{{Short description|American football player (born 1999)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Monty Rice | image = Monty Rice 2021 09-19.jpg | alt = | caption = Rice with the Tennessee Titans in 2021 | current_team = | number = | position = Linebacker | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|1|8}} | birth_place = Huntsville, Alabama, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 0 | weight_lb = 233 | high_school = James Clemens {{avoid wrap|(Madison, Alabama)}} <br> St. John Paul II Catholic {{avoid wrap|(Huntsville)}} | college = Georgia (2017–2020) | draftyear = 2021 | draftround = 3 | draftpick = 92 | pastteams = * Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2021|2023}}) * New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2023}}) * Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2024}})* * New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2024}}) * Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2025}}) * Louisville Kings ({{UFL Year|2026}})* | status = | highlights = * Second-team All-American (2020) * First-team All-SEC (2020) * Second-team All-SEC (2019) | statleague = NFL | statweek = | statseason = 2024 | statlabel1 = Total tackles | statvalue1 = 129 | statlabel2 = Sacks | statvalue2 = | statlabel3 = Forced fumbles | statvalue3 = | statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries | statvalue4 = | statlabel5 = Interceptions | statvalue5 = | statlabel6 = Pass deflections | statvalue6 = 2 | pfr = RiceMo00 }} '''Montavian Lamar Rice-Jordan''' (born January 8, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker. He previously played for the Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the Titans in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.
==Early life== Rice attended St. John Paul II Catholic High School in Huntsville, Alabama, his freshman year before transferring to James Clemens High School in Madison, Alabama where he spent his final three years.<ref name="al">{{Cite web |last=Boyette |first=Daniel |date=September 1, 2016 |title='No one's invincible': Alabama, Auburn target Monty Rice bounced back from leg injury, became coveted recruit |url=https://www.al.com/highschoolsports/article/no-ones-invincible-james-clemens-monty-rice-bounced-back-from-leg-injury-became-coveted-recruit/ |access-date=October 18, 2020 |website=AL.com}}</ref> As a senior in 2016, he had 137 tackles, one sack, four interceptions and four touchdowns. Rice originally committed to play college football at Louisiana State University (LSU) but later changed the commitment to the University of Georgia.<ref name="onlineathens">{{Cite web |last=Legge |first=Dean |date=January 2, 2017 |title=Monty Rice flips from LSU to Georgia |url=https://www.onlineathens.com/sports/2017-01-02/lb-monty-rice-flips-lsu-georgia |access-date=October 18, 2020 |website=Online Athens}}</ref><ref name="al2">{{Cite web |last=Boyette |first=Daniel |date=December 12, 2016 |title='The happiest day of my life': In-state LB Monty Rice chooses LSU over Auburn, Georgia |url=https://www.al.com/sports/2016/12/monty_rice.html |access-date=October 18, 2020 |website=AL.com}}</ref><ref name="macon">{{Cite web |date=July 17, 2018 |title=How Georgia's Monty Rice made up for what he perceived to be a 'mistake' |url=https://www.macon.com/sports/college/university-of-georgia/bulldogs-beat/uga-football/article215024340.html |access-date=October 18, 2020 |website=Macon.com}}</ref>
==College career== Rice played in 14 games with one start as a true freshman at Georgia in 2017 and had 22 tackles.<ref name="onlineathens2">{{Cite web |last=Weiszer |first=Marc |date=July 26, 2018 |title=Bulldogs ready for Monty Rice to make impact at ILB |url=https://www.onlineathens.com/story/sports/college/football/2018/07/26/bulldogs-ready-for-monty-rice-to-make-impact-at-ilb/11262241007/ |access-date=May 28, 2023 |website=Online Athens |language=en-US}}</ref> As a sophomore in 2018, he started five of nine games recording 59 tackles and one sack.<ref name="macon2">{{Cite web |date=August 6, 2019 |title=How Monty Rice's 'businessman' attitude about football has led to success for UGA linebacker |url=https://www.macon.com/sports/college/university-of-georgia/bulldogs-beat/article233579012.html |access-date=October 18, 2020 |website=Macon.com}}</ref><ref name="onlineathens3">{{Cite web |last=Weiszer |first=Marc |date=August 6, 2019 |title=Bulldogs ready for Monty Rice and his serious demeanor back on field |url=https://www.onlineathens.com/sports/20190806/bulldogs-ready-for-monty-rice-and-his-serious-demeanor-back-on-field |access-date=October 18, 2020 |website=Online Athens}}</ref> Rice started all 14 games his junior year in 2019 and was named a co-winner of the team's Vince Dooley Defensive MVP after leading the team with 89 tackles. Rice returned to Georgia for his senior season in 2020 rather than enter the 2020 NFL draft.<ref name="ajc">{{Cite web |last=Towers |first=Chip |date=January 8, 2020 |title=Monty Rice makes big decision for Georgia |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/college/monty-rice-makes-big-decision-for-georgia/mK9vCgqLysXuUN2gh6ZyjI/ |access-date=October 18, 2020 |website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}</ref>
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 0 3/8 | weight = 233 | dash = 4.57 | ten split = 1.58 | twenty split = 2.67 | shuttle = 4.33 | cone drill = 7.34 | vertical = 32.0 | broad ft = 10 | broad in = 1 | bench = | arm span = 30 3/4 | hand span = 8 3/4 | wonderlic = | note = All values from Pro Day<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/monty-rice/32005249-4315-0359-a09a-e3c931acc534 |title=Monty Rice Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=February 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1022883&DraftYear=2021 |title=Monty Rice, Georgia, ILB, 2021 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |website=draftscout.com |access-date=February 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/videos/titans-select-monty-rice-with-no-92-pick-in-2021-draft |title=Tennessee Titans select Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Monty Rice with No. 92 Pick in 2021 draft |website=NFL.com |access-date=February 1, 2022}}</ref> }}
