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The Roost Podcast | Ep. 31 – DCTF’s Shehan Jeyarajah and the state of college football

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Shehan Jeyarajah from Dave Campbell’s Texas Football sheds some light on the state of college football, offseason storylines and its uncertain future.

The extended offseason interview series continues with a broader lens. After spending a few weeks talking to former Rice athletes, this week’s edition of The Roost Podcast goes bigger picture. The coronavirus pandemic has altered the college football landscape. We talk to Dave Campbell Texas Football insider Shehan Jeyarajah and get his views on that state of college football in Texas.

From rivalry trophies to new coaches, it’s a conversation you don’t want to miss. You can always find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 31.


Episode 31 Notes

  • Housekeeping — Thanks to everyone who’s left a review or shared your feedback with us. If you like the show or want to get in touch with us, you can leave a comment on the site or give the show a follow on Twitter.
  • Shehan Jeyarajah joins the show — Despite the lack of games to cover, the sports world hasn’t slowed down. Texas college football has had plenty of things to talk about, so we covered the gamut:
    • When will Texas A&M and Texas play again? (It’s been almost a decade.)
    • Reasonable expectations for UTSA’s Jeff Traylor and Baylor’s Dave Aranda
    • Which non-Power 5 programs in Texas have the brightest future?
    • What will college football look like this season? Should games without students a real option?
    • Are the potential changes to the Name, Image and Likeness policies good or bad for college football?

Where can you find us?

Download and subscribe to The Roost Podcast on any of your favorite podcast providers. The show is available on iTunes, GooglePlay, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and PodBean. Please consider leaving a review wherever you listen.

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Rice Football Recruiting: 2021 OL Ethan Onianwa commits to Owls

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The 2021 Rice Football recruiting class added a big addition in the offensive trenches. Cinco Ranch lineman Ethan Onianwa has committed to the Owls.

Going virtual hasn’t slowed down the 2021 Rice football recruiting class. The Owls continue to add talent to their ranks despite the challenging circumstances. This time they didn’t have to venture out that far from their home base, snagging Cinco Ranch offensive lineman Ethan Onianwa, the latest in a run of Texas commitments.

The Owls have been first too offer on several of their targets, but not on Onianwa. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound grinder in the trenches already held offers from Vanderbilt, SMU, North Texas and a host of Ivies prior to Rice making an official offer. Both parties were in contact often leading up to that moment, which came just a few days before Onianwa made his decision.

Onianwa is the eighth commitment of the 2021 Rice football recruiting class and one of the highest-rated additions to date. The Owls scooped up four before the in person restrictions were put in place. Since then they’ve added tight end Jaggar Hebeisen (April 6), linebacker DJ Arkansas (April 14) and defensive lineman Elroyal Morris (April 24).

More: 2021 Rice Football Recruiting Tracker

Onianwa isn’t coming in blind. He was on campus for the Owls’ last junior day in early March. He’s well aware of what is being built at Rice. And now he’s going to be a part of the growth already in progress. The Owls are well on their way to landing one of Conference USA’s best classes.

Head coach Mike Bloomgren had made a concerted effort to add the right pieces along the offensive line. Onianwa is a people-mover in the making and one that’s going to make waves down the road at South Main in the near future.

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Rice Basketball: Relationships and diversity unify Owls’ 2020 signing class

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In the midst of a challenging recruiting environment, Rice basketball has finalized a seven-member signing class for the upcoming 2020-2021 season.

Those attending a Rice basketball game next season might have to familiarize themselves with the roster. Eight of the 15 players who saw action in at least one game for the Owls’ last season have departed the program. Five exhausted their collegiate eligibility. Three transferred.

The large exodus necessitated a large influx of talent. 6-foot-10 Texas Tech transfer Malik Ondigo, who sat out last season due to transfer rules, will give the Owls a more physical presence inside. Joining him are seven new additions, each pulled together through a variety of connections.

“It all comes back to one thing, relationships,” head coach Scott Pera said when asked how he’d constructed this signing class. “I’ve been fortunate enough to work a lot of places around the country. From LA to Phoenix to Philly to Houston, I’ve got a lot of major cities covered.”

Graduate transfer Cavit Ege Havsa brings a much-needed veteran presence. He was discovered through an assistant with connections to Turkish international players. He’s 6-foot-4 with good hands and will fill in at the four behind the departed Drew Peterson.

Alongside him, third-year player Riley Abercrombie was recruited by Pera out of highschool. He’s a 6-foot-9 transfer from Boise State who was a standout at Clear Lake before moving onto the college ranks.

