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Rice Football: Wiley Green’s rise from scout team to potential starter

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Only a sophomore, Rice football passer Wiley Green has emerged as a team leader as he grows into his own shoes as a Division 1 quarterback.

A lot can change in a year. That’s true of life, and even more so true of college football. When Rice began fall camp in 2018 Wiley Green was the scout team quarterback. Juma Otoviano was his running back. Almost five months later, that duo was largely responsible for the first conference win of the Mike Bloomgren era.

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Green still hasn’t fully grasped the whirlwind that has been his last 12 months. The redshirt freshman is in line to be named the Owls’ starting quarterback for the 2019 season, a title which he feels he’s steadily working toward the entire time.

“The best way of knowing that you’ve learned is being able to teach,” Green said. “I think that was a big step forward for me, really taking in that leadership role and being able to teach others.” Those others include incoming grad transfer Tom Stewart and true freshman Jovoni Johnson. Both players have had to go through the same learning curve Green experienced last season.

For Green, he had the benefit of a mentor in the form of Vanderbilt transfer Shawn Stankavage. “[Shawn taught me a lot, you know. How to handle being a Division 1 quarterback,” Green said as he looked back at his freshman season, “He’s been one of those guys I’ve leaned on. He’s been a leader on and off the field for me and he’s been one of those guys I can kind of look for as a mentor.”

Hear More: Matthew and Carter break down the Rice football offense on The Roost Podcast

Green is no senior. He can hardly believe his four games of experience make him one of the more experienced second-year players. But it’s that transition — from rookie to leader — which has set Green apart in the quarterback room. With Stankavage out of eligibility, Green took on the leadership role and ran with it. He’s been working hard through the spring and into the fall. The results have been encouraging.

Never one to be too braggadocious, Green tends to downplay the tremendous progress he’s made in such a short amount of time. “We’re not where we need to be,” he says, “but we’re definitely taking steps in the right direction to get there.”

That direction will be put to the tests in less than two weeks when Rice visits Army. The trip to West Point marks the start of the 2019 season. The young vet will be tasked with leading in one of the most challenging environments he’s ever played in. Green isn’t worried; his nerves seldom show. He’ll prepare well and attack it like he’s attacked every game he’s ever played.

“We’re building something special here and every single person in this room believes it,” Green declared. “That’s what’s really going to propel us forward and really surprised some people this year.” He hopes, as do the Rice faithful, that surprise starts at Army.

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Rice Football: Wiley Green emerging as favorite to win Owls quarterback battle

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With all fall camp scrimmages complete, the Rice Football quarterback battle is gaining clarity and a favorite to win the starting job has emerged.

The quarterback battle will continue to be the biggest storyline through fall camp until coach Bloomgren names a starter. Although there’s no timeline set for an official announcement, incumbent Wiley Green is starting to put some distance between himself and challenger Tom Stewart.

Green had a great redzone session during scrimmage on Saturday. Stewart missed his opportunity to make a statement. He’s had his moments in camp, but done little to impress in either scrimmage setting.

Bloomgren has reserved comment as to who is the leader in the race. However, with days (rather than weeks) left between now and the season opener, the race seems to be drawing to a close.

I have become increasingly more confident that Wiley Green will be the Owls’ starting quarterback in their Week 1 game against Army.

More: Jack Fox joins The Roost Podcast to talk NFL and Rice special teams

Green stands above every other quarterback on campus in terms of his intellectual ability and command of the offense. His strong capabilities as a passer, combined with that knowledge have kept him a step ahead in the quarterback competition through fall camp.

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Stewart has talent. What he lacks is the time in the system to execute at a level equal to Green. If he continues to progress the door could open down the road. That said, the coaching staff would obviously prefer to make a selection and ride that one guy to the end of the season.

As for Jovoni Johnson, the freshman has done well in camp so far. But, as to be expected, there’s a steep learning curve with the offense. The outlook for his 2019 season looks to be akin to what Parker Towns was asked to do in brief moments last year.

Johnson will most likely have a set package which features his athleticism and ability to make plays on the ground. If the situation warrants it he could throw a pass or two. Given the current state of the quarterback room, he’s got a few guys to surpass before he’s an every game player.

The staff feels comfortable with the depth at the position and is encouraged by what they’ve seen from the unit as a whole this fall. Barring an injury, I believe this Wiley Green’s job to lose.

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The Roost Podcast | Episode 3 – 2019 Rice Football special teams preview

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The Roost Podcast is on to Episode 3 where your hosts Carter and Matthew walk through the Rice Football special teams and interview special guest Jack Fox.