===Tennessee Titans=== Rice was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round, 92nd overall, of the 2021 NFL draft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Jim |date=April 30, 2021 |title=Titans Select Georgia ILB Monty Rice in Third Round of NFL Draft |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-select-georgia-ilb-monty-rice-in-third-round-of-nfl-draft |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=TennesseeTitans.com}}</ref> On July 24, 2021, Rice signed his four-year rookie contract with the Titans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Charean |date=July 24, 2021 |title=Titans have all eight draft choices under contract after signing Monty Rice |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/07/24/titans-have-all-eight-draft-choices-under-contract-after-signing-monty-rice/ |access-date=May 28, 2023 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US}}</ref>
Rice entered his rookie season as a backup inside linebacker behind Rashaan Evans, Jayon Brown, and David Long Jr. He suffered an ankle injury in Week 12 and was placed on injured reserve on November 30, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moraitis |first=Mike |date=November 30, 2021 |title=Tennessee Titans place LB Monty Rice on IR |url=https://titanswire.usatoday.com/2021/11/30/tennessee-titans-monty-rice-injured-reserve/ |access-date=May 28, 2023 |website=Titans Wire |language=en-US}}</ref>
Rice was placed on the Active/physically unable to perform list on July 23, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Jim |date=July 23, 2022 |title=Roster Moves: Titans Bring Back DB Joshua Kalu While Placing Three Players on the PUP List |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/roster-moves-titans-bring-back-db-joshua-kalu-while-placing-three-players-on-the |access-date=July 24, 2022 |website=TennesseeTitans.com |language=en}}</ref> He was placed on the reserve list on August 24. He was activated on October 8.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Jim |date=October 8, 2022 |title=Titans Activate LB Monty Rice to 53-Man Roster, Place WR Treylon Burks on Injured Reserve |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-activate-lb-monty-rice-to-53-man-roster-place-wr-treylon-burks-on-injured |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=TennesseeTitans.com}}</ref>
On December 5, 2023, Rice was waived by the Titans.<ref>{{cite web|title=Titans Waive Linebacker Monty Rice|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-waive-lb-monty-rice|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=December 5, 2023}}</ref>
===New Orleans Saints=== On December 6, 2023, Rice was claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Saints and signed to their active roster.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sigler |first1=John |title=Saints announce 5 roster moves before Week 14 matchup vs. Panthers |url=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/lists/saints-report-roster-moves-injury-marcus-maye-malcolm-roach-pj-mustipher-monty-rice-daniel-sorensen-nfl-news/ |website=Saints Wire |access-date=7 December 2023}}</ref> He was waived on August 27, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-53-man-roster-cuts-moves-transactions-august-27-2024-nfl-season|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=August 27, 2024}}</ref>
===Atlanta Falcons=== On August 30, 2024, Rice was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Falcons complete initial practice squad with 3 signings, including a familiar face|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-practice-squad-signings-including-a-familiar-face|author=Waack, Terrin|website=AtlantaFalcons.com|date=August 30, 2024}}</ref> He was released on October 21.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Urben |first=Matt |date=October 21, 2024 |title=Falcons sign two players to practice squad, release two others |url=https://thefalconswire.usatoday.com/2024/10/21/falcons-news-rashaan-evans-nfl-roster/ |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=Falcons Wire |publisher=USA Today}}</ref>
===New England Patriots=== On November 5, 2024, Rice was signed to the New England Patriots practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Patriots Make a Series of Roster Moves|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-make-a-series-of-roster-moves-x4278|website=Patriots.com|date=November 5, 2024}}</ref> He was promoted to the active roster on January 4, 2025.<ref>{{cite web|title=Patriots Make A Series of Transactions|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-make-a-series-of-transactions-x1142|website=Patriots.com|date=January 4, 2025}}</ref> On August 22, Rice was released by the Patriots.<ref>{{cite web |title=Patriots Release 14 Players |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-release-14-players-x3050 |website=Patriots.com |access-date=23 August 2025}}</ref>
===Detroit Lions=== On September 9, 2025, Rice was signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Detroit Lions add 2 new practice squad players|url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lions-transactions/141425/detroit-lions-add-2-new-practice-squad-players|work=Pride of Detroit|date=September 9, 2025}}</ref> He was released on September 16.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Camino |first1=Tony |title=Lions Officially Announce Five Roster Moves |url=https://bvmsports.com/2025/09/16/lions-officially-announce-five-roster-moves/ |website=BVM Sports |access-date=17 September 2025}}</ref>
=== Louisville Kings === On January 14, 2026, Rice was selected by the Louisville Kings of the United Football League (UFL).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Day Two of UFL Draft Introduces New Faces and Ignites the New Era of Spring Football |url=https://www.theufl.com/news/day-two-of-ufl-draft-introduces-new-faces-and-ignites-the-new-era-of-spring-football |access-date=2026-01-16 |website=www.theufl.com |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== *[https://georgiadogs.com/sports/football/roster/monty-rice/4754 Georgia Bulldogs bio]
{{Tennessee Titans 2021 draft navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rice, Monty}} Category:1999 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from Huntsville, Alabama Category:American football linebackers Category:Georgia Bulldogs football players Category:Tennessee Titans players Category:New Orleans Saints players Category:Atlanta Falcons players Category:New England Patriots players Category:Detroit Lions players