Former James Clemens Athletes Stenberg And Rice Named All-SEC

MADISON- Two former teammates at James Clemens High have been named to the Associated Press 2019 All-SEC Football Team.

Senior offensive lineman Logan Stenberg of Kentucky was tabbed as a First Team selection while junior linebacker Monty Rice of Georgia was selected for the All-SEC Second Team. Both played under Wade Waldrop at James Clemens.

Stenberg, a 6-foot-6, 322-pound guard is a projected NFL Draft lineman as he has anchored the Wildcats’ offensive line since arriving on campus. He’s expected to be a Day 2 draft pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and has been regarded by some draft experts as an “immovable force” who has progressed immensely through the 2019 season after being named among the top 10 guards in the pre-season rankings. He has started every game at left guard for the Wildcats beginning with his sophomore season.

He contemplated entering the 2019 NFL Draft, but chose to return to the Cats who had a monstrous offensive unit returning this season. Kentucky finished the season with three consecutive victories to complete the regular season at 7-5 and 3-5 in the SEC and will face Virginia Tech (8-4) in the Belk Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31 in Charlotte.

Stenberg was also chosen on the Second Team in the Coaches All-SEC selections.

Rice led the Georgia Bulldogs in both solo (45) and total tackles (84) for a defensive squad that was ranked No. 2 by the NCAA in scoring defense (12 points per game) and No. 3 in rushing (75.7 yards per game). The squad allowed 274.5 total yards per outing.

The 6-1, 235 junior led the fifth-ranked Bulldogs to an 11-2 overall record and 7-1 in the SEC along with a spot in the SEC Championship where they fell to LSU. Now, Rice and his teammates are preparing for a New Year’s Day showdown against the No. 7 Baylor Bears (11-2) in the Sugar Bowl.

At James Clemens, Rice was an All-State performer with 137 tackles, including 80 solo earning a spot on the Class 7A All-State First Team. He committed to LSU after numerous offers from several schools, but just before signing he chose the Georgia program where he has flourished since arriving on campus. An all-round athlete, Rice helped his youth basketball team the Cavaliers in Madison with the division championship going 13-0 and once threw the shot put in track. He transferred to James Clemens as a sophomore after one season at John Paul Catholic School where he suffered a broken leg and dislocated knee.