When Jalen Pitre was a freshman at Baylor, he remembered watching from the sidelines as David Montgomery piled drove past four different Bears defenders for a gain of 24.
As a freshman, all Pitre could do was watch. He was stunned, watching as that combination of size, speed, elusiveness and power was all compacted into the body of a 5-foot-11 Cyclone who moved with the intent of destroying everything in his path.
Montgomery would go on to rush for over 140 yards in a 23-13 win that afternoon. He’d go on to have a promising start to his career in the NFL with the Chicago Bears and later the Detroit Lions.
But the image of pure pulverization stuck in the mind of Pitre throughout his career. He now gets to see it up close as the two Houston Texans serve as X-factors for their franchise entering 2026.
“I talked to him about that when I saw him in Detroit after the game,” Pitre said of the Texans new lead back Thursday. “I was like, ‘I’ve been watching you for a long time from afar.’ I had a little hit on him and I’m like, ‘I can’t slow down when I got to go hit him. I have to bring it.’ We’ve all seen the highlights that he’s had. He’s a great back that can do everything. He can catch it, run it, spin it, truck it, juke it, whatever you want. He’s one of them.”
Traded to Houston this offseason in exchange for a Day 3 pick, Montgomery gets a fresh start to prove he still has No. 1 potential. Over the past three seasons in Detroit, the former Iowa State star split carries with All-Pro Jahymr Gibbs, becoming the league’s best 1-2 combination in both speed and power.
But last season, Montgomery’s role decreased. Gibbs blossomed into one of the league’s best young runners, leading to head coach Dan Campbell oftentimes playing the hot hand on drives. This offseason, Montgomery asked for a trade and a fresh start.
DeMeco Ryans had interest in him and made sure that the two sides would be in talks to work out a potential deal.
“You talk about a true professional. He shows up every day, prepared and ready to go,” Ryans said. “He’s very attentive in meetings. Seeing his demeanor in on the field, it’s a business-like approach.
“He hasn’t changed from day one. It’s a business-like approach.”
The Texans believe that Montgomery can still be a lead back. He’ll take over that role in Houston after last season’s debacle with Joe Mixon.
Best of all, Pitre won’t have to face off against Montgomery in 2026. Instead he’ll call the longtime Big 12 foe a friend and watch other question on how they’ll be able to slow him down.
“It was the first time I ever saw somebody just get completely ran over as a true freshman,” Pitre said reliving that game in Waco. “I’m like, ‘Is this for me?’
Football was, but tackling Montgomery isn’t for everyone.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans star Jalen Pitre recalls first memory of new Pro Bowl RB David Montgomery
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cole Thompson, Texans Wire | USA TODAY Network
