Versatile Montac hoping to impact secondary
Sophomore defensive back Steven Montac arrived a few days into South Carolina's preseason camp as a late addition to its 2016 class and the junior college transfer has worked to quickly add depth to the Gamecocks secondary.
Montac qualified by NCAA standards out of Covington, Ga.'s Newton High in 2015, but spent last season at Coffeyville C.C. in an effort to get noticed by major programs. The move paid off.
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Montac's Coffeyville teammate Jamarcus King, who signed with the Gamecocks in February and is now competing for a starting spot in the same secondary, informed defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson about the 5-foot-11, 190-pound prospect's ability and eligibility to enroll after just one season at JUCO.
"It actually worked out thanks to Jamarcus and T-Rob and my performance at camps," Montac said. "I'm here because of Jamarcus and the coaching staff. South Carolina is like two hours away from my house and my parents can come see a lot of games. That's a big impact on that."
South Carolina coach Will Muschamp has mentioned Montac as someone who is in the rotation in a secondary that many consider to be a question mark.
Montac's biggest strength? His versatility. His biggest obstacle? Getting comfortable within the scheme.
"It's coming along pretty good, I've just got to continue to learn the system, learn the plays," Montac said. "It's the same, but it's not the same. It's more checks and different formations. You've got to know it and they're going so fast. Everyone said the pace is fast, but you can't really say what everybody says. It was the truth."
Montac has worked as a reserve at cornerback, nickelback and safety this fall. That versatility could go a long way in a secondary that is looking to build depth.
"Right now I'm playing more safety, just to learn what to do at safety, but I've got to expect to go in at any position during the season -- corner, nickel or safety -- but it's big for me, because it gives me a better chance to get on the field," he said. "I'm not just limited to one position, so I actually thank them for doing that to me."
With just over one week until the season opener, Montac isn't sure which position he'd play at Vanderbilt. But he says he's going to try to be prepared for anything.
"I've grown a lot learning the plays, but I still want to get better and know everything, so that I can be better and play faster," Montac said. "I'm not where I want to be, but I can say I've grown; I've grown a lot."
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