think it is really good. It may be different for other players who have come from schools that don't do this, but I think it has been good for them to be able to lock in out here. We have a lot of distractions back home and it is easy to get distracted on campus, but there is nothing to do out here besides football."
What is the most exciting part of playing for an offensive-minded head coach Scott Satterfield?
"If you make plays, he will find a way to get you the ball. He is very creative. The type of things we run out here is crazy. It has been really fun and it is a great offense. You never get tired or bored."
What is your position coach De'Rail Sims like?
"He is a hard-nosed coach. He is very black and white, there is no grey area with him. He is going to keep it real. If you mess up, he is going to tell you. I messed up pretty bad once and he gave it to me, but I need that. There are not too many coaches that are going to give it to you like you need it. It is going to help me in the end."
With all of the different styles and talent in the running back group, how do you make sure to maximize and get the best out of this depth?
"You mainly want to perfect your fast ball. Whatever you are good at, make sure you are really good at that. That will only make our unit more talented."
What are some areas of the position that Coach Sims has really focused in on to prepare for the season?
"He has really focused on our pass protection and footwork. That has been key. He tells our unit to not get bored with focusing on the little things, the details because the details are most important."
As you step into a larger role this season, what are some areas that you are looking to improve on and what are you looking to bring to the offense this season?
"One thing that is for sure is that I am going to bring effort. What I need to work on mainly is pass protection. I would say pass protection, getting behind my pads and breaking my hips more. I also need to run a little bit lower because I am usually more of a higher runner. Coach Sims has been getting me right with that. My fast ball I would say is my ability to run the defense. If I hit that corner, It is pretty much a wrap for the defense."
Who are some players on offense that have stood out so far in camp?
"I would say our new quarterback, Emory Jones. I had never really seen him play before, but he has a really good arm and is a great leader in the locker room. Brady Drogosh, you have seen him throw a few touchdowns. Manny Covey has really come into his own, he has been great. All of our running backs are doing great. We have a lot of talented young receivers like Barry [Jackson Jr.], he's doing great out there. Everyone is really starting to come around. We have been doing this for three months now. We have got it all together and I think we are all coming around."
Who is some NFL running backs who have a similar game or that you watch and want to emulate?
"Travis Etienne. He has pretty much the same type of build and run style. I try to mimic him in a lot of the things that I do."
Being from Florida, what are some of your favorite things about the city of Cincinnati?
"Probably the love from the fan base. Cincinnati is very big on sports. I would say sports, food and the love from everyone around. It really is a great city."
With only 15 days away from kickoff, describe the feeling/excitement of taking the field at Nippert in the season opener?
"The environment will be insane. I am so excited for it because I know it will be packed stadium. My teammates and I are going to show up and try to give the fans a show."
How did you start playing football?
"My dad signed me up without my mom knowing. My brother played tackle football and ever since then it has been all about football. I don't think there has been a year where I haven't done something football related."
Any hobbies outside of football?
"I play a lot of video games and like to cook. I like to cook pretty much anything. My favorite thing is pasta, but right now I am trying to perfect steak. When Chamon [Metayer] and I were roommates, we used to cook all the time and a lot of players would come through for different meals."