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Rice Football Recruiting: K Tommy Bauchiero commits to Owls

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The first specialist of the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class is on board. Kicker Tommy Bauchiero from Brentwood Academy (TN) has committed to the Owls.

An action-packed weekend on South Main doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. Fresh off a wave of commitments in recent days, the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class continues to stockpile talent. This time, Rice has added its first specialist of the class into the fold. Kicker Tommy Baucheiro from Brentwood Academy (TN) has committed to the Owls.

Bauchiero also had an offer from UConn at the time of his commitment, picking the blue and white Owls over the similarly color-schemed Huskies. He earned his Rice offer in camp a few weeks ago by winning the field goal and kickoff competition.

The addition of Bauchiero brings the 2026 class to 11 members, and counting. He’s one of four players to announce a commitment to the Owls in the past four days, proof of an exciting round of camps and official visits on campus over recent weeks. SLOT Jai Jacobs-Ford, linebacker Jayden Cupitt and corner James Henderson are the other new additions from the weekend.

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Bauchiero’s highlights are exactly what you’d expect to see from a kicking prospect. He kicks the ball hard and far, including a 59-yard field goal during the year. He’s got a big leg and will give the Owls a kickoff man, in addition to his field goal duties.

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Rice Football Recruiting: SLOT Jai Jacobs-Ford commits to Owls

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Another offensive weapon has joined the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class. SLOT Jai Jacobs-Ford from Gosnell High School (AR) has committed to the Owls.

After a run of defensive additions to the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class, the offense got back on board in a big way. Listed as a wide receiver in some places and an athlete in others, the Owls’ latest addition is a perfect fit to play in the SLOT in this offense. Gosnell (AR) wide receiver Jai Jacobs-Ford has committed to the Owls.

Jacobs-Ford managed to fly a little bit under the radar throughout the spring, picking up offers from Sacramento State, Cornell and Central Arkansas, among others, before Rice football jumped into the mix with a formal offer in May. Following an official visit to campus in June, Jacobs-Ford had seen enough and made his pledge to the Blue and Gray.

“Coach Abell and [coach Eisenhofer] and the rest of the staff made me feel like I was at home,” Jacobs-Ford told The Roost. “The players played a big part in it. I like how everyone gets along. I also love the offense and the academics.”

The offensive skill talent in the 2026 class has really started to take shape with Jacobs-Ford into the mix. He joins fellow SLOT Jacob Swain and wide receiver Prince Hall, who have made their pledges in the past month. That’s a lot of athleticism for quarterback commit Aiden Smalls to work with.

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It’s probably no coincidence that the camera visibly blurs on the first rep of Jacobs-Ford’s highlight tape. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound pass catcher is lightning fast and explosive, able to make a move and accelerate into the open field. He’s going to be a lot of fun to watch in the Owls’ spread option attack.

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Rice Football Recruiting: LB Jayden Cupitt commits to Owls

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The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class continues to stockpile talented defenders. Lake Ridge linebacker Jayden Cupitt has committed to the Owls.

It’s been quite the week for the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class, with a wave of new additions to the group, including the last three and counting from the defensive ranks. Owls’ defensive coordinator Jon Kay has had plenty to smile about as he pulls in talented players, several of which hail from just down the road. That includes the latest newcomer: Mansfield, TX product Jayden Cupitt from Lake Ridge HS has committed to the Owls.

Rice was in on Cupitt early in the spring, extending him an offer in March. That relationship continued to strengthen as Cupitt began to pick up interest from elsewhere, including a push from Boise State this summer. Ultimately though, Cupitt decided to stay home and play his ball in Houston, picking Rice over interest from Boise State, Liberty, Texas State, Bowling Green, Missouri State and others.

That’s four key additions for the Owls’ defense in the 2026 class now as Cupitt’s pledge comes a day after an announcement from Cy Falls corner James Henderson. The Rice defense also has commitments from defensive lineman Quincy Tchikou and edge JD Singletary.

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Cupitt is a versatile defensive piece, something which jumps out quickly even from just a cursory look from his highlights. He’s quick for a 6-foot-3, 215 pound defender who probably lands at an outside linebacker role at the next level, a position that has proven quite productive in this defense in the past.

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Rice Football Recruiting: CB James Henderson commits to Owls

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The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class didn’t have to go far to add a difference maker in the secondary. Cy Falls corner back James Henderson has committed to the Owls.

Even in today’s ever-changing recruiting environment, getting players to campus remains a crucial piece of the process. The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class set itself up for success with a series of important camps and official visits over the last few weekends. Once such attendee saw enough to make a pledge. James Henderson has committed to the Owls.

Landing a commitment from Henderson represents a massive win for Rice football on the recruiting trail. Henderson’s offer list sat at 29 programs at the time of his decision. Henderson spurned offers from Michigan State, Oklahoma State and Wake Forest, just to name a few. Instead of head out of state, Henderson is staying home and will be a building block for an already robust 2026 class.

Henderson is just the third defensive addition to the class so far, which has skewed more heavily toward offensive players in terms of commitments in the first few months. On the other side of the ball, Henderson joins pass rushers Quincy Tchikou from Cy Ranch and JD Singletary from Middletown (OH).

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Why so many programs were in on Henderson from the start becomes readily apparent when you turn on the tape. The long, 6-foot-2 corner can win on an island and reads the ball well in the air. And, just as important, he has the athleticism to do something with the ball when he gets it.

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Rice Baseball 2025: MLB Owls Update – Jun 18

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The 2025 MLB season is underway and Rice baseball alums are making the most of their time in The Show. Here’s the latest from the MLB Owls.

Dane Myers – Miami Marlins

Game after game, Myers’ incredible season just keeps getting better and better. He’s moved well past a strong month and good fortune and has become a force for the Marlins on both sides of the ball. For one, he’s one of the most consistent hitters in the sport right now:

And if that wasn’t enough, he’s playing Gold Glove caliber defense in center field too:

What began as a feel-good story is a deserving case for an All Star bid. A gentle reminder, you can vote for him up to five times a day using this link. Fun fact: Juan Soto has a .861 OPS. Myers’ is at .862.

Through June 18, Myers is hitting .333 with 11 extra-base hits, eight walks and 32 strikeouts. His OPS is .862 and he’s collected 18 RBI.

Injured List

Anthony Rendon – Los Angeles Angels

Rendon is slated to miss a significant amount of time following him surgery this spring. The bad news is another bump in an injury-plagued stint with the Angels; Rendon missed a chunk of last season with an oblique strain.

Matt Canterino – Twins AAA

Canterino was thought to have a real chance to crack the big league roster at some point this season, converting himself to a reliver this offseason in hopes of limiting the stress on his arm and preserving his health. Unfortunately, he’s set to miss a third consecutive season, undergoing shoulder surgery in early March. The Twins since released him and signed him to a minor league contract while he rehabs.

Knocking on the Door

The following Owls began the season in AAA:

  • Tristan Gray – Charlotte Knights (White Sox)
  • Evan Kravetz – Louisville Bats (Reds)
  • Glenn Otto – Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Astros)
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