One of the biggest surprises of the 2026 Senior Bowl has been the emergence of John Carroll wide receiver Tyren Montgomery. Entering the week, Montgomery was largely off the radar of NFL Draft analysts , including mine, as he is a former student at Knox Junior High, where I teach. By the time practices wrapped up, that had clearly changed.
An unlikely football journey
Montgomery’s football journey is anything but typical. He did not grow up playing the sport, instead focusing primarily on basketball in high school at College Park High School. After a brief stop at LSU, he decided to pursue football seriously, beginning with competitive flag football for a Florida-based team. That opportunity led to a chance at the FCS level with Nicholls State. He enrolled in 2022 and became eligible to play in 2023. After one season as a backup, Montgomery entered the transfer portal and ultimately landed at John Carroll.
Once with the Blue Streaks, Montgomery quickly established himself as one of the most dominant wide receivers in Division III. During the 2024 season, he caught 57 passes for 1,017 yards, averaging an impressive 18.8 yards per reception while scoring 17 touchdowns. He followed that performance with an even more productive season, setting school records with 119 receptions and 1,528 receiving yards. Both totals ranked second nationally in Division III.
Despite the production, Montgomery received limited NFL Draft attention due to the level of competition. That perception shifted at the Senior Bowl, where he consistently proved he could compete with top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class.
Throughout the week, Montgomery stood out for his ability to create separation. He showed polished route running and the ability to snap off routes with precision. One notable rep came on a curl route against Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood, where Montgomery created clear separation with a sharp break. He also made several tough catches in traffic, demonstrating strong hands and focus at the catch point.
Tyren Montgomery finishes WR/CB 1-on-1s with a leaping TD! #SeniorBowl @AtoZSportsNFL pic.twitter.com/pyVIhg4g3F
— Travis May (@FF_TravisM) January 28, 2026
Projecting to the NFL, Montgomery has several traits working in his favor. His speed shows up on tape and is backed by his 32 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He also displays good ball skills and concentration, particularly in contested catch situations.
There are, however, legitimate concerns evaluators will consider. The level of competition remains a factor, as he faced limited NFL-caliber defenders during his Division III career. Additionally, while effective in the open field, Montgomery does not consistently display elite agility, raising questions about his ability to create after the catch against NFL athletes.
Montgomery’s draft outlook will largely depend on his testing numbers at the NFL Combine. A 40-yard dash in the 4.3 to low 4.4 range could elevate him into the fifth-round conversation. Without strong testing, he may be viewed as a late-round pick or priority undrafted free agent.
Regardless of where he is selected, Montgomery’s Senior Bowl performance made one thing clear. He has proven he belongs in the NFL discussion.