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Rice Football Recruiting: FB Colin Giffen commits to Owls

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The rare Rice Football recruiting fullback find is here. The Owls have landed a commitment from transfer Colin Giffen.

Colin Giffen is a football player. That might be the best possible way to describe the newest addition to the 2023 Rice Football recruiting class, which secured a pledge for his services this week, plucking him out of the Transfer Portal. Now Giffen will be a Rice Owl.

Originally from Palo Alto, California, Giffen walked on at UNLV in 2020 where he played linebacker. He spent last season at junior college, playing a hybrid h-back and tight end role. When he makes the move south to Texas, he’ll be a fullback at Rice.

Giffen, who has three seasons of eligibility remaining, tells The Roost he’s excited for the opportunity. “Right when I got there, you could tell that the culture they have is special and something I wanted to be a part of,” he said. And the position change? Giffen thinks his journey to this point has already set him up for success on that front.

“Previously being a linebacker at UNLV. it helped me be able to see coverages really well and see things before they happen.”

Rice beat out North Texas to land Giffen’s commitment. Giffen is the second portal addition for the Owls in the last week and a half. They most recently added a commitment from Duke transfer defensive tackle Michael Larbie.

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On the field, Giffen says he idolizes 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk, a seven-time pro bowler. While he might not be at Juszczyk’s level quite yet, the willingness to hold a block and power through oncoming rushers should get Rice fans excited. His film has plenty of highlights with him out in space, too. Standing 6-foot-2 and tipping the scales at 240 pounds, he’s a powerful force when he gets on the move.

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Rice Football Recruiting: DT Michael Larbie commits to Owls

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Rice Football recruiting has picked up its first transfer portal addition of the summer with the commitment of Duke defensive tackle Michael Larbie.

After the conclusion of spring practices, there were more defined marching orders for Rice football recruiting, as far as priorities go. The Owls knew what needs they had and went to work addressing them. Rice checked one of those boxes this week, picking up a commitment from Duke transfer defensive tackle Michael Larbie.

Larbie is a North Carolina native who signed with Duke before the 2019 season. He didn’t get on the field with the Blue Devils that year or during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. He made his debut in 2021, playing in the defensive line rotation for the next two seasons, amassing 11 tackles over 12 games with one TFL and half a sack.

He should serve as an experienced compliment to the Owls’ core of players on the interior consisting of De’Braylon Carroll, Izeya Floyd and Blake Boenisch. Although Rice has some young up-and-coming options at the position, getting veteran depth was a priority for this portal cycle. Larbie fits the bill.

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Even with limited playing time at Duke, Larbie’s upside is intriguing. He’ll be able to fill a more specified role with the Owls, hopefully boosting some of the traits he flashes on film.

Larbie has several reps where he showcases his ability to shed blockers and progress into the offensive backfield. That skill should only be magnified when he gets to lineup some of the Owls’ additional people-movers in the trenches. The 6-foot, 273-pound graduate should become an important piece of the rotation as soon as he’s up to speed.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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

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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.
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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.

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