Penn State QB target breaks passing record of NFL legend Ben Roethlisberger

Penn State football has developed a track record of recruiting high-level QBs from the state of Ohio under James Franklin. Of course, the Nittany Lions just passed the QB torch from Sean Clifford to another Buckeye State product, former five-star recruit Drew Allar. Soon, another Ohio prospect will be waiting in the wings, as 2024 QB Ethan Grunkemeyer will join the program next year. But over the weekend, another Penn State QB target made headlines in Ohio, as 2025 QB Ryan Montgomery broke the longstanding high school passing record of Pittsburgh Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger.

Penn State QB target breaks high school passing record of Ben Roethlisberger

Ryan Montgomery is already viewed as one of the best QB prospects in the class of 2025. A four-star, the Findlay High School QB is the No. 18 signal caller in America and the No. 10 prospect out of Ohio for the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

Last weekend, Montgomery broke a longstanding passing record of one of Findlay High School’s most famous alumni: former Pittsburgh Steelers QB and NFL legend Ben Roethlisberger. In Findlay’s 49-14 win over Sylvania High School Friday, Montgomery went 32-37 for 491 yards and 6 touchdowns. This single-game passing yards mark broke the record set by Roethlisberger when he was the QB for Findlay in 1999.

What has Ryan Montgomery said about Penn State?

Currently, Penn State football is one of the top programs in the hunt for Ryan Montgomery. In August, Montgomery released his final five schools list, which included Florida, Georgia, Michigan, and South Carolina, in addition to the Nittany Lions.

However, On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine has put the in-state Buckeyes back in the mix, giving Ohio State the best chance of landing Montgomery. The QB’s older brother, Luke Montgomery, is currently an OL at Ohio State.

BREAKING: Class of 2025 Four-Star QB Ryan Montgomery is down to 5️⃣ Schools!

The 6’4 215 QB from Findlay, OH is ranked as a Top 20 QB in ‘25

Where Should He Go?👇🏽https://t.co/cL78hCZOyg pic.twitter.com/TglqC7E1XS

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) August 15, 2023

But Penn State may have several things working in its favor in this recruitment. Beyond the well-established pattern of developing Ohio QBs, Montgomery shares the same personal QB coach as current Penn State QB Drew Allar and Nittany Lion commit Ethan Grunkmeyer.

“Penn State has been on me for a while,” the Penn State QB target recently told On3. “As most people know, I have connections there with Drew Allar, Ethan Grunkmeyer, and my quarterback coach, Brad Maendler, so there is already a comfortable feeling at Penn State. Coach Danny O’Brien has done a great job recruiting me, too. I have visited four times, and I’m in contact with him a lot. I’m really excited to see the big year they will have, as I know Drew is a dude.”

Allar has upheld his end of the bargain, throwing for 325 yards and 3 scores in his first game as Penn State’s starter. Grunkemeyer has also put together several impressive showings in his senior season of high school football. If the Nittany Lions find a way to land the commitment of Ryan Montgomery, then the Penn State QB room will be in very good shape moving forward.

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