IOWA CITY, Iowa – Jayden Montgomery grew up hearing about Iowa Football’s system for on-field success. His father, Jerry Montgomery, played for the Hawkeyes from 1998-2001 and has remained close to the program throughout his coaching career.

There is only so much the stories can tell a person about a situation, however. Often times, to receive a true understanding, one must live it.

Jayden chose to do that as a member of Iowa’s 2022 recruiting class. His college career kicked off with an education.

“Jack Campbell was sitting down drawing up run fits and coverages and all of that for me,” Jayden recalled about his initial exposure to Iowa Football.

Campbell was a senior on his way to winning the Butkus Award as the country’s top linebacker and being a first-round pick of the Detroit Lions in the spring. Montgomery has leaned on that mentorship now that’s he’s a leader of the position group.

“I feel like that’s something that’s been passed down. I feel like now I’m able to do that for the younger guys. It’s a part of the culture in the linebacker room,” Montgomery said.

Year 4 is an important one for the Bayport (WI) High graduate, who was running with the second-team during the team’s public practice earlier this month. The projected starter at middle linebacker, Jaden Harrell, will exhaust his eligibility in 2025. Montgomery would be competing with a collection of talented younger guys to replace him should the two-deep hold.

Teaching and competing with that group might seem like a difficult balance for Montgomery. It’s not.

“There’s always competition, which is great for the room. Guys are playing really hard and doing all they can do. But I don’t think that takes away from supporting each other. We also do a great job of congratulating and getting excited for guys when they make a play. So it’s a healthy, fun competition. It’s been awesome just continuing to grow with those guys,” he said.

Patience has been important for Montgomery. After redshirting as a freshman, he’s appeared in 21 games, mostly on special teams, the last two seasons. His next tackle will be his first in college.

His efforts have not gone unnoticed, which is why he’s one of only two juniors named to 2025 Player Council. Montgomery has earned coaches appreciation awards for special teams play the last two years.

Iowa took a chance on the 5-foot-10, 225-pound Montgomery. It’s scholarship offer was the only one from a Power 4 program and one of two from the FBS (Troy). He also bet on himself.

“When he took the offer and went there, I just told him you’re not going to be the starting backer or have the opportunity to do it for a while,” Jerry Montgomery said. “You’ve got to treat special teams as your starting role. He’s done that. He goes about his business as a professional.”

Jerry has followed a similarly deliberate path during his coaching career, working his way up the ladder to being on the NFL sidelines during the last 11 seasons. He was hired as Cincinnati’s defensive line coach/run game coordinator in January.

Jayden looked through a different lens when learning the game growing up than many student-athletes during the transfer-portal era.

“It helps that he’s a coach’s kid,” Jerry said. “He understands that the easy thing to do is to walk away from the situation instead of fighting and learning. Now he’s competing for a starting job. He’s got two years to do that.”

As focused and prepared as Jayden was for what he faced in working his way up the depth chart, it can be difficult grinding in football and academics. The hours are long and the days short. Jerry knows that.

“He’ll shoot me a text or call me every couple of days and just ask me how things are going; kind of give me little bits of advice on what I can do to continue to improve every single day,” Jayden said.

Remaining in the moment is helping Jayden’s journey. He is at peace with however his last two seasons at Iowa play out.

“Ultimately for me, I’m a man of faith. I know that God has the perfect time for me. However it works out for me, I know that he has a plan,” he said.

While he’s been working toward on-field goals, Jayden has killed it in the classroom. He was named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar in July. He’s been Academic all-conference the last two years and been on Iowa’s Dean’s List for three years.

“Most importantly, the kid is on track to get his degree. He’s way ahead in life from investments and stocks and all that. He’s the first-born child. He sees what this is going to do for his life after football. It’s more than just the starting position,” Jerry said.

The Montgomery Family also has a new connection to the program in 2025. Middle son, Tevyn Montgomery, is a freshman football student assistant after turning down playing opportunities at San Diego State (PWO), The Citadel and others.

Perhaps the youngest brother will end up with the Hawkeyes. A starting center as a sophomore at famed Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, Jace Montgomery (6-4, 250) is a prospect of note. Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky and others already are recruiting him. He started as a freshman for Westwood (MA) Xaveian Brothers’ state championship team last season, when his father was coaching with the New England Patriots.

“He’s the one that does have dad’s size, so he’s getting a lot of attention,” Jerry said.

Jace and Tevyn have a great role model in their older brother. They’ll see Jayden continue chasing his dream through commitment to team goals.

“It was one of the things my dad mentioned when I got here, build your role on special teams first and the linebacker stuff will come as you continue to grow and learn. That was a big priority for me, meeting with coach (LeVar) Woods and trying to get in his ear just see any way that I could get on the field,” Jayden said.

“Special teams is a huge deal here. It’s something that we practice and meet about every single day. It’s been great for my growth and my career as a player.”