Priority QB recruit Ryan Montgomery recaps visit to South Carolina

South Carolina played host to top 2025 quarterback target Ryan Montgomery of Findlay, Ohio on Saturday for the Florida game. The visit gave Montgomery and his parents their first chance to see a game at Williams-Brice Stadium and absorb the Gamecocks’ gameday atmosphere.

Montgomery (6-3, 215) kept a close watch on USC quarterback Spencer Rattler who, except for an interception in the final seconds, was spectacular with 313 passing yards and four touchdowns.

“It was just another game for Spencer,” Montgomery said. “He’s been incredibly consistent and efficient throughout the whole year, and he showed that yet again on a big stage. It’s awesome to see how much success he is having and see the offense come out explosive like that against a very good Florida defense. It was real fun to watch.”

Florida is one of the other schools in hot pursuit of Montgomery, so he got to watch Graham Mertz and the Gators offense do their thing as well.

“Obviously both offenses put up a lot of points,” Montgomery said. “Both offenses were very efficient. We picked the right game to come to, for real.”

USC quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains has developed a strong relationship with Montgomery and was up to see him the Friday of the off week. Head coach Shane Beamer has also been heavily involved in the recruitment, and Montgomery had the chance to talk extensively with both.

“I was able to talk with Coach Beamer pre-game, and I spent some time postgame with Coach Loggains and then we got breakfast and talked with him again this morning. They were just reiterating that I’m needed, they need me, and I’m their number one guy.”

Montgomery also saw the Gamecocks play in their season opener against North Carolina in Charlotte. From what he saw then and then witnessed Saturday, he believes the offense is making big strides.

“South Carolina is very young and dealing with a lot of injuries,” Montgomery said. “Once thing I will say: Their offensive line played a lot better. They are really improving. They’ve got a lot of younger guys and are only going to get better. I’m really excited to see how they are going to finish off the year, and we’ll go from there.”

Montgomery has a top four of USC, Florida, Auburn and Penn State at this point. His experience over the weekend in Columbia certainly kept the Gamecocks right in the mix with the other three.

“They’ve been high on my list, and they are staying there,” Montgomery said. “They are definitely one of my top schools and they are going to be in it to the very end. I’m just going to keep growing my relationship with Coach Loggains and Coach Beamer and go from there.”

Montgomery said he might return to USC for a game in November. In two weeks, he’ll visit Auburn and he will be at Penn State on Nov. 11.