James Montgomery Walks from Cal Football

Cordova High star running back James Montgomery has left the Cal Football program in his sophomore season according to head coach Jeff Tedford. Last year Montgomery saw action in 13 games for Cal compiling 171 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries. He also caught four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown.  “James Montgomery asked for his release and I granted it,” Tedford said in a statement Tuesday.

“He felt like there would be a better situation for him somewhere else.” Montgomery was slated as the Bears # 2 running back on the depth chart in 2007 and with sophomore sensation Jahvid Best expected to miss spring practices as he continues to recover from a hip injury sustained last season, Montgomery looked to be the Bears’ No. 1 option at tailback entering the spring.

Montgomery has not made a statement as to where he will play next. If he transfers to another Division I school, Montgomery will have to sit out the 2008 season and would have two remaining years of eligibility. Montgomery, who is listed at 5-foot-9 and 205 pounds, was rated as the nation’s 14th-best prospect at running back coming out of Cordova High, and was one of nine four-star recruits for Tedford’s 2006 recruiting class. Montgomery reportedly is considering a transfer to Washington, Oregon, Fresno State or Florida, which just recruited his former high school teammate, Carl Moore, one of the nation’s top receivers.

Rancho Cordova coach Max Miller spoke with Montgomery before and after the meeting with Tedford. Miller told the Sacramento Bee that Montgomery simply was unhappy. “He was definitely a hard worker and there all of the time, but there are some things that happen and we don’t understand why,” said teammate Forsett, who nicknamed Montgomery “The Governor” after he arrived for his first camp already knowing the majority of the playbook. “He’s was very competitive, even in the little things. He never gave up. He had a lot of heart.”

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Posted by Geoffrey Sakala on Mar 20 2008. Filed under News, Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.