Guard Jake Lieppert came out of the blue. “I got a random text from basically a friend of a friend in Phoenix,” Pera said. A few months later, Lieppert checked all of the boxes and has made the jump from JUCO to Rice.

Rice was on guard Noah Hutchins for some time. Likewise, they initiated contact with VMI transfer Travis Evee soon after his name hit the Transfer Portal. Guard Cameron Sheffield, the first commitment in the class, and fellow high school addition Mylyjael Poteat round out a balanced group. All with different talents, but the same core identity. They fit at Rice.

On the court, this group will allow Pera to add more size. It wasn’t uncommon for Pera to trust a “small ball” lineup last year, trotting out five guards with Josh Parrish or Robert Martin at the five. Ondigo, Abercrombie and the 6-foot-9 Poteat will help ease the Owls’ size deficiencies.

Having the bodies and getting them to work in concert are different challenges, but getting the pieces in place is the first step.”We still —  I feel — have enough experience to help us out as we move along here,” Pera said confidently. Havsa is in his fifth year. Ondigo is entering his court and Abercrombie his third. Chris Mullins and Payton Moore have played meaningful minutes already at Rice. Things will be different, but the cupboard isn’t empty, not anymore.

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Rice Basketball Recruiting: Owls sign 2020 guard Noah Hutchins

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It’s been a challenging time to recruit, but Rice basketball hasn’t slowed down. The Owls signed guard Noah Hutchins during the national slowdown.

Rice basketball went all over the country to find the players right for life at South Main. During the winter they signed Mylyjael Poteat from North Carolina and Cameron Sheffield from Georgia. One of their next additions came from New York by way of IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL.

Known for it’s dominance on the football field, IMG fields a potent basketball squad as well. Guard Noah Hutchins led the way for their postgraduate group last season. As he’d hoped, his first out of state jump allowed him to showcase his abilities. After receiving some buzz in high school, Hutchins wanted another shot to show the nation what he was capable of doing.

The Roost Podcast: Listen now to our Extended Offseason Interview Series

He caught the Owls’ eyes, making good on the bet he’d place on himself. Now he has a scholarship to play D1 Basketball at an elite academic institution. That leap is not lost of Hutchins, who is eager to get onto the court soon. The chance to make an instant impact, combined with the atmosphere of the program, the surroundings in Houston and the academics were enough to sway his decision.

His visit during winter break and subsequent conversations helped foster a relationship with the staff that was essential to that choice. Hutchins felt like family, saying it was evident Rice “cared about me as a person and not just a basketball player on their team.”

When he does get on the court, he aims to win. Hutchins won a state championship in high school and left as the Western New York High School Player of the Year before heading to IMG. He’s used to winning. “It’s all going to be different from here on out, in a good way,” he said. Rice fans would welcome a few more wins in 2020 and beyond.

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BREAKING: Christian Covington signs with Denver Broncos

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Former Rice football defensive lineman Christian Covington has a new NFL home, signing with the Denver Broncos in the days following the NFL Draft.

Christian Covington is on the move. Initially drafted by the Houston Texans after a standout Rice football career, Covington played four seasons in Houston. He tallied 7.5 sacks and 39 tackles, playing in the trenches alongside JJ Watt and Jadeveon Clowney.

From there, he signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys in 2019. He appeared in all 16 games with Dallas last year, setting career highs in tackles (20) and starts (six).

In mid-April, Covington joined The Roost Podcast and briefly discussed his free agency and future plans. He mentioned the current global climate was impacting how he and his agent went about normal business, but hoped to have a solution worked out soon.


Less than a week after the NFL Draft was finished, teams had answers to their depth chart questions and Covington had his next NFL home. Per Adam Caplan, Covington is joining the Broncos on a 1-year, $1.75 million contract with $625,000 guaranteed. Originally from Canada, this will be his first football season outside of Texas since coming to Rice in 2011.

Denver is a popular destination for former Owls in the NFL. Covington’s former college teammate corner Bryce Callahan is also with the team as is offensive lineman Calvin Anderson. Jordan Taylor, also a teammate of Covington’s, was with the Broncos through the 2018 season, just missing a reunion.

Find the latest updates on all former Rice football players in the NFL on our NFL Owls Tracker. The list has been updated to include the next wave of pro Owls. Three players from the 2019 squad have signed as undrafted free agents following the 2020 NFL Draft: Myles Adams (Carolina), Justin Gooseberry (Falcons) and Nick Leverett (Buccaneers).

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