Most people might not want to take the word of a former high school athletic director when it comes to judging NFL talent. However, Tina May-Tuck deserves an exception. This is a woman who served as the Mount Healthy athletic director for 20 years in the center of Ohio, one of the richest talent beds for pro football talent in the country. She’s seen her fair share of future NFL standouts. None of them though impacted her like David Montgomery.

He arrived in Mount Healthy back in 2012. May-Tuck has overseen the athletic journeys of so many young students but it was impossible not to notice Montgomery. Not only was he a force on the field, but his work ethic and leadership shined brightly off it as well. Most school official would say they have strong confidence that their former student has a good chance for success at the pro level and will be cheering for him/her.

Not May-Tuck. The retired athletic director didn’t hold back to Adam Jahns of The Athletic. She made it quite clear that the Chicago Bears didn’t just get a steal in the draft. They got a highway robbery.

“Chicago just got them a diamond,” May-Tuck said. “Let me tell you. Here’s what I feel: Chicago doesn’t know what you have right now. You don’t know what you got because he wasn’t a first-round choice or whatever. You really don’t know what you guys have got. I predict that he’s going to be one of the best to ever play for the Chicago Bears. That’s my prediction because he had everything it takes to get to that level.”

David Montgomery has the talent and temperament to thrive

Obviously, she may be biased in this assessment but there are reasons not to doubt her words. Several experts and evaluators have already jumped on the idea that Montgomery should be a dark horse favorite for Rookie of the Year. He was outstanding at Iowa State despite having no NFL-caliber blocking in front of him. Why is it so hard to think he can be great?

Maybe because he’s not fast.

Everybody knows this league is obsessed with speed. The 40-yard dash at the scouting combine is considered the one event that will make or break your draft stock. Ask Orlando Brown Jr. The big offensive lineman from Oklahoma had a horrendous showing with a 5.85 for his best time. That dropped him all the way to the 3rd round before the Baltimore Ravens picked him. A few months later he was their starting right tackle en route to the playoffs.

Montgomery ran a 4.63 in the event, which is considered slow for running backs. Needless to say, this dropped him down boards despite tons of evidence he could play. The Bears waited anxiously to see if anyone would realize this possible mistake. When he finally fell within range, they traded up to get him. Since then the impressions in practice are in line with what May-Tuck said.

He could be something special.