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Rice Football Recruiting: OL Clay Mitchell commits to Owls

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The second pledge of the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class is on the board. Offensive lineman Clay Mitchell has committed to the Owls.

The beginnings of the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class are taking shape. With one pledge already in the fold, the Owls hosted a whole flock of recruits during the Blue and Gray weekend, landing at least one commit thus far. Offensive lineman Clay Mitchell has committed to the Owls.

Mitchell had offers from UTEP, where current Rice football Director of Player Personnel Chad Johnson came from prior to arriving at South Main, as well the services academies and Georgia State. For Mitchell, it was the presence of head coach Scott Abell and his culture that made the difference.

“Coach Abell also is very easy to talk to and makes me and my family feel like we are a part of his own family,” Mitchell told The Roost, later adding that “Coach Abell is known for turning around programs and I am all in to help make that happen.”

Mitchell joins Sulphur (OK) tight end Colten Cole as the initial members of the 2026 class, which has seen dozens of offers extended to targets in the last few week, many of which were on campus this past weekend.

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

When it comes to the tape, Mitchell’s prowess in the trenches sticks out. He told The Roost he prides himself in his run blocking and his “ability to dominate at the line of scrimmage and make people want to quit.” The physicality sticks out and should make him an exciting piece to watch in the trenches when he arrives on South Main.

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Rice Baseball posts emphatic series win over USF

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For Rice baseball, their first series win of the season was a big one, taking two of three from South Florida which entered the weekend atop the AAC standings.

FRIDAY | USF 14, Rice 3 (7 inn)

With Davion Hickson completing his suspension, JD McCracken drew the Friday night start for Rice baseball this week. He worked calmy through the first and the second inning before USF ambushed him with a three-run, four-hit third inning. He’d managed just one more out before being lifted in the fourth in favor of Garrett Stratton with the Owls trailing 4-1.

More: 59 Minutes — David Pierce Challenges Rice baseball to grow

Landon West had done his part to get Rice on the board with a solo home run in the second and proceeded to cut the deficit in half with a sac fly in the fourth. Stratton kept the Owls in the game, working into the seventh before surrendering a three-run home run to put Rice behind 7-2.

Treyton Rank got one back with a home run in the bottom of the frame before USF opened the floodgates in the eighth. Nolan Roycraft recorded one out and was charged with seven runs. Micah Davis gave up two of those, enough to push the Owls’ deficit to 11 and end the game via a run rule.

SATURDAY | Rice 15, USF 3 (7 inn)

Tucker Alch delivered 4.1 innings of no-hit baseball, leaving the game with a 4-0 advantage after hitting the first two South Florida batters to open the fifth. His relief came in the form of Davion Hickson, who collected the next two outs, albeit with USF scoring on an overthrown ball from catcher Aric Anderson on a stolen base attempt.

Last Weekend: Rice Baseball swept at Tulane

Hickson would work through an uneventful top of the sixth before spending a lengthy time on the bench as he watched the Rice bats pile on seven more runs. Anderson, Graiden West, Colin Robson, Blaine Brown and Michael Zito had RBI in the inning, setting Rice up for a potential run-rule win. They’d earn that early ending with a walk-off grand slam from Brown.

SUNDAY | Rice 5, USF 2

Perhaps still reeling from Saturday’s shellacking, South Florida didn’t play clean baseball in the rubber game and Rice baseball took advantage of those miscues. Graiden West scored on an error in the second to put Rice in front, setting up another unearned run in the same frame. The Bulls got one back in the top of the third, but another error in the bottom half of the inning allowed Rice to add two more to its total.

On the mound, Jackson Blank worked through traffic to allow just two runs in four innings, giving way to Jack Ben-Shoshan in the fifth who would allow just two hits in his five innings of relief, stymying the USF offense. Neither side would score after the fifth as Ben-Shoshan slammed the door, earning the win and clinching the first series win for Rice baseball under head coach David Pierce.

THREE FOR THE ROAD

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New-look offense shines at 2025 Rice Football Spring Game

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The 2025 Rice football spring practices concluded on Saturday with the spring game, a more condensed version this year, but still rich with things to learn.

An open quarterback competition, a new offense and plenty of new faces made for an exciting night at Historic Rice Stadium for the Owls’ first spring game under head coach Scott Abell on Saturday night. Marketed as more of an open practice, the Owls went through some drills before going through a handful of drives in front of the assembled crowed.

More: Spring Practice Notebook 6 — Big moves in the trenches

This update focuses on what took place in that scrimmage, hitting on some takeaways from the game and how those items compare to the totality of the spring.

Mission Accomplished

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Rice Football 2025 Spring Practice Notebook 6: In the Trenches

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The Rice football offensive line has impressed this spring as the group evolves into the Owls’ new offensive scheme one practice at a time.

Watching the offensive line transition from a West Coast scheme to a spread option offense has been one of the more intriguing journeys of Rice football spring practice. Every group has been learning a new language and a new way of doing things, but the way the offensive line has had to adapt and how effectively they’ve turned the page has been notable.

More: Spring Practice Notebook 5 — Slot School

This update dives into the progress the offensive line has made, what’s going to look different when it comes to how they’ll play on Saturdays and an early look at what players are lining up where this spring.

Impressing up front

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Rice Baseball 2025: MLB Owls Update – Apr 9

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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

Myers fast start to the season didn’t slow down as the calendar turned from March to April. Myers has bounced back and forth between outfield positions and come off the bench while still boasting a batting average better than .300 with a penchant for the spectacular such as this diving catch to close out a win:

Through Apr. 9, Myers is hitting .320 with two extra-base hits, one walk and seven strikeouts. His OPS is .746 and he’s collected two 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.

Knocking on the Door

The following Owls began the season in AAA:

  • JT Chargois – Round Rock Express (Rangers)
  • Tristan Gray – Charlotte Knights (White Sox)
  • Evan Kravetz – Louisville Bats (Reds)
  • Glenn Otto – Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Astros)
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