After exploding on to the Mountain West scene in 2019, Fresno State senior linebacker Justin Rice has been added to the Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist for 2020. The first team All-MWC selection looks to be in the running for the nation’s top defensive player after a breakout first season on defense. The senior, and younger brother of tight end Jared Rice, was originally recruited as a running back in 2016, and saw marginal action in that terrible 1-11 season.
When Jeff Tedford and the new staff came in, Rice transitioned to safety after two new running backs were brought in in Ronnie Rivers and Jordan Mims.