Kentrell Brice

Kentrell Brice
refer to caption
Brice in the 2017 NFL preseason
No. 29 – Green Bay Packers
Position: Free safety
Personal information
Born: (1994-08-11) August 11, 1994
Ruston, Louisiana
Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight: 200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school: Ruston (Ruston, Louisiana)
College: Louisiana Tech
Undrafted: 2016
Career history
Roster status: Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 1, 2018
Total tackles: 58
Sacks: 1.0
Pass deflections: 4
Interceptions: 1
Forced fumbles: 0
Player stats at NFL.com

Kentrell Montez Brice[1] (born August 11, 1994) is an American football free safety for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Louisiana Tech and signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2016.[2]

Professional career

On March 22, 2016, Brice attended Louisiana Tech's pro day and had an impressive performance after completing all of the combine drills. His vertical jump (42") would've finished first among all defensive backs at the NFL Combine and his broad jump (11'1") and bench press (21 reps) would've ranked second among defensive backs.[3] Brice received a private workout for the Green Bay Packers the following week.[4] At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Brice was projected to go undrafted and was expected to be signed as an undrafted free agent. He was ranked as the 16th best strong safety prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com and was ranked the 44th best safety by Scouts Inc.[5]

Pre-draft measurables
Ht Wt 40-yard dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert jump Broad BP
5 ft 11 in
(1.80 m)		 200 lb
(91 kg)		 4.44 s 1.56 s 2.53 s 4.40 s 7.66 s 41 1⁄2 in
(1.05 m)		 11 ft 1 in
(3.38 m)		 21 reps
All values from Louisiana Tech's Pro Day[3]

2016

Brice went undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft, but received undrafted free agent contract offers from the Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Jacksonville Jaguars.[6] On May 1, 2016, the Green Bay Packers signed Brice to a three-year, $1.62 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $2,000 as an undrafted free agent.[7][1][8]

Throughout training camp, Brice competed for a roster spot as a backup safety against Marwin Evans, Jermaine Whitehead, and Chris Banjo.[9] Head coach Mike McCarthy named him the third free safety on the Packers' depth chart to start the season, behind veterans Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Chris Banjo.[10]

He made his professional regular season debut in the Green Bay Packers' season-opening 27–23 win at the Jacksonville Jaguars. On September 25, 2016, Brice made his first career tackle in the Packers' 34–27 victory against the Detroit Lion. He finished their Week 3 victory with two combined tackles. On October 31, 2016, the Packers released safety Chris Banjo. Brice subsequently became the primary backup free safety after Banjo's release.[11][12] On November 13, 2016, he collected a season-high five combined tackles and a pass deflection during the Packer's 25–47 loss to the Tennessee Titans. In Week 17, Brice earned his first career start as an extra defensive back and recorded a season-high five solo tackles during a 31–24 win against the Detroit Lions.[13] He finished his rookie season in 2016 with 26 combined tackles (22 solo) and a pass deflection in 16 games and one start.[14]

The Green Bay Packers finished first in the NFC North with a 10–6 record and earned a playoff berth in 2016. On January 8, 2017, Brice appeared in his first career playoff game and made one tackle in the Packers' 38–13 win against the New York Giants in the NFC Wildcard Game. The following week, Brice collected a season-high seven combined tackles and broke up a pass in a 34–31 victory at the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Round. The Packers were eliminated from the playoffs after losing 44–21 at the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game.[13]

2017

Brice entered training camp as a backup safety and competed to retain the role against rookie Josh Jones. Head coach Mike McCarthy named Brice the primary backup strong safety, behind Morgan Burnett, to begin the regular season in 2017.[15]

