The source for Rice sports news

Post Spring Rice Football Recruiting Updates — April Patreon Q&A

By

There have been a few significant updates on the Rice football recruiting front since spring practice ended. What’s the latest news?

The end of spring practices also coincided with the reopening of the Transfer Portal and another period of transfers. That means new Rice football recruiting updates, in the form of outgoing and potential incoming players.

Want to get your questions answered? Subscribe on Patreon for our monthly mailbag.

Subscriber content.<br /> Please login to see the full post or visit our Patreon page.
Sorry! This part of content is hidden behind this box because it requires a higher contribution level ($10) at Patreon. Why not take this chance to increase your contribution?
Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts

Rice Football Recruiting: ’24 LB Kaleb Blanton commits to Owls

By

The 2024 Rice Football recruiting class continues its steady rise, this time bolstering its defensive ranks. Linebacker Kaleb “KB” Blanton has committed to the Owls.

The second defensive commitment of the 2024 Rice Football recruiting class is in the fold and it’s a big one. Linebacker Kaleb “KB” Blanton has committed to the Owls. Originally offered by Rice in February, Blanton has been a coveted target for some time.

The Manvel High School star was on campus to check out practice on Monday and made his pledge public less than 24 hours later. He’s the first local player from the greater Houston area to join the 2024 class. For him, it was an easy decision. “As soon as I stepped on campus, I felt welcomed,” Blanton told The Roost. “It was almost as if I was already a part of their family.”

Blanton is a three-star recruit according to 247 Sports, and a highly regarded player in their esteem, too. His current composite rating makes him the highest rated commit in the 2024 class and puts him fifth all-time in program history. Blanton chose Rice over offers from Arizona, UTSA, Marshall, UNLV, Arkansas State and others.

With Blanton on board, the Owls now have three commits in the 2024 class. Wideout Owen Carter was the first to make his intentions known, committing in January. Defensive lineman Armstrong Nnodim came a month later in February and Blanton’s commitment rounds out a potent beginning trio, all of which are three-star recruits.

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

The reasons for wanting Blanton on the field at South Main become readily apparent as soon as your turn on the film. Blanton said he prides himself on his “ability to change direction, close space, cover and recognized plays on the field before anyone else.” All things that stand out quickly when watching him play.

His ability athleticism and awareness make him a difference-maker wherever he lines up on the field. For a program like Rice that emphasizes range and closing speed, Blanton fits the bill perfectly. His ability to deliver a punishing blow when he gets there is a cherry on top.

Become a Patron!
Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts

The Roost Podcast | Ep 139 – Rice Football 2023 Signing Day and Roster Evals

By

National Signing Day is in the books and the 2023 Rice football is starting to take shape. We break it all down in this week’s show.

Three new players were announced on National Singing Day, bringing the 2023 Rice Football class to 27 official additions with a few more coming down the road. With the class more or less finished, we take a look at the group and evaluate the roster entering the spring, taking things position by position.

You can find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 139.

Episode Notes

Housekeeping

  • Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast on your platform of choice. Every little bit helps.
  • Thank you to Bob Schlager and Chris Warren, our newest Booster Tier patrons.
  • Please support us on Patreon. Be the first to get the inside scoop on what’s going on with Rice football and stick around for even further analysis. That includes practice updates, analysis and more. Your support matters and makes The Roost better.
    Become a Patron!

2023 Rice Football National Signing Day and Roster Recap

  • CB coach Gerard Wilcher accepts head coaching job at Morehouse College
  • Reviewing the three new additions plus one additional commitment
    • OL Lavell Dumont
    • P/K Reese Keeney
    • LS Wyatt Freeman
    • WR Matt Sykes
  • Evaluating the roster as a whole. Which position groups are we the most confident in? Which groups have the most question marks entering the spring?

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. Please consider leaving a review wherever you listen.

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts

Rice Football Recruiting: ’24 DL Armstrong Nnodim commits to Owls

By

The 2024 Rice Football recruiting class is growing quickly with another commitment. Defensive lineman Armstrong Nnodim has committed to the Owls.

Not long after getting the first commitment in this cycle, the 2024 Rice football recruiting class has doubled down, landing its first defensive pledge. Defensive lineman Armstrong Nnodim has committed to the Owls.

Nnodim’s announcement comes on the heels of a commitment from Cy Fair wideout Owen Carter, who made his decision public four days prior. Getting two impact players this early in the cycle makes for a strong start. Both Nnodim and Carter represent a strong base for the Owls to build upon as they work towards another strong class.

Rice was the first to offer Carter but even though it was early in the recruiting calendar, the Owls had competition for Nnodim. The 6-foot-1, 245-pound defensive lineman had seven offers so far including soon-to-be fellow AAC foe UTSA as well as Arkansas State. Beating the Roadrunners head-to-head on the recruiting front is always a good thing.

Neither Nnodim nor Carter have been assigned recruiting rankings just yet, but based on total commitments alone, the Owls have pulled even with UCF and USF with two members of the 2024 class committed so far. No other program has more than one listed, including crosstown rival Houston.

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

Nnodim jumps out immediately on film. For one, he’s not a small man who had two-pick sixes on his resume this season in addition to his havoc plays on the quarterback himself. He’s already got a few impressive pass-rush moves in his arsenal and can win with speed and strength. A multi-sport athlete, Nnodim’s athleticism stands out by a wide margin.

Become a Patron!
Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts

Rice Football Recruiting: Breaking down the 2023 signees – Offense

By

The 2023 Rice Football Recruiting class started with a quarterback and continued to add offensive firepower. Here’s how this side of the ball stacks up.

Rice signed 24 players during the Early Signing Period. Of those players, 18 are current high school seniors and 15 of them play on the offensive side of the focal point of this update. We’ve gone position by position breaking down each of the new Owls and how they’ll help the program on the field. We’ll also account for a few names added on National Signing Day.

* designate early enrollees

Subscriber content.<br /> Please login to see the full post or visit our Patreon page.

For those checking in for the first time, or those returning, a quick programming note. Special features like this are reserved for our subscribers. Have questions? You can get those answered in our monthly Q&As and get access to all practice notes, recruiting updates and features like this one when you subscribe on Patreon today.

Quarterback (2) – JT Daniels*, Chase Jenkins*

Sorry! This part of content is hidden behind this box because it requires a higher contribution level ($10) at Patreon. Why not take this chance to increase your contribution?
Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts