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Rice Football Recruiting: Owls Ready for Big Visit Weekend

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The first home game of the season means a big Rice Football recruiting weekend is on deck. Here’s the latest intel on which key recruits will be on campus.

Winning the opener against Louisiana marked the first big event for the existing roster, but the upcoming home opener for head coach Scott Abell will carry with it an influx of potential future Owls. The upcoming game against Houston will be massive for the foundations of future Rice football recruiting classes with key commits and targets set to flock to South Main for this game.

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Rice Football Recruiting: DL Ian Harrell commits to Owls

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Further reinforcements in the trenches are on the way for the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class. Defensive lineman Ian Harrell has committed to the Owls.

Back-to-back defensive line additions has the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class riding high as the Owls keep adding difference makers at premium positions. Even with the fall season fast approaching, Rice football doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Defensive lineman Ian Harrell has committed to the Owls.

Murray State and UT Martin were the most prominent offers Harrell had received in addition to his interest from Rice. Ultimately the Buckhorn, Alabama native opted to head west to Texas and play for the Owls.

Harrell is the fourth commitment to the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class this month. Corner Jordan Mitchell opened August with his pledge then safety Zion Allen followed not long afterward. Fellow defensive lineman Tyler Lavallier committed one week to the day of Harrell’s commitment.

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Harrell’s burst and drive make their mark as soon as the tape is turned on. If he gets going downhill with steam, opposing quarterbacks are in trouble. His ability to play multiple positions and his sturdy 6-foot-1, 280-pound frame make for another strong building block up front as the Owls continue to stockpile talent in the trenches.

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Rice Football Recruiting: DL Tyler Lavallier commits to Owls

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A wave of defensive additions to the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class continued this week. Defensive lineman Tyler Lavallier has committed to the Owls.

Adding difference makers in the trenches is a must-do for every program in the country. Being able to fulfill that task without going too far is an added bonus. The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class found one such fit for their future defense from just down the road in Brookshire, TX. Defensive lineman Tyler Lavallier has committed to the Owls.

Lavallier picked Rice over offers from programs such as Wyoming, Army, Navy, Air Force, Princeton, Columbia and Yale. He also had a growing list of interest from nearby lower-level programs like Incarnate Word, SFA and Houston Christian.

The welcoming nature and consistent communication from the coaching staff played a significant role in Lavallier’s decision, as did the scheme under defensive coordinator Jon Kay.

“They don’t just have one package,” Lavallier told The Roost. “Everyone and everything is interchangeable and can move and be very versatile. And I feel like that fits me because I can move well. I have good footwork, so being able to play different spots widens my playing field.”

Lavallier is the third commitment to the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class in the past two weeks. Corner Jordan Mitchell made his pledge on August 1. Safety Zion Allen followed not too long afterward on August 10 with Lavallier jumping on board three days later.

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Standing 6-foot-2 and tipping the scales at 285 pounds, Lavallier is an unmistakable presence in the interior of the defensive line every time you turn on the tape. He breaks free from engagements with powerful hands and has a motor that gets him into the offensive backfield with regularity.

“I take pride in taking on double teams and not being moved,” Lavallier said. “I like to know it takes two to block me.”

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Rice Football Recruiting: SAF Zion Allen commits to Owls

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It’s been a good month in the secondary for the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class. Safety Zion Allen has flipped his commitment to the Owls.

The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class picked up steam over the summer, exploding from a few commitments in the spring to more than a dozen future Owls awaiting their chance to arrive on campus. That number grew this weekend with their latest addition from the high school ranks. Safety Zion Allen from Aquinas High School (GA) has committed to the Owls.

Allen’s commitment is a bit unique because he was previously committed elsewhere. His first offer came from Army and he committed to the Black Knights in early July. Soon afterward, Rice football tosses its hat into the ring, forcing Allen to reconsider.

“It was difficult,” Allen told The Roost. “I had multiple conversations and prayers with my family which really helped.”

Allen pointed towards the relationships and academics as key factors in his decision, which he made official roughly a month after the Owls offered him a scholarship. The defensive scheme was important, too.

“I like the versatility of the position they’re recruiting me at,” Allen said. “I feel like I can thrive playing up high and playing in the box.”

With Allen in the fold, Rice football now has three defensive backs committed in the 2026 class. Cy Falls’ corner James Henderson and Ridge Point’s Jordan Mitchell each committed to the program this summer.

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The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Allen is a natural centerfielder with impressive range and a quick first step. Add in a willingness to engage and make a tackle and you get the makings of a rather complete player when you turn on the tape. He’s another athletic addition to a talented defensive backfield.

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Rice Football Recruiting: CB Jordan Mitchell commits to Owls

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The month of August began with good news for the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class. Cornerback Jordan Mitchell has committed to the Owls.

A productive summer, which saw the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class grow from a pair of spring commitments to more than a dozen future Owls, got even better this week. On the same day the team returned to the grass to open fall camp, they got good news for the future. Ridge Point High School cornerback Jordan Mitchell has committed to the Owls.

Mitchell hadn’t reported any other offers at the time Rice made its bid for his services, but that didn’t seem to impact the relationship that developed between Mitchell and the Rice staff.

“When Rice first started recruiting me, they made it clear that I was a special player and were looking forward to watching me progress,” Mitchell told The Roost, crediting the leadership of head coach Scott Abell and the earnestness of position coach Jeremy Modkins, who made him feel welcome.

Mitchell’s fit within the scheme sealed the deal. “I know Rice plays a lot of man coverage,” he said, “That’s my specialty, so I know I will be a great fit in their defense.”

Mitchell is the second defensive back committed to the Owls thus far, joining Cy Falls’ corner James Henderson, who made his pledge in mid-June. The rest of the defensive commits to this point will play in front of them, including linebacker Jayden Cupitt and a trio of linemen: Seth Clarke, JD Singletary and Quincy Tchikou.

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Mitchell’s athleticism is one of the first thing that jumps out when you turn on the tape. He’s sticky and hard to shake in coverage and moves well in the open field. His added versatility in the return game is a nice bonus that should serve him well at the next level.

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