London Montgomery’s Christmas Break Turns Into Disappearing Act For ECU Football

He couldn’t wait until after the bowl?

East Carolina took the field Saturday in the Military Bowl without their starting running back London Montgomery. The true sophomore did not return to campus following the Christmas break.

He’s made the move to place his name into the transfer portal.

Montgomery appeared fully prepared to suit up for East Carolina in the Military Bowl matchup against Pittsburgh, coming off a standout season that marked his emergence. He joined his teammates for practices in the lead-up to the contest, participating as though he intended to cap off his 2025 campaign with a Pirates bowl victory. (They ultimately won and covered the spread for me in the process)

East Carolina was then released for Christmas break. (RELATED: Brawl Breaks Out At End Of Bush’s Boca Raton Bowl Of Beans To Deliver True Christmas Spirit)

With their bowl game scheduled for Dec. 27, the ECU squad was dismissed for their break days ahead of Dec. 25. Montgomery headed back to his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania to spend time with his family.

But, well, he never came back.

Players returned to campus recently for the final preparations ahead of the bowl game, but Montgomery was absent. He didn’t travel back to Greenville following the break, opting instead to enter the transfer portal.

As a result, when East Carolina lined up Saturday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, the team had to rely heavily on backup running backs Marlon Gunn Jr. and TJ Engleman Jr. for most of the carries.

“Their starting running back went home at Christmas and never came back,” stated ESPN broadcasters during the game, per BroBible.

East Carolina running back London Montgomery practiced with his team before Christmas Break.

And then he went home for the holidays and never returned.

Details: https://t.co/pQhxUwgaR2https://t.co/pQhxUwgaR2

— BroBible (@BroBible) December 27, 2025

I have no problem with kids exercising the transfer portal, I’d do the same thing, but seriously, quitting on your team? … Not a good look.