CJ MONTES NEWS

Out for season Montes (undisclosed) has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

Impact Montes, who appeared in each of Kent State's first two games, will be sidelined for the remainder of the season. The 6-foot-2 grad student looks to be out of remaining eligibility, but he will be able to look back on a productive career as a journey man quarterback, appearing with New Mexico, Fordham and Kent State during his collegiate career.

OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Out for Week 8 Montes (undisclosed) is out for Saturday's game at Toledo.

Impact After the Kent-Toledo game, Kent's next matchup is scheduled for Oct. 25 against Bowling Green. Ideally for Montes, it is against BGSU when he can log his first counting stats since Week 2.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go vs. Oklahoma Montes (undisclosed) is active for Saturday's game at Oklahoma.

Impact Montes will be good to go for the away game after missing the Golden Flashes' last two outing. The 6-foot-2 quarterback is likely to be the starter for Kent State as well, given that Dru DeShields will be sidelined. Montes has thrown for 140 yards, one touchdowns and one interception across to showings this season.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't play in Week 4 Montes (undisclosed) didn't play in Kent State's beatdown at the hands of Florida State in Week 4.

Impact Montes lost the starting gig to Dru DeShields going into Week 4, so it's unsurprising that he didn't play against Florida State regardless of his undisclosed injury. DeShields is locked into the QB1 role, and any playing time Montes does receive from here on out should purely consist of mop-up duty.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Saturday Montes (undisclosed) is questionable for Saturday's game at Florida State.

Impact Montes, who already lost the starting quarterback job to Dre DeShields, is questionable for Saturday's contest. If he is available, he will back up DeShields, and if not, Devin Kargman would serve as the backup.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

No. 7 Florida State enjoying impressive turnaround heading into matchup with Kent State

Florida State went 2-10 last year and ranked 131st in scoring offense

SEPTEMBER 18 • Associated Press

Held out against Buffalo Montes (undisclosed) was held out of Saturday's 31-28 loss to Buffalo.

Impact Montes was previously listed as questionable due to an undisclosed injury, but was unable to suit up against the Bulls. The 6-foot-2 quarterback appeared in each of Kent State's first two contests this season, throwing for 140 yards and a single touchdown along with an interception. His next opportunity to return will come against Florida State on Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Held out against Buffalo Montes (undisclosed) was held out of Saturday's 31-28 loss to Buffalo.

Impact Montes was previously listed as questionable due to an undisclosed injury, but was unable to suit up against the Bulls. The 6-foot-2 quarterback appeared in each of Kent State's first two contests this season, throwing for 140 yards and a single touchdown along with an interception. His next opportunity to return will come against Florida State on Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable vs. Buffalo Montes (undisclosed) is questionable for Saturday's game against Buffalo.

Impact Montes looks to have been dealing with an unknown injury this past week, as he'll head into the noon game against the Bulls with a questionable tag. The starting quarterback's true status for the conference matchup should be announced right before kickoff.

SEPTEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles in blowout Montes was 4-for-10 passing for 49 yards and one interception during Saturday's 62-14 loss against Texas Tech.

Impact Montes struggled completely against the Red Raiders' defense, with less than 50 passing yards and an interception. The redshirt senior had to split reps with quarterback Dru DeShields once again, and DeShields definitely played better. This will make it interesting what approach the Golden Flashes use for their quarterback spot versus Buffalo next week.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles in blowout Montes was 4-for-10 passing for 49 yards and one interception during Saturday's 62-14 loss against Texas Tech.

Impact Montes struggled completely against the Red Raiders' defense, with less than 50 passing yards and an interception. The redshirt senior had to split reps with quarterback Dru DeShields once again, and DeShields definitely played better. This will make it interesting what approach the Golden Flashes use for their quarterback spot versus Buffalo next week.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Throws touchdown in two-man scheme Montes was 6-for-9 passing for 91 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 21-17 victory over Merrimack. He also had five rushes for one yard.

Impact The redshirt senior was named the starting quarterback ahead of the game against the Warriors, but he ended up splitting drives and playing less than Dru DeShields. Montes ended up playing relatively well considering the nature of his playing time, but DeShields' threw for 118 passing yards and a touchdown. Given that this approach won the Golden Flashes their first game since the 2023 season, the team might continue the approach moving forward.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Throws touchdown in two-man scheme Montes was 6-for-9 passing for 91 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 21-17 victory over Merrimack. He also had five rushes for one yard.

