A JUCO transfer in his second year on campus, Boden Groen broke through in a major way to become our 2023 Rice Football Offensive Newcomer of the Year.
Spring ball and fall camp often serve as proving grounds for up-and-coming players. The fresh faces have their moments in the sun, earn a spot on the depth chart and, eventually, get their chance to produce on Saturday. Translating those practice successes to game day is the biggest challenge, but tight end Boden Groen did so with ease. He’s our 2023 Rice Football Offensive Newcomer of the Year.
Groen made his Rice debut in 2022, catching nine passes across 12 games as he worked to fully integrate himself into the Owls’ scheme after transferring from Saddleback College where he played the year prior. It was a somewhat inconspicuous start for a tight end presumed to be stuck behind multi-year starter Jack Bradley on the depth chart, but while he might have flown under the radar of spectators, the Rice coaching staff and his teammates were watching.
The first rumbles of Groen’s impending emergence began in the spring. The drum beat was unmistakable. “Boden Groen is a different player right now than he was last fall,” head coach Mike Bloomgren said in the spring. “The confidence he has, it’s pretty cool. He knows what he’s doing. He’s playing fast. He’s playing hard.”
If that wasn’t a strong enough endorsement, starting quarterback JT Daniels made a point to praise Groen in his comments following the conclusion of the spring game. “I wish more people took note of Boden,” Daniels said. “I think he’s going to be an absolute killer at the Y and F spot.”
At that point, Groen was flying under the radar no longer. Garnering the attention and praise of your head coach and star quarterback before that trio ever took the field together is hard to ignore. Then came fall camp where Groen took that buzz and grew it into a chorus.
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“He can run at his size. Those guys are hard to cover,” offensive coordinator Marques Tuiasosopo said of Groen’s skillset. “The ability for that position to run-block and threaten the middle of the field with athleticism and speed, that is a game-changer.” And finally, “We think Boden can be in that [Travis Kelce] mold for us in this conference.”
When the games arrived, expectations were mounting. Groen responded by leading the team in receptions in the season opener against Texas. He built on that with at least one reception, usually more, in every game of the season. The only other Rice player to achieve that in 2023? Star wide receiver Luke McCaffrey.
Groen scored his first collegiate touchdown against Tulane. A few weeks later he had a multi-touchdown performance against Florida Atlantic, propelling the Owls to their sixth win and bowl eligibility. With the season on the line and McCaffrey pulling copious amounts of attention, Groen was the clear No. 2 option in the passing game.
In fact, Groen finished the season second among all AAC tight ends with 37 receptions and third with 376 receiving yards. Those 37 catches were the most by a Rice football tight end since Vance McDonald in 2011. His yardage total was the highest since McDonald in 2012.
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Through it all, Groen stayed calm and humble. “Our coaches put together a great scheme every week,” Groen said. “And every week, I know that they’re going to call plays that are going to get me open, they’re gonna get Luke [McCaffrey] open, they’re going to get Dean [Connors] open.”
Coincidentally, that trio (Groen, McCaffrey and Connors) represented the top three pass catchers for Rice football this season. That’s a strong start for Groen to build on in 2024.
* Photo Credit: Maria Lysaker *
