Buffs QB Montez Says Manning Camp 'Once-In-A-Lifetime' Experience
July 02, 2018 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — When Super Bowl MVPs talk, it might be worth your while to listen — especially if those MVPs happen to play the same position you currently play.
Colorado quarterback Steven Montez recently had that opportunity, and he didn't let it slip away.
The CU junior recently spent three days as a camp counselor as the Manning Passing Academy in Louisiana, a camp headed by two-time Super Bowl winners Peyton and Eli Manning. Along with helping teach and coach high school quarterbacks from around the nation, Montez and 38 other college quarterbacks had the chance to engage in some throwing sessions with the Mannings, as well as gain plenty of insight into how the two brothers honed their craft that has produced four Super Bowl rings and three Super Bowl MVP performances.
"It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Montez said. "We had three or four throwing sessions with the Mannings and it was amazing. It was a blessing just getting to learn from them, hearing what they had to say. They're great people, some of the most down-to-earth people I've met, especially for the level of success they've experienced."
Montez is coming off his first full year as a starter, one in which he threw for 2,975 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions. This year, he will head an offense that has plenty of potential, but one that will be replacing key personnel at almost every position.
Montez will also play his first fall under new quarterbacks coach Kurt Roper, who coached Eli Manning in college. Roper took over the spot last winter, just before spring ball began, and has already had a big influence on Montez and his physical and mental approach.
That mental approach, Montez said, is something the Mannings stressed to all the quarterbacks at the camp.
"They talked about a lot of things — film study, throwing sessions with your receivers, leadership — a lot of stuff along those lines," Montez said.
Montez said the leadership aspect was a point of emphasis from the Mannings.
"They talked a lot about that and how important it was," Montez said. "I took a bunch of notes and I've been going through them the last few nights, thinking back to what they said about leadership and how good leaders do their job. They talked about what you need to do and how you do it. I've been taking all that into mind and trying to apply it to how I'm doing things here."
Montez and his teammates are now on the downhill side of their summer session, which has included regular player-run practices as well as strength and conditioning sessions and film study.
They are all quite aware that the Aug. 1 opening of fall camp is now barely four weeks away.
"Summer's going well," Montez said. "It feels like it's flying by. Now we have to finish strong these last three weeks and then go into fall camp with our best foot forward."
A total of 39 college quarterbacks served as counselors at the Manning camp. Along with Montez, other Pac-12 QBs in attendance were Washington's Jake Browning, Arizona's Khalil Tate and Washington State's Gardner Minshew. Others in attendance included South Carolina's Jake Bentley, Georgia's Jake Fromm, Alabama's Jalen Hurts, Wisconsin's Alex Hornibrook, Penn State's Trace McSorley, Auburn's Jarrett Stidham and Notre Dame's Brandon Wimbush.
SUMMER NOTES: Most members of CU's freshman class are now on campus, enrolled in classes and taking part in some conditioning sessions.
Thus far, reports are good on their progress. Overall, strength coaches say it might be the most athletic freshman class yet in the Mike MacIntyre era. Two players who definitely pass the "eye test" are defensive linemen Israel Antwine and Tava Finau. Neither looks anything like a typical freshman. … While the overall progress of returning players has been good in the weight room, there are several players who have made significant jumps, even from the spring. Three youngsters who have definitely made some strides are redshirt freshman cornerback Chris Miller, sophomore linebacker Jacob Callier and sophomore wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr.
It's no coincidence that all three could be major contributors next fall.
CONFERENCE MEDIA DAY: Conference officials this year have condensed Pac-12 Media Day, with most of the action happening on July 25 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel.
Scheduled to appear along with CU head coach Mike MacIntyre are Montez and senior linebacker Rick Gamboa.
Other representatives from the rest of the conference will be:
Cal – Head Coach Justin Wilcox, Patrick Laird (RB), Jordan Kunaszyk (ILB)
Oregon – Head Coach Mario Cristobal, Justin Herbert (QB), Jalen Jelks (DL)
Oregon State – Head Coach Jonathan Smith, Blake Brandel (OL), Kee Whetzel (OLB)
Stanford – Head Coach David Shaw, Bryce Love (RB), Alijah Holder (CB)
Washington – Head Coach Chris Petersen, Jake Browning (QB), Jojo McIntosh (DB)
Washington State – Head Coach Mike Leach, Kyle Sweet (WR/P), Jalen Thompson (S)
Arizona – Head Coach Kevin Sumlin, Khalil Tate (QB), Colin Schooler (LB)
Arizona State – Head Coach Herm Edwards, Manny Wilkins (QB), N'Keal Harry (WR)
UCLA – Head Coach Chip Kelly, Theo Howard (WR), Josh Woods (LB)
USC – Head Coach Clay Helton, Cameron Smith (ILB), Porter Gustin (OLB)
Utah – Head Coach Kyle Whittingham, Chase Hansen (LB), Lo Falemaka (OL)
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
Players Mentioned