Impact The redshirt senior was named the starting quarterback ahead of the game against the Warriors, but he ended up splitting drives and playing less than Dru DeShields. Montes ended up playing relatively well considering the nature of his playing time, but DeShields' threw for 118 passing yards and a touchdown. Given that this approach won the Golden Flashes their first game since the 2023 season, the team might continue the approach moving forward.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Named starting quarterback Montes was named the starting quarterback for the Golden Flashes, Pete Thamel of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Montes beat out Dru DeShields in a fierce quarterback battle and will begin the season as the starting quarterback. He transferred from Fordham after two seasons and he started his career with New Mexico. In his lone full season with Fordham he completed 64 percent of his 376 passing attempts and produced 3,000 yards, 26 touchdowns and just one interception.

AUGUST 21 • ROTOWIRE

In fierce QB battle Montes and Dru DeShields are competing to be the Golden Flashes' starting quarterback, their website reports.

Impact 2025 marks Montes' return to the FBS. After time in New Mexico, the quarterback spent two seasons with Fordham, where he established himself as a top option. The hope is that success translates well in his return to FBS football, though he would have to beat out DeShields first.

AUGUST 19 • ROTOWIRE

Returning to Kent State Montes will remain at Kent State, per Zach McKinnell of FCS Football Central.

Impact Montes initially elected to transfer to Kent State after two years at New Mexico and Fordham, but then announced he'd be flipping his commitment to Florida A&M. Now, the quarterback will stick with his original decision and play for the Golden Flashes in 2024. In 2023, he tossed for 3,000 yards, 26 touchdowns and one interception with Fordham.

MAY 9 • ROTOWIRE

FAMU football transfer QB commit CJ Montes won't join the Rattlers; returning to Kent State CJ Montes won’t be joining the FAMU football team. Instead, the transfer quarterback will rejoin the Kent State Golden Flashes.

MAY 8 • TALLAHASSEE.COM

Transfers to Florida A&M Montes will transfer to Florida A&M, he announced.

Impact Montes started his career at New Mexico, then transferred to Fordham where he played extremely well in 2023, tossing for 3,000 yards, 26 touchdowns and one interception. In 2024, however, he only played in two games with the Rams and then transferred to Kent State. Now, he's moving schools again, going back to the FCS level with Florida A&M.

APRIL 28 • ROTOWIRE

Signs with Kent Montes announced via social media that he has decided to join the Golden Flashes for the 2025 season.

Impact Montes will join Kent after spending the previous two years with Fordham. The junior quarterback completed 51.5 percent of his passes for 333 yards and one touchdown across three appearances last year.

JANUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Montes spreads the wealth in Fordham's 27-21 win over Bucknell

CJ Montes threw for 328 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers and Fordham beat Bucknell 27-21

NOVEMBER 4, 2023 • Associated Press

FCS-member Fordham beats Buffalo 40-37 behind CJ Montes' 5 TDs

CJ Montes threw for 309 yards and five touchdowns, including a go-ahead score to MJ Wright with 2:37 left, and FCS-member Fordham beat Buffalo 40-37

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 • Associated Press

CJ Montes passes for 319 yards and 5 TDs to help Fordham beat Wagner 46-14

CJ Montes threw for career highs of 319 yards and five touchdown passes, MJ Wright had eight receptions for 96 yards and two TDs and Fordham beat Wagner 46-14

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023 • Associated Press

Transfers to Fordham Montes announced Wednesday via his personal Twitter account that he's committed to transfer to Fordham.

Impact Montes' commitment to the Rams transpired exactly one week after the quarterback hit the portal. The 6-foot-2 signal caller has mainly operated as one of New Mexico's depth options across the last two years, though he started in both of the Lobos' final two contests this past season and went 27-for-50 with 174 yards and an interception in that span.

JANUARY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leaving New Mexico Montes announced Wednesday via his personal Twitter account that he's entered the transfer portal.

Impact Montes will now look to pursue his remaining three years of eligibility elsewhere following Wednesday's announcement. The 190-pounder has primarily operated as a backup quarterback throughout the last two years at New Mexico, however, he started in both of the team's final two matchups of the 2022-23 campaign and went 27-for-50 with 174 yards and an interception across those appearances.

JANUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE