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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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Rice Football Recruiting: OL Leyonte Chandler commits to Owls

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Days removed from landing its quarterback, the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class picked up one of his protectors. Offensive lineman Leyonte Chandler has committed to the Owls.

The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class isn’t slowing down as it continues to stockpile talent throughout the summer. While June was particularly busy, the Owls have made two crucial additions to their group in July, most recently adding this key protector in the trenches. Euless Trinity offensive lineman Leyonte Chandler has committed to the Owls.

Chandler’s services were tightly contested with more than a dozen programs vying for his services including San Diego State, UTSA, Navy, North Texas, Texas State, Arkansas State and New Mexico, among others. Given a myriad of choices, Chandler picked South Main.

“I can tell coach Abell wants to win and the program is like a family,” Chandler told The Roost. “I feel like they will develop me to be the best version of myself.”

Chandler joins Sinton HS product Clay Mitchell as the Owls’ pair of offensive line commitments in the class, so far. They’ll block for newly committed quarterback Ayden Wilhelm, who made his pledge just days before Chandler.

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The 6-foot-5, 285-pound Chandler gets low and moves people, aspect of his game that jump out as soon as you turn on the tape. When asked about his game, Chandler pointed to his hand usage to engage defenders and active feet. He’s a physical presence in the trenches and should be a great building block for the Owls up front for years to come.

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Rice Football Recruiting: QB Ayden Wilhelm commits to Owls

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The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class has its quarterback of the future. Ayden Wilhelm from Blue Springs South (MO) has committed to the Owls.

The ever-changing landscape had the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class in need of a quarterback as the summer months progressed. Rice didn’t waste much time after the opening appeared, moving quickly to land a commitment from one of the first players they offered in the class. Blue Springs South (MO) quarterback Ayden Wilhelm has committed to the Owls.

Wilhelm held offers from Army, Navy, Cornell and a handful of others at the time of his decision to shut things down in favor of the Owls. The intelligent, dual-threat player was a coveted choice to run an option offense and lands at South Main as the QB1 of the 2026 class.

“From the moment I stepped on campus, they made me feel like I was important and wanted,” Wilhelm told The Roost, praising head coach Scott Abell and the program he’s building. “He’s setting a high standard and is a proven winner,” Wilhelm said.

In securing a pledge from Wilhelm, Rice has officially turned the page on Aiden Smalls, who flipped his commitment to NC State a week prior. Wilhelm joins a robust offensive skill group that includes slot players Jai Jacobs-Ford and Jacob Swain, along with receiver Prince Hall and tight end Colten Cole.

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Wilhelm’s ability to create is the most exciting trait that jumps out from his highlight tape. Yes, he can run — clocked at sub 4.50 speeds — but that’s the assumed starting point of dual-threat quarterbacks in today’s age. His ability to throw on the move, to escape pressure and find open lanes — and then to make the first defender miss — is what makes him so enticing as a prospect. Putting him into Abell’s option offense should be incredibly exciting.

“The style of offense was a big deciding factor in choosing Rice,” Wilhelm said. “It’s an offensive scheme that is tailored to my strengths as a runner and play maker, putting the defense in conflict every play.”

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