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Late-January 2026 Rice Football Recruiting Check-In

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The 2026 Rice Football Recruiting class received an influx of talent over the past few weeks. Where do the Owls stand right now and what’s next for this haul?

Roughly a month after the 2025 season ended, the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class is starting to come together. Rice has signees at every level of the sport and all across the nation. including nine Power Four transfers (with one from Notre Dame), eight group of five additions, five from the FCS ranks and two JUCO players.

Beyond the numbers, though, what needs did this class address and what’s left, if anything, for the Owls to do before the 2026 season arrives?

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Rice Football Recruiting: SAF Seth Brown Jr. commits to Owls

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The 2026 Rice Football Recruiting picked up another pledge from a high school defensive back. Safety Seth Brown Jr. has committed to the Owls.

Following a burst of activity in the Transfer Portal, the 2026 Rice Football Recruiting class circled back to the high school ranks this week, with several of the program’s most recent new additions coming from the prep ranks, including this most recent addition. Safety Seth Brown, a Valdosta, Georgia native, has committed to the Owls.

Brown scooped up more than a dozen offers over the past year and change, collecting interest from several Ivy League programs as well as the likes of Navy, Northern Illinois and others. Still, he held out for the right fit, pulling the trigger in favor of Rice quickly once a formal offer was made.

“What really stood out to me about Coach Abell and the program was the culture he’s building and how intentional everything is. From the first conversation, it was clear he genuinely cares about developing players not just on the field, but as people too,” Brown told The Roost. “The direction Rice football is heading made me feel like this is a place where I can grow, be challenged, and be part of something special.”

Brown joins another high school safety commit this week, Xavier Ether, as well as corner Jordan Mitchell, to form a young core for the Owls to build on in addition to the parliament of veteran Owls they added in the secondary through the portal.

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The Owls’ coveted trait of versatility stands out in Brown’s tape. He’s everywhere, making plays at every level and keeping his eyes up, ready to react and make a play.

“I really take pride in being a true all-around safety. I can play downhill and be physical in the run game, I’m comfortable covering in the slot or deep in the post, and I feel like my football IQ and communication help get everyone lined up the right way. I trust my eyes, my instincts, and my preparation, so I’m able to make plays in a lot of different situations. Whatever the defense needs me to do, I’m confident I can handle it at a high level,” Brown said.

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Rice Football Recruiting: RB Justin Powell commits to Owls

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After a flurry of transfer pickups, the 2026 Rice Football Recruiting class is adding another from the high school ranks. Running back Justin Powell has committed to the Owls.

While the Transfer Portal has consumed the bulk of the new faces who have recently joined the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class, it doesn’t represent every player the Owls have expressed interest in since the Early Signing Period closed. One such high school target has materialized into an assurance. Running back Justin Powell has committed to the Owls.

A product of Toombs County High School in Lyons, GA, Powell garnered interest in a handful of FCS programs but never landed anywhere in December, choosing to keep searching and sign in February. That patience has paid off, both for him, and for Rice.

Powell joins C.E. King standout and fellow freshman Dionne Sims as the lone tailbacks in the 2026 class. That will make for a younger running back room next fall, but that shouldn’t be a hindrance to production, given the talent from last year’s freshman tandem of D’Andre Hardeman and Tyvonn Byars, as well as returning rushing leader Quinton Jackson.

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Unlike his new teammates, Powell will bring a rather large stature to the running back room at Rice. His film suggests he’s well aware of that and he runs with the power and tenacity one would hope a 6-foot, 210-pound rusher would. He’s aggressive, powerful, and doesn’t go down easy, making him a nice add to the class in this later window.

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Rice Football Recruiting: SAF Xavier Ether commits to Owls

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The 2026 Rice Football Recruiting class dipped back into the high school ranks with their most recent pledge. Safety Xavier Ether has committed to the Owls.

Most of January has been spent adding the right Transfer Portal pieces to the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class, but ample room was carved out for the right high school additions, should they merit inclusion. One such young player proved himself worthy of the spot. Safety Xavier Ether has committed to the Owls.

Rice initially offered Ether back in October, his first offer from the FBS ranks. Ether told The Roost he was extremely interested in what the Owls had to offer from the start.

“Coach Abell and the staff were real from day one, and I really believe in what they are building,” he said. “On top of that, Rice’s academics and the culture made it feel like the best place for me to grow on and off the field.”

Ether made his pledge official on Sunday, becoming the lone high school safety in the class so far. He’ll sign in February with fellow defensive back verbal pledge Jordan Mitchell, who has been committed to Rice since August.

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Ether says he prides himself on his consistency, a strong base he builds off with explosive playmaking ability on both sides of the ball. He’ll suit up in the defensive secondary with the Owls, but he has plenty of experience on special teams and with the ball in his hands, with such plays all over his film.

“They’re getting someone who’s going to work every day, be a great teammate, and represent Rice the right way,” Ether said. “I’m excited to be part of the program and give everything I’ve got.”

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Rice Football Recruiting: LB Austin Harnetiaux commits to Owls

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Another veteran defender has joined the 2026 Rice Football Recruiting class. Former Nevada linebacker Austin Harnetiaux has committed to the Owls.

The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class is winding down as the flurry of Transfer Portal additions slows and spring ball is just around the corner. The number of roster spots remaining continues to dwindle. Rice spent one more this week on a veteran defensive addition from the west coast. Former Nevada linebacker Austin Harnetiaux has committed to the Owls.

Harnetiaux began his college career at Washington, where he played sparingly but was awarded Scout Squad MVP following his last season with the Huskies in 2023. From there he moved to Nevada, appearing in 25 games, tallying 81 tackles across two seasons with the Wolfpack before hitting the portal once more, this time finding his way to South Main.

He and Houston transfer Jesus Machado will anchor the Owls’ linebacker haul in this cycle, in addition to high school signing Jayden Cupitt. It’s a solid collection of experience and talent to add to a young room with several returning players the staff esteems.

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There’s a lot to like on Harnetiaux’s tape. He’s decisive and hits hard with good closing speed. Rangy linebackers in his mold have done very well at Rice in recent years, which bodes well for the ceiling of what Harnetiaux could accomplish at Rice.

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