One of the best safeties from the FCS ranks has joined the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class. Former Sacramento State safety Koa Akui has committed to the Owls.
The 2026 Rice Football Recruiting class includes Transfer Portal additions from all over FBS, but the Owls didn’t stop there, turning over every rock to maximize roster talent, including this crucial addition from the FCS ranks. Former Sacramento State safety Koa Akui has committed to the Owls.
Akui is about as decorated as they come in terms of transfer portal additions. An All-Big Sky selection in 2025, Akui has 20 games of collegiate experience under his belt, including starts in all 12 contests last season. A Pro Football Network FCS All-American, Akui tied for fifth in the nation in passes defended (11) and tied for second in interceptions (five). The nation’s leader, with six, played 16 games. Akui did it in 12.
The inclusion of Akui cements a robust rework of the Rice safety room, including new portal additions AJ Brown (UAB) and Caden VerMaas (Nebraska). The Owls also picked up corners Kyren Condoll (Duke), Tariq Watson (UAB) and Zach Cody (Coastal Carolina).
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Tape is harder to come by at the FCS level, but the sheer volume of turnover forcing plays Akui is involved in is staggering. For a Rice defense that hasn’t been particularly adept at creating that level of chaos in recent years, bringing in a true ballhawk on the backend like Akui has the potential to deliver a transformative effect to the Owls’ entire secondary.