We’re now two-thirds of the way through the Rice football roster. In the first two episodes, we hit on the Owls’ schedule and the offensive personnel. This week we talked through the special teams units with a guest appearance from one of the Owls’ most impressive specialists, Jack Fox. Next week we’ll turn out attention to the defense. Until then, check out the show.

Give a listen to Episode 3 below.

Episode 3 Notes

  • Punters  — With Jack Fox in the NFL, grad transfer Adam Nunez and senior Chris Barnes are battling for the starting punter spot. Could they both play a role this season?
  • Kickers — It’s relatively early in fall camp. Has either Zach Hoban or Will Harrison done enough to separate themselves?
  • Long snapper — It’s probably worth pointing out that a solid minute was devoted to Rice football’s long snapper, Cam Riddle.
  • Returners — Several names are in the mix to return kicks this year, but the punt job remains Austin Trammell’s. Both units have the pieces to take steps forward in 2019.
  • Owls in the NFL – Following the conversation with Jack, we take a look at some of the former Rice Football stars playing in the NFL. Kudos to Austin Walter for a strong debut with the San Francisco 49ers.

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.

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Rice Football: New-look offensive line gelling in fall camp

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To the outside world, the Rice football offensive line is an unknown commodity. To those at South Main, it’s a unit evolving into something great.

Every summer the preseason magazines roll out. There’s a lot of fantastic work being done by journalists across the country (and by the way, you should pick up the 2019 Rice Football Season Preview from The Roost if you’ve been delaying).

In those previews, the “Returning Starters” stat draws plenty of eyeballs. Phil Steele digs a step deeper and charts returning starts among offensive lineman for every team in the nation. Rice ranks notably low in that metric, checking in at 120th with 31 returning starts.

On first glance, one might be tempted to translate the low rank into a dismal outlook on the Owls’ efforts in the trenches in 2019. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Setting aside the value of returning starts or starters, the real question discerning fans should be asking is this: how capable will the 2019 unit be?

The productivity of the offensive line hinges on several factors, with talent and experience being two of the biggest indicators of success. Good players who’ve been doing it for a long while produce the best results. Getting five guys to have those positive results simultaneously is the key.

Rice has talent. Shea Baker is one of the best centers in Conference USA and Clay Servin is already drawing attention from NFL scouts — he’s played four games of college football.

Rice has experience. Incoming transfers Nick Leverett, Justin Gooseberry and Brian Chaffin have played more college football than any other returning player the Owls’ had on the roster.

All that’s left to do is marry that talent and experience into one cohesive unit.

Incorporating the new additions

Offensive coordinator Jerry Mack calls it as he sees it. “At times it was musical chairs back there last year at offensive line,” he admitted, “but now we feel like we’re more stable, we have a better foundation.

Offensive line coach Joe Ashfield inherits the challenge of turning that foundation into a high-caliber line in the span of a few short months. Leverett enrolled early and was on campus for spring practice. Gooseberry and Chaffin arrived in June and have mere weeks of on-field reps with their teammates.

“Being in a D1 program is new to me,” Gooseberry said when speaking on his transition from Ouachita Baptist to Rice. From the workouts to the meetings, everything runs a bit differently. It’s taken him some time to adjust he admits, but Gooseberry says he couldn’t have done it without his new teammates. “They helped me come along,” he said, “They all just welcomed me.”

That welcome hasn’t come without a challenge. Gooseberry is battling with Uzoma Osuji for the right tackle spot. The newcomer has abundant athleticism. The incumbent has experience with the Owls scheme, working as a starter for Rice last season.

Gooseberry hasn’t let the battle sway his focus. “They’re going to play the best five, period, regardless of the position,” he said in reference toward the right tackle competition, ” I feel like my competition level and [Uzoma’s] competition level are rising.”

Learning from experience

The same is true for the younger players as well. Servin, who will be the team’s starting left tackle this season redshirted last fall. “These graduates that have so many games under their belt, it’s been amazing,” Servin noted, “them being mentors, their experience helping the younger guys out like me and Cole [Garcia] with technique stuff. It’s just been huge.”

The coaching staff routinely reminds the entire group to focus on their one-eleventh. As each player perfects his individual game, the level of play of the line as a whole continues to rise.

The trio of Leverett, Gooseberry and Chaffin haved played in 97 combined games making 69 career starts before coming to South Main. That’s more than double the experience of the players Rice had on its roster prior to their arrival.

Their impact hasn’t gone unseen. The line is winning battles in the trenches and opening up lanes in the running game. Quarterbacks have time in the pocket and the freedom to move around as they scan the field. The play up front isn’t perfect, but it’s coming together.

