Monty Rice Bio
Montavian Lamar Rice-Jordan 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. After spending time with the Titans and the New Orleans Saints, he is currently signed to the Atlanta Falcons. Notable achievements in his college career include being named a Second-team All-American and receiving multiple All-SEC honors.
Early Life and Background
Montavian Rice attended St. John Paul II Catholic High School in Huntsville, Alabama, during his freshman year before transferring to James Clemens High School in Madison, Alabama, where he spent his final three years. As a senior in 2016, he had an impressive season, recording 137 tackles, one sack, four interceptions, and scoring four touchdowns. Initially, Rice committed to play college football at Louisiana State University (LSU) but later changed his commitment to the University of Georgia.
Path to American Football
At the University of Georgia, Rice played in 14 games with one start as a true freshman in 2017, accumulating 22 tackles. In his sophomore year, he started five of nine games and recorded 59 tackles and one sack. His junior year in 2019 was particularly notable as he started all 14 games and was named a co-winner of the team’s Vince Dooley Defensive MVP after leading the team with 89 tackles. Rice opted to return for his senior season in 2020 instead of entering the NFL Draft.
Monty Rice Career
Early Career (2021-2023)
Montavian Rice was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round, 92nd overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year rookie contract with the Titans on July 24, 2021. Rice began his rookie season as a backup inside linebacker but faced challenges, including an ankle injury that placed him on injured reserve on November 30, 2021. He was activated on October 8, 2022, after being placed on the Active/physically unable to perform list.
Breakthrough (2023-Present)
On December 5, 2023, Rice was waived by the Titans and subsequently claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Saints the following day. He was signed to their active roster but was waived on August 27, 2024. Rice then signed with the Atlanta Falcons on August 30, 2024, initially joining their practice squad. He was released on October 21, 2024. Later, on November 5, 2024, he joined the New England Patriots’ practice squad and was promoted to the active roster on January 4, 2025. However, he was released by the Patriots on August 22, 2025, and subsequently signed with the Detroit Lions practice squad on September 9, 2025.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Montavian Rice has made significant contributions on the field, including his impressive college statistics and his journey through multiple NFL teams.
Monty Rice Award Nominations
Montavian Rice has received several accolades during his college career, including being named a Second-team All-American and earning First-team All-SEC honors in 2020.
Monty Rice Awards Won
Throughout his time in college football, Montavian Rice has won multiple awards, including the Second-team All-American in 2020 and First-team All-SEC in the same year.
Monty Rice Family
Information regarding Montavian Rice’s family is not publicly available.
Personal Life
Details about Montavian Rice’s personal life, including marital status or children, are not publicly disclosed.
