FRESH START: Helton says former Anniston star has been 'great addition' for WKU
· Yahoo Sports
Former Anniston standout Roq Montgomery has found a fresh start.
After failing to see the field during his third year at Alabama, the 6-foot-3, 330-pound offensive lineman entered the transfer portal this offseason and landed at Western Kentucky, where he'll suit up for head coach Tyson Helton this fall.
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Helton offered his first impressions of Montgomery on Tuesday during Conference USA Media Day in Arlington, Texas.
"He's a big man. He's a strong man," Helton said. "I say big men lead the way, and he's the definition of that."
Helton noted he was familiar with Montgomery dating back to his high school days at Anniston. As a senior, Montgomery was named the Alabama Sports Writers Association's 2022 Class 4A Lineman of the Year after leading the Bulldogs to an 11-1 record.
Rated a four-star prospect by Rivals, Montgomery was ranked as the nation's No. 11 offensive guard and Alabama's No. 21 overall prospect in the Class of 2023. He originally signed with Alabama over offers from Auburn, Florida State, Georgia and Tennessee.
Montgomery appeared in two games with the Crimson Tide in 2023 before redshirting. He saw action in 12 games in 2024, primarily on special teams and in rotational offensive line duty, before sitting out the 2025 season.
Montgomery now lands in Bowling Green, Ky., where Helton said Western Kentucky has long served as "a platform for people to launch."
Montgomery will attempt to become the latest player to use the program as a springboard.
"We do have a lot of new faces every year. We're very particular about the type of people we want to add to that,” Helton said. “I think we've done a fabulous job with our offensive line room. Roq's been a great addition to that. There's a lot of new faces there, but I think he'll be a good part of us, and I'm looking forward to watching him play."
Montgomery and the Hilltoppers kick off their 2026 season on Sept. 5 at Nevada.