More depth in the defensive trenches is on its way. Former Texas Tech defensive end Sam Carrell has committed to the Owls.
Spring is the season to make sure the roster is ready for the year ahead and with the program light in the defensive trenches, adding at least a couple of defensive linemen to the 2025 Rice Football recruiting class. That group gained another member this week. Texas Tech defensive end Sam Carrell has committed to the Owls.
Carrell’s college football career began as an offensive lineman at Washington State before he transferred to Texas Tech following a redshirt season with the Cougars and flipped to the defensive side of the ball. He split time between defensive end and outside linebacker with the Red Raiders across three seasons, primarily playing a support role and entering the Transfer Portal this spring.
When it came to arriving at South Main, Carrell credited the staff and the scheme, first and foremost calling head coach Scott Abell and defensive line coach Ty Warren “the kind of people I want to play for,” crediting the staff with establishing a unit that allows him to “play confident and free.”
Carrell’s commitment comes amidst a run of recent defensive additions for the Owls in the portal. North Texas defensive lineman VJ Bronson committed a few days prior and Oregon State safety Jack Kane announced his pledge on the same day. That’s a lot of experience added to the roster in a short window of time.
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At 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, Carrell certainly has the frame to play on the line in this scheme. He’ll slide in as a pass rusher off the edge, providing another veteran hand in a room in need of depth. “I’m very proud of my versatility, strong hands, and pass-rush ability,” Carrell told The Roost.
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