Something special about Iowa State running back David Montgomery

Editor's note: Sixth in a eight-part series of features on the Iowa State football team heading into the 2017 season. 

AMES — The call came in at 1:30 a.m. Or maybe it was 2.

Lou Ayeni isn't really sure since it happened in a sleepy haze.

The Iowa State running backs coach picked up the phone early Sunday morning, not really sure who or what would be on the other end. It was the night after a game, and Ayeni's eyes focused enough to see it was then-freshman David Montgomery calling.

He answered in a hurry.

'I'm like, 'Jesus what happened?'' Ayeni said. 'He's like, 'Oh I just forgot the password to the computer. I just want to watch the game film from the game.''

When Montgomery dialed his coach, time of day didn't cross his mind. He was deep in his process on the second level of the Bergstrom Football Complex.

'When I realized what time it was, I was like, 'Oh ... sorry,'' Montgomery said. 'It was something that had to be done because I just push and strain myself to be better than I was the day before.'

Montgomery has made a habit of spending extra time at the practice facility. All of the late nights blend together. His routine usually is the same; watch a little film, work on alignments and assignments, do footwork and pass protection drills.

The 5-foot-11, 219-pound sophomore from Cincinnati learned a long time ago overtime work is the only way to get better. Talent alone won't accomplish his goals — although Montgomery has plenty of that. There has to be a real investment outside practice. His mother and brothers taught him that.

'My older brothers pushed me because they saw the talent in me,' Montgomery said. 'My mom worked doubles. She worked two jobs and three jobs sometimes. Just seeing her pain and seeing what she had to go through really made me like, 'I've got to go get it.' Just knowing with my God-given ability, I can go change things.

'What I've learned is when your opportunity is gone, it's gone.'

The opportunity with Iowa State didn't come in earnest until midway through the season, though Montgomery was destined to play as a true freshman. His stockiness combined with his foot speed, pass-catching ability and natural instincts make him a constant threat.

Montgomery played in all 12 games last season and started the last four. He led the team with 563 yards on 109 carries plus two rushing touchdowns — including 169 yards on 24 carries in a win at Kansas. He also caught 13 passes for 129 yards.

'His high-end potential is maybe better than any running back that I've had the ability to coach,' said Iowa State Coach Matt Campbell, who coached NFL running backs Kareem Hunt and David Fluellen. 'We've got some good running backs in that room right now that have great potential, but David's certainly special both on and off the football field.'

The challenge for sophomores who had successful freshman campaigns always is the same. How do you keep them motivated and hungry? With Montgomery, Ayeni said, it's easy.

'He's got a big boulder on his shoulder,' Ayeni said.

The more that boulder gets poked, the more he responds.

'I'm learning to enjoy the process and understand this is needed for me to grow as a football player and a man,' Montgomery said. 'It's just different processes and a different way to approach things and the way you handle things. Different situations and different scenarios. My preparation has always been strong.'

Junior Mike Warren, who was bitten by injury in the second half of last season, is listed as the backup while freshman Johnnie Lang and sophomore Sheldon Croney fill out the rest of the room. Kene Nwangwu, who injured his Achilles this offseason, will know by the end of September if he's ready to play or will redshirt, Campbell said.

Warren put on roughly 10 pounds this offseason, he said, and checks in at 6-foot-0 and 211 pounds. Just as important as his physical transformation is the off-the-field bond he's forged with Montgomery. Campbell and his staff have seen a genuine friendship develop. Even though they are competing for snaps, there isn't a hostile rivalry present.

'(We're) just been feeding off each other,' Warren said. 'You see one person make a big play and you want to do the same thing. I think just as a group we want to be noticed out there, pretty much.'

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