UGA football roster: The defense revolves around Monty Rice

At the center of the UGA football defense is inside linebacker Monty Rice. The senior earned All-SEC honors last season and started every game.

UGA football has leaders and great players all over its vaunted defense, but the most important defensive player is senior inside linebacker Monty Rice.

In Georgia’s scheme, the inside linebacker positions are the most important. The coaches require ILBs to dissect plays before the snap, react instantly, and to make plays on all areas of the field. Georgia’s defense is at its best with an ILB who can “quarterback” the defense.

Rice fills that role perfectly and earned second-team All-SEC honors last season as a result. He led the team with 89 total tackles with three resulting in a loss. Rice’s success is no surprise to fans. Head coach Kirby Smart praised Rice constantly in the spring of 2018, which was notable because Roquan Smith vacated his defensive role when he left for the NFL. Injuries and the emergence of Tae Crowder delayed Rice’s coronation, but he made the most of his 14 starts in 2019.

Rice everything Georgia’s coaches and fans want out of an inside linebacker. His instincts are top-notch, he knows what way the ball is going and the best way to get to it. Once at the ball carrier, Rice is an excellent tackler. He has a lot of strength and he tackles with great form, its rare that a ball carrier ever breaks a tackle when wrapped up by Rice.

The only aspect missing from Rice’s game last year was pass coverage. He allowed too many completions across the middle of the field. Some games were worse than others, but if he improves in coverage, there’s no reason why Rice won’t be an All-American at the end of the season.