‘I Missed Football’

September 14, 2021September 16, 2021 Staff Report 0 Comments Duke, Duke Blue Devils, Duke football, Duke University, Episcopal School of Dallas, Episcopal School of Dallas Eagles, ESD, ESD Eagles, ESD football, Football, Football Preview, Football Tab, Nakeie Montgomery, NCAA, NCAA Division 1, preston hollow, Sports

At Duke, lacrosse star Montgomery trying to recapture gridiron glory

At a small private school like ESD, multi-sport athletes are commonplace. At an NCAA Division I university like Duke? They’re rare.

Then again, Nakeie Montgomery is the type of two-way talent who might be able to pull it off.

Former ESD standout Nakeie Montgomery is back on the football field this fall at Duke University. (Photo: Courtesy Duke Athletics)

Montgomery secured a roster spot in football this fall after spending the past four years as a standout midfielder in lacrosse for the Blue Devils.

He hopes to see action as a running back, the same position where he tallied a school-record 31 touchdowns with the Eagles before graduating in 2017. Several college football programs recruited him, but ultimately he stuck with his commitment to play lacrosse instead.

“I knew I wanted to do it the whole time,” Montgomery told USA Lacrosse Magazine. “I missed football.”

Montgomery has spent the past four seasons as a midfielder for the powerhouse Duke lacrosse team, becoming an All-American and a key contributor on three Final Four teams.

Following a loss to Maryland in the NCAA tournament semifinals in May, Montgomery joined the football team for offseason workouts. The team’s season opener will be Sept. 3 at Charlotte.

Montgomery plans to return to the lacrosse field in the spring to play a fifth season for the Blue Devils, taking advantage of an extra year of eligibility granted to athletes because of the COVID-19 pandemic. After that, he will likely have the option of turning professional — in one sport.