Monty Rice Bio
Montavian Lamar Rice-Jordan, known professionally as Monty Rice, is an American professional football linebacker born on January 8, 1999, in Huntsville, Alabama. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing around 233 pounds, Rice has built his career as an inside linebacker known for his tackling and defensive instincts. After stops with the Titans and the New Orleans Saints, he continued his professional journey across several rosters and practice squads.
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 in Huntsville 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. As a senior in 2016, he posted an impressive stat line of 137 tackles, one sack, four interceptions, and four touchdowns, drawing attention from college recruiters across the country.
Rice originally committed to play college football at Louisiana State University before changing his commitment to the University of Georgia. That decision to join the Bulldogs would shape the next phase of his football career, placing him in one of the most competitive defensive programs in the Southeastern Conference. His family roots in Alabama and his strong high school production helped lay the foundation for his future success at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Rice’s path to professional American football began with his standout senior season at James Clemens High School, where his mix of tackles, interceptions, and touchdowns showed his versatility as a defensive playmaker. His recruitment by major programs reflected his potential, and his late switch from LSU to Georgia positioned him within a defense known for producing NFL talent. The strength and tackling ability he developed in high school translated smoothly into the college game.
During his freshman year at Georgia in 2017, Rice appeared in 14 games with one start and recorded 22 tackles, gaining valuable experience against top-tier competition. As a sophomore in 2018, he started five of nine games and tallied 59 tackles with one sack, continuing his development as a reliable defender. By his junior year in 2019, he had become a full-time starter and team leader on the Bulldogs defense.
Monty Rice Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Rice’s early college career at the University of Georgia showed steady progression. After a productive freshman season, he expanded his role in his sophomore campaign and became a defensive leader by his junior year. In 2019, he started all 14 games and was named a co-winner of the team’s Vince Dooley Defensive MVP award after leading the Bulldogs with 89 tackles.
Rather than enter the 2020 NFL draft, Rice returned to Georgia for his senior season, a decision that paid off with national recognition. He was named a Second-team All-American and earned First-team All-SEC honors in 2020, cementing his status as one of the top linebackers in college football. His earlier Second-team All-SEC selection in 2019 added to his growing list of accolades.
Tennessee Titans Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Rice was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round, 92nd overall, of the 2021 NFL draft. On July 24, 2021, he signed his four-year rookie contract with the team. He entered his rookie season as a backup inside linebacker behind established veterans Rashaan Evans, Jayon Brown, and David Long Jr., learning the professional game from experienced teammates.
His rookie year was interrupted by an ankle injury in Week 12, which led to his placement on injured reserve on November 30, 2021. In 2022, Rice was placed on the Active/physically unable to perform list on July 23 and later moved to the reserve list on August 24 before being activated on October 8. He continued contributing to the Titans defense through the 2023 season until he was waived on December 5, 2023.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2024)
On August 30, 2024, Rice signed with the Atlanta Falcons practice squad, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his career. His time with the Falcons was brief, as he was released on October 21, 2024. During this period, he worked to stay ready for a return to an active roster.
New Orleans Saints Era (2023–2024)
The day after being waived by the Titans, on December 6, 2023, Rice was claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Saints and signed to their active roster. He spent the remainder of the 2023 season with New Orleans, providing depth at linebacker. On August 27, 2024, Rice was waived by the Saints, ending his second stint with a new team in less than a year.
New England Patriots Era (2024–2025)
On November 5, 2024, Rice signed with the New England Patriots practice squad, continuing his pursuit of an active roster spot. He was promoted to the active roster on January 4, 2025, giving him an opportunity to contribute late in the season. On August 22, 2025, he was released by the Patriots as the team reshaped its roster.
Detroit Lions Era (2025)
On September 9, 2025, Rice was signed by the Detroit Lions to their practice squad. His time with Detroit lasted just one week, as he was released on September 16, 2025. Despite the short stay, his continued movement across rosters reflected his perseverance in extending his professional career.
Louisville Kings Era (2026)
On January 14, 2026, Rice was selected by the Louisville Kings of the United Football League (UFL), a spring football league that provided him with a new opportunity to continue playing the sport professionally. This move marked a fresh chapter in his career beyond the NFL.
Driving Style and Strengths
Rice built his reputation as a tackling-focused inside linebacker with strong instincts in run support. His college production at Georgia, including 89 tackles in a single season, highlighted his ability to read plays and finish tackles consistently. His capacity to contribute on special teams and in defensive subpackages has helped him remain a serviceable professional across multiple organizations.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Rice’s career came when he was named a co-winner of Georgia’s Vince Dooley Defensive MVP award in 2019. Being selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft and signing a four-year rookie contract with the Tennessee Titans marked the official start of his professional career. His continued presence on NFL practice squads and his selection by the Louisville Kings in 2026 reflect his dedication to the game.
Monty Rice Career Wins
Monty Rice’s professional résumé is defined more by defensive contributions and career longevity than by headline win totals. Across his NFL stops with the Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, and Detroit Lions, he has been valued for his tackling, special teams play, and defensive depth. As of the 2024 season, he had recorded 129 total tackles and 2 pass deflections in his NFL career.
Tennessee Titans Highlights
During his time with the Tennessee Titans from 2021 to 2023, Rice contributed primarily on defense and special teams while learning behind veteran linebackers. His most consistent stretch came after returning from injury in 2022, when he provided rotational depth at inside linebacker. His three-year tenure with the Titans helped establish his foundation as an NFL linebacker.
Other Wins & Performances
Rice’s career has also included brief but meaningful stints with the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, and Detroit Lions, where he contributed on practice squads and active rosters. His selection by the Louisville Kings of the UFL in January 2026 added another chapter to his professional journey, extending his career into spring football.
Monty Rice Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Monty Rice’s family background are limited, and no widely reported information connects his family to a specific football lineage. He grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, and developed his football skills through local high school programs. His support system during his college recruitment and professional transition played a role in his continued career progression.
Personal Life
Rice has largely kept his personal life private, and verified public information about a spouse or children is not currently available. He continues to focus on his professional football career, moving between NFL rosters and the UFL. His residence and off-field activities remain outside the scope of confirmed public reporting.
2025 Season Performance
Rice’s 2025 season was marked by frequent movement between practice squads and active rosters, a common path for veteran linebackers seeking to extend their careers. He signed with the Detroit Lions practice squad on September 9, 2025, before being released one week later on September 16. His prior promotion to the New England Patriots active roster in January 2025 had given him a brief window of regular-season action earlier in the year.
His selection by the Louisville Kings of the UFL in January 2026 opened a new avenue for continued play, providing him a platform to showcase his skills in a spring league. While his 2025 NFL opportunities were limited, his persistence in staying ready and available kept his professional options open. His career arc in 2025 reflected the modern reality of NFL journeyman linebackers who balance practice squad roles with hopes of an active roster call-up.
Looking ahead, Rice’s outlook includes competing for a roster spot in the UFL with the Louisville Kings, where his tackling ability and defensive instincts could translate into a featured role. His experience at Georgia and across multiple NFL organizations gives him a strong foundation for success in spring football. Continued health and strong performances could position him for future opportunities at the professional level.
