The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class got a late Christmas present, picking up a pledge from a versatile playmaker. Sawyer Rice has committed to the Owls.
The Early Signing Period in mid-December represented the first big push for the 2026 Rice Football Recruiting class, but spots were left open for select additions to that initial group. One such new face has been added to the fold. Duncan (OK) athlete Sawyer Rice has committed to the Owls.
Rice had interest from a host of American Conference programs before landing at his namesake school. He held offers from North Texas, Army and Navy before shutting things down with a pledge to the Owls just after Christmas.
The first high school commitment since the Early Signing Period, Rice is expected to put pen to paper during the traditional February signing period alongside current unsigned commits, long snapper Hamilton Sharpe and corner Jordan Mitchell.
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No definitive decision has been made as to how Rice will fit into the Owls’ offensive scheme, but the initial plans as of now are to start him at receiver or in the slot and go from there. The film shows a dynamic athlete who can do impressive things with the ball in his hands. The only question at this point is how the ball is going to arrive.
