Sep 9, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones running back David Montgomery (32) is tackled by Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Josey Jewell (43) at Jack Trice Stadium. The Hawkeyes won 44-41 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Iowa State sophomore running back David Montgomery burst onto the national scene during the 2017 season and his ability to break tackles was a big reason why. In fact, the Cincinnati, Ohio native became the all-time leader in forced missed tackles in the Pro Football Focus era with 104.
Ladies and Gentlemen – David Montgomery, the most ever missed tackles forced in the PFF era. pic.twitter.com/BTllyeUn8w
— PFF College Football (@PFF_College) November 28, 2017
Montgomery broke the previous record of 89 forced missed tackles held by former Florida State star Dalvin Cook. Other players high on the list include former LSU star Leonard Fournette and former Toledo back, and Matt Campbell recruit, Kareem Hunt.
Montgomery ran for 1,095 yards and 11 touchdowns during his sophomore campaign on 234 carries. He amassed 1,383 yards from scrimmage with a remarkable 828 of those yards coming after contact.
While the Pro Football Focus era only goes back to 2014, it is still pretty dang cool to see Montgomery among some of the game’s best backs in recent memory.