Undrafted UCF running back Myles Montgomery chases NFL dreams, proving his worth against seasoned competition for a New England Patriots roster spot.
Myles Montgomery has the opportunity to change his family's life after signing with the New England Patriots following going undrafted on Saturday.
He joins a 14-3 squad who finished atop the AFC East and is fresh off a Super Bowl appearance. The Patriots have four running backs: Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyeon Henderson, Terrell Jennings and Jam Miller.
Stevenson and Henderson are the lead backs, as they split reps throughout the season. Jennings played most of his snaps on special teams and Miller is New England's 245th pick from Alabama.
Montgomery has his work cut out for him, competing for a depth spot on the roster with Jennings and Miller. The former UCF workhorse said his pitch to teams was that he's willing to do anything to help his team win despite having one year of starting experience.
"They're going to get somebody who's going to embrace their role whatever it is, on and off the field and try to help the team uh continue to win ball games," Montgomery said at UCF's pro day.
The Jacksonville, Florida native did not receive an invitation to the combine, but he posted some impressive numbers ranking at the top of his position at pro day.
Montgomery ran a 4.39 40-yard dash (fourth best), benched 22 reps (tied for third), jumped 10' 4" (tied for third) and ran a 4.25 shuttle (best among all running backs).
The athleticism is present for the undrafted running back, but going undrafted means there is significant improvement Montgomery must make at the next level to sustain a long career.
Montgomery finished his senior season at UCF running for 705 yards and four touchdowns on 143 carries, and added 182 yards on 17 receptions.
Jimmy Beal, UCF's running back coach, said Montgomery is going to make a team love him with his work ethic and now, that team is the Patriots.
"He's going to work," Beal said last Friday. "He's going to do whatever. He's going to he's going to make somebody love him. And I think that's the cool thing is that he's never going to show any kind of remorse or whatever for it. He's just going to do it."
Montgomery joins four other teammates signing with teams after going undrafted, and despite joining a deep running back room, he has the chance to compete for a roster spot and change his family's life.
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