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Rice Football Recruiting: EDGE JD Singletary commits to Owls

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The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class has added another pass rusher to its ranks. Middletown (OH) edge JD Singletary has committed to the Owls.

The defensive front is looking rather nice as far as the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class is concerned. Following a commitment from defensive end Quincy Tchikou to kick off the month of June, the Owls had added another potential difference-maker in the trenches. Milddletown (OH) Edge JD Singletary has committed to the Owls.

Singletary had already racked up more than a dozen offers before he’d decided to shut it down in favor of the Owls. Rice beat out offers from Kentucky, West Virginia, Appalachian State, Marshall, Toledo, Temple and others.

The summer months typically mark the heart of the recruiting calendar with official visits and camps scattered throughout the next several weeks. To get Singletary and Tchikou in the fold as building blocks for the class is a tremendous accomplishment. That tandem, along with offensive skill pieces and a quarterback of the future in Aiden Smalls has Rice set up for a impressive first full class under head coach Scott Abell and his staff.

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Singletary is a disruptor in every sense of the word. His film demonstrates a cavalcade of sacks and pressures, using a variety of tools to beat his man and find his way into the offensive backfield. His 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame should be fertile soil as he develops at the next level.

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Rice Football Recruiting: SLOT Jacob Swain commits to Owls

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The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class just picked up another playmaker on offense. Melissa (TX) wide receiver Jacob Swain has committed to the Owls.

Do-it-all players at the high school level tend to become difference makers at the next. The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class picked up one such star player from in-state. Melissa athlete (and former Cy product) Jacob Swain has committed to the Owls.

During his recruiting process, Swain caught the eyes of programs across the country, landing an early offer from Louisville last summer to kick-start his journey. Offers from South Florida, UNLV, SDSU, the academies and others would follow, but ultimately, Swain picked South Main and Rice football.

Whether listed as a dual-threat quarterback, wide receiver or athlete by recruiting services, a common thread emerges when assessing Swain’s viability on the field. He’s someone who should be fed the ball often. To achieve that, he’ll slide in as a SLOT in the Owls’ gun-option offensive attack.

Swain’s pledge comes days removed from the commitment of wide receiver Prince Hall and gives the 2026 bunch some offensive skill pieces for quarterback Aiden Smalls to target.

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The highlights are a parade of wow plays by Swain in space. He can line up outside, take the ball directly at the snap or make an explosive play as a return man. As long as he has the football, good things tend to happen. That’s exactly what the Owls are looking for in new additions to this scheme.

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Rice Football Recruiting: WR Prince Hall commits to Owls

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The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class continues to stockpile offensive weapons. Ellison wide receiver Prince Hall has committed to the Owls.

Following a spring bent on filling the final roster spots before the 2025 season arrives, the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class has taken center stage in the focus of the staff on South Main. The Owls entered a busy official visit weekend to cap off the month of May with three commitments in the 2026 class, intent on growing that number. Following his visit, Ellison wide receiver Prince Hall has committed to the Owls.

Hall had received offers from Wake Forest, UTSA, Texas State, Arkansas State, Sacramento State, Navy and others, with interest in his availability ramping up significantly during the spring. Rice jumped into the mix with an offer in mid-March, earning his pledge a few months later.

While he’s listed as an athlete by some services, the plan as of now is for Hall to start with the offense and play wide receiver. With him on board, the 2026 class has the early foundations of an offense brewing. Led by quarterback Aiden Smalls, Rice also has commitments from offensive lineman Clay Mitchell and tight end Colten Cole.

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A two-way player, Hall’s athleticism is one of the first things that jumps out when you turn on the film. At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, he’s long with great range and a knack for pinpointing the ball in the air. He can make the first man miss in traffic and powers through contact. Adding him to the Owls’ offense should produce plenty of fireworks.

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Rice Football Recruiting: DE Quincy Tchikou commits to Owls

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The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class has its first addition on the defensive side of the ball. Cy Ranch defensive end Quincy Tchikou has committed to the Owls.

Following an initial burst of new additions on the offensive side of the ball, the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class has picked up its anchor in the defensive trenches from just down the road. Cy Ranch defensive end Quincy Tchikou has committed to the Owls.

Tchikou didn’t pick up his first D1 offer before February, then his recruitment began to take off in earnest. He received 15 offers over the ensuing months, holding off on any commitment decisions until Rice entered the fray with an offer in late May. That meant turning down overtures from San Diego State, Arkansas State, New Mexico State, Navy, Colorado State, Army, Air Force, Utah State, Tulsa and others.

“With Coach Abell and the new staff coming in, I can see a huge upward trend with the way the school is going football-wise,” Tchikou told The Roost.

Now that he’s locked in, Tchikou provides a building block for the Owls to work with as they add more defenders around him. The first wave of commitments all played on the offensive side of the ball, including quarterback Aiden Smalls, offensive lineman Clay Mitchell and tight end Colten Cole.

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The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Tchikou is a disruptive force along the line who can line up across the front, but likely profiles as an edge player at the next level. His film is flush with excellent pursuit and a good first step. There’s a lot of upside with a player who already possesses such innate instincts like Tchikou.

“I feel like Rice is a place where I can hone my skills and become a better overall person,” Tchikou said. “I’m looking forward to working with this new program and getting better everyday.”

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Rice Football Recruiting: DL Matthew Aribisala commits to Owls

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The 2025 Rice Football recruiting class continues beefing up its haul in the defensive trenches. Defensive lineman Matthew Aribisala has committed to the Owls.

The finishing touches to the 2025 Rice Football recruiting class are being made as the calendar bleeds into mid-May and players will soon be on campus for summer workouts. Before that happens, the Owls are adding a few more reinforcements via the transfer portal, including this latest new face from just north of town. Former Sam Houston defensive lineman Matthew Aribisala has committed to the Owls.

Aribisala arrives on South Main with two years of eligibility remaining following four years spent at Sam Houston State. He saw action in 21 games, making his largest impact in 2023 when he recorded 11 tackles across 12 games.

He picked up his first sack last season against Rice and was on his way to an even larger role in the defense before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the year, limiting him to just four games last fall.

Upon entering the portal, Aribisala received interest from several Group of 5 programs with offers from Ohio, New Mexico State and Arkansas State, among others.

The addition of Aribisala gives the Owls a robust group of defensive additions from the Transfer Portal this spring. He joins fellow defensive line additions VJ Bronson (North Texas) and Sam Carrell (Texas Tech) as well as safety Jack Kane (Oregon State) and corner Khary Crump (Houston Christian).

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The 6-foot-3, 295 pound interior defender has the potential to make a sizable impact on the Owls’ front. There’s not a ton of highlights out there, but this sack of Rice QB EJ Warner in the season opener last year showcased the kind of speed and power he brings to the table as a pass rusher.

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