Monty Rice Bio
Montavian Lamar Rice-Jordan, known professionally as Monty Rice, is an American professional football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). Born on January 8, 1999, in Huntsville, Alabama, he rose to prominence as a defensive standout with the Georgia Bulldogs before being selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft. Across his professional career, he has spent time with the Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, and Detroit Lions. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and listed at 106 kilograms, Rice is recognized for his tackling ability and his leadership on the field.
Early Life and Background
Monty Rice was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, where he developed an early passion for football. He attended St. John Paul II Catholic High School for his freshman year before transferring to James Clemens High School in nearby Madison, Alabama, where he completed his final three years of high school. During his senior season in 2016, Rice delivered an outstanding performance, recording 137 tackles, one sack, four interceptions, and four touchdowns.
His strong senior campaign drew attention from several top college programs across the country. Originally, Rice committed to play college football at Louisiana State University (LSU). However, after reconsidering his options, he changed his commitment and signed with the University of Georgia, a decision that would shape his path toward the NFL.
Path to American Football
Rice’s journey to professional football began in earnest at James Clemens High School, where his production as a senior cemented his reputation as one of the top linebacker prospects in Alabama. His combination of size, instincts, and ball skills made him an attractive recruit for elite college programs seeking defensive talent.
His transition from high school star to collegiate contributor was quick. Rice enrolled at the University of Georgia and immediately saw the field as a true freshman in 2017, playing in 14 games with one start and recording 22 tackles. Over the following seasons, his role steadily expanded, and by his junior year he had become one of the leaders of the Bulldogs defense.
Monty Rice Career
Early Career at Georgia (2017–2020)
As a sophomore in 2018, Rice started five of nine games for the Bulldogs, recording 59 tackles and one sack while continuing to develop his coverage and run-stopping skills. His growth on the field was clear, and he earned a more prominent role heading into his junior season.
In 2019, Rice started all 14 games and was named a co-winner of the team’s Vince Dooley Defensive MVP award after leading Georgia with 89 tackles. That same season, he was recognized as a Second-team All-SEC selection. Rather than enter the 2020 NFL draft, Rice chose to return for his senior season, a decision that paid off when he earned First-team All-SEC honors and was named a Second-team All-American in 2020.
Tennessee Titans Era (2021–2023)
Rice entered the 2021 NFL draft as one of the top linebacker prospects from the Southeastern Conference. He was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round, 92nd overall, and signed his four-year rookie contract on July 24, 2021. He began his rookie season as a backup inside linebacker behind established veterans Rashaan Evans, Jayon Brown, and David Long Jr.
His rookie campaign was interrupted in Week 12 when he suffered an ankle injury, leading to a placement on injured reserve on November 30, 2021. The following offseason, Rice was placed on the Active/physically unable to perform list on July 23, 2022, and later moved to the reserve list on August 24 before being activated on October 8. After two seasons in Tennessee, Rice was waived by the Titans on December 5, 2023.
New Orleans Saints (2023–2024)
One day after being waived by Tennessee, Rice was claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Saints and signed to their active roster on December 6, 2023. His time in New Orleans offered an opportunity to contribute on defense during the final stretch of the season.
However, his tenure with the Saints was brief. On August 27, 2024, Rice was waived by New Orleans as the team finalized its roster heading into the regular season.
Atlanta Falcons (2024)
Shortly after his release from New Orleans, Rice signed with the Atlanta Falcons practice squad on August 30, 2024. The move allowed him to remain in the league and continue developing his skills within a new defensive system.
His time with the Falcons was short-lived. On October 21, 2024, Rice was released from the Atlanta practice squad, opening the door for his next opportunity.
New England Patriots (2024–2025)
On November 5, 2024, Rice signed with the New England Patriots practice squad, adding veteran linebacker depth to the organization. His consistent practice performance earned him a promotion to the active roster on January 4, 2025.
Rice remained with New England through the offseason but was released on August 22 as the Patriots trimmed their roster ahead of the regular season.
Detroit Lions (2025)
On September 9, 2025, Rice was signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad, giving him another opportunity to compete at the professional level. His release followed on September 16, 2025, marking the latest chapter in his journeyman professional career.
Driving Style and Strengths
While the term driving style is more common in motorsports, Rice’s professional profile reflects similar traits: a strong tackler with excellent field awareness, dependable coverage skills, and a willingness to play through injuries. His ability to read offensive plays and deliver timely tackles has been a hallmark of his game since his college days at Georgia.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Rice’s most notable achievements are his selection as a Second-team All-American in 2020, his First-team All-SEC honor the same year, and his earlier Second-team All-SEC recognition in 2019. Being named co-winner of the Vince Dooley Defensive MVP award at Georgia during his junior season stands out as one of the defining moments of his college career.
Monty Rice Career Wins
Throughout his college and professional career, Monty Rice has accumulated recognition through postseason honors rather than championship titles. His awards reflect consistent production and leadership on the defensive side of the ball.
Georgia Bulldogs Highlights
During his time at Georgia, Rice was a starter for multiple seasons and earned Defensive MVP recognition. He capped his college career as a Second-team All-American and First-team All-SEC selection in 2020.
Other Performances
Rice’s transition to the NFL included contributions with the Tennessee Titans and the New Orleans Saints, though he did not record major individual postseason accolades at the professional level during those stints.
Monty Rice Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Monty Rice’s family background and personal lineage are not widely documented in public sources. He grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, where his football journey began.
Personal Life
Public information about Rice’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, or children, is not widely available. He continues to focus on his professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
Monty Rice’s 2025 season has been marked by roster movement as he works to secure a stable role within an NFL organization. After being released by the New England Patriots in August 2025, he was signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad on September 9, offering a fresh opportunity to contribute on a competitive NFC team.
Although his release from Detroit came quickly on September 16, 2025, his continued presence on practice squads across the league signals that his professional window remains open. Teams value his experience, tackling ability, and knowledge of multiple defensive schemes.
Looking ahead, Rice’s outlook depends on his ability to land an active-roster opportunity. His track record of resilience, combined with his SEC pedigree and NFL experience, positions him as a potential late-season addition for a team in need of linebacker depth.