The 2022 Rice Football recruiting class has added experience up front, earning a commitment from JUCO offensive lineman Weston Kropp.
Adding an experienced piece along the offensive line has been on the to-do list for the 2022 Rice football recruiting class since the Early Signing Period. The Owls were content with their pair of high school scholarship signees at the position, but hoped to add one proven player that could contend for time in the rotation, at the very least.
After a few months of searching, Rice has found their guy, landing a commitment from JUCO offensive lineman Weston Kropp. Kropp was lightly recruited out of high school, mainly receiving offers from a handful of JUCOs. He spent the 2021 season at Jones College where he appeared in eight games.
Kropp joins what has become a tidal wave of young offensive lineman commitments this week. The Owls picked up three additions in the 2023 class — Nate Bledsoe, Luke Needham and Peyton Farmer. Kropp will have the benefit of having a year of college ball under his belt and he’ll be with the Owls this season.
Kropp has experience at center, something that undoubtedly made him an intriguing addition for the Owls. Prior to his addition, Braedon Nutter, a starting guard, was slated to be the backup center, inevitably causing mass shuffling along the line if a change needed to be made.
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On the tape, Kropp checks a lot of boxes. He’s quick off the ball and holds up well in pass protection. Getting his 6-foot-4, 300-pound frame in the weight room with strength coach Hans Straub should only serve to accentuate his strong talent base. He’ll have three seasons of eligibility remaining.
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