On September 17, 2017, Brice recorded three solo tackles before exiting the Packers' 34–23 loss at the Atlanta Falcons due to a groin injury. His injury sidelined him for the Packers' Week 3 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals.[16] On September 28, 2017, Brice recorded four combined tackles, broke up pass, and made his first career interception in the Packers' 35–14 win against the Chicago Bears in Week 4. Brice made his first career interception off a pass attempt by Bears' quarterback Mike Glennon, that was originally intended for wide receiver Deonte Thompson, during the third quarter.[17] Brice sustained a sprained ankle during the game and was carted off the field in the second quarter. On November 3, 2017, the Green Bay Packers officially placed Brice on injured reserve after he was unable to fully recover from ankle injury.[18] Brice was initially diagnosed with a sprained ankle, but discovered he had actually torn his deltoid ligament in his ankle which required ankle reconstruction injury he successfully underwent in November.[19] He finished the 2017 NFL season with 23 combined tackles (19 solo), three pass deflections, and an interception in six games and three starts.[14]

2018

On January 1, 2018, the Green Bay Packers announced their decision to fire defensive coordinator Dom Capers.[20] On January 10, 2018, the Green Bay Packers announced their decision to hire former Cleveland Browns' head coach Mike Pettine as their new defensive coordinator.[21] During training camp, Brice competed to be the starting strong safety against Josh Jones after it was left vacant by the departure of Morgan Burnett in free agency.[22] Head coach Mike McCarthy named Brice and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix the starting safeties to begin the regular season in 2018. They started alongside cornerbacks Tramon Williams and Kevin King.[23]

He started in the Green Bay Packers' season-opener against the Chicago Bears and recorded nine combined tackles and made his first career sack on Bears' quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in the first quarter of their 24–23 victory.[24]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
CombSoloAstSackSafetyPDIntYdsLngTDsFFFRYdsTD
2016GB 161262240.00100000100
2017GB 63231940.0031111100100
Total224494180.0041111100100
Source: NFL.com

Postseason

YearTeamGPGSTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
CombSoloAstSackSafetyPDIntYdsLngTDsFFFRYdsTD
2016GB 307700.00100000000
Total307700.00100000000
Source: pro-football-reference.com

References

  1. 1 2 "Green Bay Packers Player Profile: Kentrell Brice". packers.com. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
  2. ↑ Ruston's Kentrell Brice signs UDFA deal with Packers
  3. 1 2 "Kentrell Brice, DS #16 SS, Louisiana Tech". draftscout.com. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  4. ↑ Huber, Bill (May 5, 2016). "Pro Day Potentially Saved Brice's Career". 247sports.com. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  5. ↑ "NFL Kentrell Brice -ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Ruston's Kentrell Brice signs UDFA deal with Packers". thenewsstar.com. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Packers sign 19 rookie free agents". Packers.com. May 6, 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Spotrac.com: Kentrell Brice contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Is Kentrell Brice the Packers' next undrafted star". totalpackers.com. July 1, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Packers 2016 Depth Chart Projection for Week 1". acmepackingcompany.com. September 6, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Chris Banjo leaves games vs. Giants with hamstring injury". cbssports.com. October 13, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Packers and Chris Banjo part ways". snotapwi.com. November 1, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  13. 1 2 "NFL Player stats: Kentrell Brice (2016)". NFL.com. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  14. 1 2 "NFL Player stats: Kentrell Brice (career)". NFL.com. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Packers projected depth chart following 2017 final cuts". acmepackingcompany.com. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Kentrell Brice thankful he didn't injure groin worse in Atlanta". PackersNews.com. September 26, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  17. ↑ "NFL Game Center: Week 4-2017: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers". Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Packers activate LB Biegel; sign LS Hart and CB Brown". Packers.com. November 3, 2017.
  19. ↑ Wood, Brian (June 12, 2018). "Packers safety Kentrell Brice pleased with progress after ankle surgery". PackersNews.com. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Dom Capers, Packers' defensive boss since '09, fired". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Packers hire Joe Philbin, Mike Pettine as coordinators". NFL.com. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Josh Jones ready if Kentrell Brice misses time". 247Sports.com. June 30, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Ourlads.com: Green Bay Packers Depth Chart: 09/01/2018". Ourlads.com. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers - September 9th, 2018". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
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