Montavious Stanley

Early years

At Dougherty Comprehensive High School, he was an accomplished three-sport athlete. He was a three-time All-Region selection at defensive tackle, while helping his team to a state title and a 13-2 record as a junior and an 11-2 record as a senior. He earned All-State honors in his last two years, registering 17 and 15 sacks respectively.

He was a three-time All-Region selection in basketball, helping his team win a state title as a senior, while averaging 10 points and 10 rebounds per game. He also practiced track for two years, finishing third in the region in the discus and shot put competitions as a senior.

College career

Stanley accepted a football scholarship from University of Louisville. He began his college career as a defensive end and was a part of a defensive line that included future NFL players Elvis Dumervil and Amobi Okoye. As a sophomore, he became a starter at left defensive end, before being moved to defensive tackle in the last game of the season, finishing with 37 tackles (13 for loss), 3 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries.

As a junior, he registered 30 tackles, 4 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown against Tulane University. In his final year he received All-Big East honors, after posting a career-high 48 tackles (10 for loss) and 5.5 sacks.

Dallas Cowboys (first stint)

Stanley was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round (182nd overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft, to play nose guard in the team's 3-4 defense. He was waived on September 2.

St. Louis Rams

After his release, he was signed to the St. Louis Rams' practice squad on September 4, 2006.

Jacksonville Jaguars (first stint)

On September 12, 2006, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed him from the Rams practice squad for depth purposes, after defensive end Reggie Hayward was placed on the injured reserve list. He played in 3 games and registered 4 tackles, half a sack, and a forced fumble before being cut on November 14.

Dallas Cowboys (second stint)

On November 16, 2006, he was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys to backup Jason Ferguson. He was released on August 27, 2007.

Atlanta Falcons

He was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Falcons on August 28, 2007. He played in 14 games (six starts) and registered 29 tackles. He was cut on August 30, 2008.

New Orleans Saints

Stanley signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints on October 8, 2008 and played in one game, before being placed on the injured reserve list on October 18.

Jacksonville Jaguars (second stint)

He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on July 23, 2009. He went on to play in a career-high 15 games (no starts), finishing with 24 tackles (1 for loss), one sack and 3 passes defensed. He was waived on April 26, 2010.

Omaha Nighthawks (UFL)

In 2010, he was drafted with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He played one season before the league folded.

Miami Dolphins

On July 25, 2010, he was signed by the Miami Dolphins, reuniting him with various coaches and front office personnel from the Dallas Cowboys, including Bill Parcells who was his head coach as a rookie. He was acquired for depth purposes after Jason Ferguson retired and was later released on September 4.

Detroit Lions

Stanley signed with the Detroit Lions on August 8, 2011, before being waived on August 29.