As Chaffin sees it, “a lot of guys want to do the right thing. They just need a little guidance.”

Finding the best five

Alongside the battle at right tackle, the right guard slot is a bit up in the air. Chaffin, who was recruited by Bloomgren to play center at Stanford, has been working at the position. He’s challenged Cole Garcia, who shined as a true freshman at that spot last year. Baker could slide there as well and did some cross-training at guard in the spring.

The Owls’ first game against Army is two weeks away. That gives them a handful of practices to solidify a starting five and develop a plan to rotate the other pieces throughout the grind of a four quarter game. That’s a lot to do in a short window of time.

If Rice had to play a game tomorrow, the starting five would probably look like this: Servin (LT), Leverett (LG), Baker (C), Garcia (RG) and Gooseberry (RT) with Chaffin and Uzoma spelling coming in as relief. However the final result shakes out, those in the midst of the competition aren’t too concerned.

“[There are] a lot of guys who are just willing to work and ready to come and help the team however they can,” Chaffin remarked, sizing up the offensive line group as a unit. That oneness, in the midst of the one-eleventh, has been the rhythm which has produced early results. One that the Rice offensive linemen expect to carry forward into the 2019 season.

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Rice Football: Safety battle a source of strength for Owls’ secondary

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Prudy Calderon and Naeem Smith hope to start for the Owls at strong safety next season. No matter what happens, the Owls’ secondary will be in good hands.

The duel between incumbent Prudy Calderon and JUCO transfer Naeem Smith for the starting strong safety position could be the most heavily contested position battle at Rice during fall camp. Yet, when discussing the battles to watch last week, the safety position wasn’t mentioned — and there was reason for that.

Although only one player can be listed as the starter on an official depth chart, Rice will utilize both players heavily this season. Competitors on the practice field, these teammates understand what they have to offer the Owls’ defense and are working hard to improve wherever they can.

The new kid on the block

“Prudy and I, we’ve made each other better,” Smith remarked following Saturday’s scrimmage in which he registered the defense’s only interception of the day. “We have one goal, to get better each day, and I feel like we’re headed in the right direction.”

Smith’s takeaway was indicative of that growth. Defensive coordinator Brian Smith praised Naeem, saying he “brings a physical presence to the defense.” Athletically, Smith fits more as a run-stopper. He’s the kind of player who attacks the football and moves sideline to sideline with intensity and power. That skill set has been evident since he arrived in the spring.

In 12 games at Ellsworth Community College last season, Smith registered six tackles for a loss. That mark would have put him second only to the Owls’ Anthony Ekpe’s 6.5 tackles for a loss in 2018.

Calderon has taken notice and admires that facet of Smith’s game. “He has a high motor. I see him on film and from play one to play 50 he’s the same speed, just running to the ball, flying downhill, doing something. That that kid is really talented.”

The returning starter

In many ways, Calderon serves as an excellent complement to Smith. Calderon won the job midway through the 2018 season. He quickly became the team’s deep cover man and pass defending leader. He led the team with four interceptions and seven pass deflections, showing veteran savvy as he made play after play on balls in the air.

As good as he was last season, Calderon has taken a page out of Smith’s book over the past several months. “I played the ball in the pass game pretty well [last season],” he said, “I think what I didn’t really showcase was my physicality and coming down the road game. And that’s one thing I want to do [this year].”

More: Read detailed profiles on Smith and Calderon in our 2019 Rice Football Season Preview

In many ways, it could be that simple. Rice has two extremely talented players who happen to both play the same position.

With George Nyakwol manning the free safety spot and Treshawn Chamberlain holding down the fort and the viper position, there are only so many snaps to go around. That presents a puzzle for Coach Smith to work through, but it’s a good problem to have.

“As a defense,” Calderon remarked, “our chemistry is through the roof.” Both players know that whoever wins the starting job is going to play a lot this year. Whoever “loses” is going to see plenty of the field as well. No matter who’s name is written at the top of the depth chart on a given day, neither appears intimidated or overly concerned.

The path forward

Smith is taking it all in too. “That’s one thing I’ve learned from being at a junior college, nothing is ever handed to you. So, that’s something that we gotta realize and take full advantage of. Every opportunity we step on the field, you got to make the most of it.”

So far, Smith has done just that. Calderon was honored as the team’s best freshman during the offseason. For Smith, getting to South Main in the first place represents a significant achievement. Starter or not, both Smith and Calderon will be important pieces for Rice in 2019.

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