A Transfer Portal addition on the special teams front has joined the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class. Former Kent State punter Charlie Durkin has committed to the Owls.
After making a splash with additions on the offense and defensive side of the ball, the 2026 Rice Football Recruiting has its first new member on special teams. Former Kent State punter Charlie Durkin has committed to the Owls.
Durkin slides into a roster spot vacated by departing punter Alex Bacchetta, who elected to transfer from the Owls’ program this winter after an improved campaign in 2025.
Bacchetta’s 2024 season bears a striking resemblance to Durkin’s 2025. Last year Bacchetta averaged 41.2 yards per punt with a 37.7 net, whereas this season Durkin averaged 41.1 yards per punt with a 37.0 net. Bacchetta boosted both marks by about three yards this year. If Durkin can make a similar stride he could prove to be a steal for the Owls in this cycle.
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Durkin marks the fourth D1 transfer to join the class to this point. The headliner is UCF quarterback Jacurri Brown, but Rice also added second-year quarterback Gael Ochoa from UNLV as well as corner Zach Cody from Coastal Carolina.
I am officially in the portal!
— Charlie Durkin (@CharlieDurkin4) January 2, 2026
Thank you Kent State for everything
Grad Punter | 2 years of eligibility
49 Punts, 41.4 yd avg
6 50+ yard punts
Long of 63 14 punts inside 20
Week 4 Captain
Week 12 MAC Special Teams Player of the Week
📱: 3303881777
DMs open! pic.twitter.com/pV9TFpuE5i
