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Rice Football 2024 Spring Notebook 10: Unanswered Questions

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A few outstanding questions remain for Rice football after the conclusion of spring practice. Let’s address a few unknowns and potential concerns.

It was largely an encouraging spring for Rice football. Both sides of the ball had their moments. New quarterback EJ Warner looked poised and productive in just a few short weeks. The coaching staff walked away happy, for the most part. But no football team is ever perfect after spring practices and they’ll have a few months to address the concerns that remain as best they can. What are those potential pain points? We highlight a few from the totality of spring practices below.

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A wide receiver room in transition

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Rice Basketball Recruiting: F Caden Powell commits to Owls

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The incoming 2024 Rice Basketball recruiting class just got bigger, landing a commitment from 6-foot-10 Wyoming transfer Caden Powell.

Days removed after a flurry of additions to the 2024 Rice Basketball recruiting class, the Owls have continued their roster rebuild with the pickup of an important big man. Forward Caden Powell, a Waco, Texas native, has committed to transfer from Wyoming to Rice.

Powell was a fixture for the Wyoming Cowboys last season, starting in 31 games and averaging 5.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He also blocked 24 shots. The second-year player took a step forward as a sophomore not long removed from being a top 25 player in the state of Texas, according to 247 Sports, when he signed with the Cowboys.

At that time, Powell had some interest from Texas A&M and offers from North Texas and others. He’s turned into a reliable contributor since and seems to be on an upward trajectory as he arrives at South Main with two years of eligibility remaining.

Powell joins a growing roster that has taken heavily from the Transfer Portal with the arrival of the new coaching staff. That class currently includes another Powell (Aaron), Emory Lanier, Kellen Amos, Trey Patterson and Trae Broadnax. There’s room for at least a few more given the current state of the roster. Don’t expect Powell to be the last.

More: Rice Basketball Roster Tracker

On the court, Powell’s presence in the interior is his biggest differentiator from what Rice has on its roster right now. He’s a rim protector with the ability to challenge opponents’ shots and is willing and able to crash the glass on the offensive side. He’s another important building block as this staff retools the Owls’ roster.

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The Roost Podcast | Ep 173 – Rice Football Spring Ball Review

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Rice football has officially concluded a successful set of spring practices, generating optimism. How much faith is reasonable at this juncture?

Several weeks of Rice football spring practices are in the books and the general sentiment from South Main was positive for both sides of the ball. Several players and position groups have earned their fair share of confidence and faith in their potential. Should we buy that camp hype? Carter and Matthew go through the roster, position by position and render some verdicts.

You can find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 173.

Episode Notes

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The Roost Podcast is now part of the Dave Campbell’s Republic of Football Podcast Network. You’ll still get the same content with the same hosts, but now under the DCTF banner.

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Rice Football Spring Practice Review: Do You Believe?

  • EJ Warner is the guy?
  • Dean Connors is the best Rice running back since…?
  • The wide receiver room is the deepest its been under Bloomgren?
  • Boden Groen could be the Owls’ top receiving option?
  • The offensive line is going to be fine?
  • The defensive line has enough pieces to be effective?
  • The linebacker room is the best room on defense?
  • Max Ahoia is one of the Owls’ opening day starter at corner?
  • The safety room has enough playmakers to be differential?

Where can you find us?

The Roost Podcast is part of the Dave Campbell’s Republic of Football Podcast Network. You can find this podcast and all of our partner podcasts on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Rice Basketball Recruiting: G Trae Broadnax commits to Owls

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Another talented guard is headed to South Main. The 2024 Rice Basketball recruiting class has landed a commitment from Trae Broadnax, formerly of UC Upstate.

The wave of Rice basketball recruiting wins isn’t slowing down any time in the near future. No sooner had the Transfer Portal opened than Rice added a couple of commitments. Now their third veteran addition has joined the fold. UC Upstate guard Trae Broadnax has committed to the Owls.

Broadnax was a two-year starter for UC Upstate where he averaged 12.6 points per game across those seasons, tacking up 3.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds to go along with the points. Broadnax stepped in and became a key piece of the Spartan’s roster immediately after beginning his basketball career with one season at the Naval Academy.

Powell joins fell commits Emory Lanier, Kellen Amos, Trey Patterson and Aaron Powell.

On the court, Broadnax should be a lot of fun when he gets to South Main. He’s aggressive to the rim and quick to put his foot on the deck and explode to the basket. It’s not just inside, though, Broadnax can score from all three levels and profiles as an effective three-point shooter, particularly when given the ball to catch and shoot — something his highlights showcase particularly effectively.

More: Rice Basketball Roster Tracker

He’ll fit in well at Rice with coach Lanier. Surrounding Broadnax with a great cast of players around him will only amplify his skillset. You can never have enough scorers, and Broadnax certainly fits that bill.

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Rice Basketball Recruiting: PG Aaron Powell commits to Owls

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Point guard Aaron Powell became the latest member of a surging 2024 Rice basketball recruiting class that just keeps soaring higher and higher.

The new coaching staff is wasting no time making their mark. The 2024 Rice basketball recruiting class is already bordering on historic. The Owls have added four new players to the fold including their most recent commitment, point guard Aaron Powell, one of the highest-rated players in program history.

Powell originally signed a National Letter of Intent to play for Cal Poly this past fall but adjusted his plans when Rice entered the picture. Powell also had offers from the likes of Indiana, Arizona State and Cal State Fullerton. Instead, he’s headed south from his California home to play for head coach Rob Lanier and the Owls.

Classified as a four-star recruit by ESPN and a three-star recruit by 247 Sports, Powell slides in just behind Keanu Dawes, a 2023 Rice signee who holds the mantle of the highest-rated signee in program history. Dawes’ was recruited following Scott Pera’s sixth season at the help, though. To get someone of Powell’s caliber in a transition class is truly remarkable.

Powell joins fell commits Emory Lanier, Kellen Amos, Trey Patterson and Trae Broadnax.

More: Rice Basketball Roster Tracker

On the court, Powell is a force. He averaged 18.2 points per game this past season and adds some tenacity on the defensive end of the court, too. Powell has the potential to step in and carry a large load quickly when he arrives at South Main. His addition is absolutely massive for a rebuilding roster that just got a lot better in a hurry.

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