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Rice Football Recruiting: WR Christian McStravick commits to Owls

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The 2020 Rice Football recruiting class has added another playmaker. Boston College transfer wide receiver Christian McStravick has committed to the Owls.

The majority of the 2020 Rice Football recruiting class was wrapped during the early signing period last December. The Owls added a few key pieces in February, rounding out an impressive group of incoming freshmen. But it was always the intent to add at least one more cherry on top in the form of an instant-impact transfer.

To that end, Rice has diligently combed through the Transfer Portal, seeking players who could come in and contribute immediately. Bolstering the depth on the offensive side of the ball was a priority in that search. Rice has found someone who fits the bill who will bring that necessary combination of experience and talent.

Former Boston College wide receiver Christian McStravick has committed to the Owls. His addition bolsters the 2020 Rice Football recruiting class. He’s the fourth transfer in the class, joining quarterback Mike Collins (TCU), kicker Collin Riccitelli (Stanford) and offensive lineman Jovaun Woolford (Colgate).

Originally from Houston, McStravick attended Strake Jesuit high school before committing to Boston College. McStravick was a finalist for the Houston Touchdown Club’s Offensive Player of the Year and a Top 100 recruit in the Greater Houston Area.

More: 2021 Rice Football Recruiting Tracker

He did not see significant action with the Eagles, appearing in seven games without recording any receptions. He missed last season recovering from an ACL injury. He’ll have two years of eligibility remaining when he arrives at South Main.

McStravick (6-foot-4, 200-pounds) brings size to the Rice offense which needed depth in that area after the departure of Aaron Cephus. Prior to McStravick’s addition, Bradley Rozner was the only receiver listed at six-foot or taller on the Owls’ roster. Now the Owls’ have two big-bodied targets, both of which have multiple seasons of college football under their belts.

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Rice Football Recruiting: 2021 OL Ethan Onianwa commits to Owls

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The 2021 Rice Football recruiting class added a big addition in the offensive trenches. Cinco Ranch lineman Ethan Onianwa has committed to the Owls.

Going virtual hasn’t slowed down the 2021 Rice football recruiting class. The Owls continue to add talent to their ranks despite the challenging circumstances. This time they didn’t have to venture out that far from their home base, snagging Cinco Ranch offensive lineman Ethan Onianwa, the latest in a run of Texas commitments.

The Owls have been first too offer on several of their targets, but not on Onianwa. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound grinder in the trenches already held offers from Vanderbilt, SMU, North Texas and a host of Ivies prior to Rice making an official offer. Both parties were in contact often leading up to that moment, which came just a few days before Onianwa made his decision.

Onianwa is the eighth commitment of the 2021 Rice football recruiting class and one of the highest-rated additions to date. The Owls scooped up four before the in person restrictions were put in place. Since then they’ve added tight end Jaggar Hebeisen (April 6), linebacker DJ Arkansas (April 14) and defensive lineman Elroyal Morris (April 24).

More: 2021 Rice Football Recruiting Tracker

Onianwa isn’t coming in blind. He was on campus for the Owls’ last junior day in early March. He’s well aware of what is being built at Rice. And now he’s going to be a part of the growth already in progress. The Owls are well on their way to landing one of Conference USA’s best classes.

Head coach Mike Bloomgren had made a concerted effort to add the right pieces along the offensive line. Onianwa is a people-mover in the making and one that’s going to make waves down the road at South Main in the near future.

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Rice Football Recruiting: 2021 DL Elroyal Morris commits to Owls

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The 2021 Rice Football recruiting class continues to grow. Dekaney defensive lineman Elroyal Morris has committed to the Owls.

Rice football recruiting has developed a pretty strong track record. They’re not afraid to be the first to offer anyone who meets their rigorous criteria. Those were the circumstances surrounding the recruitment of Dekaney lineman Elroyal Morris.

Rice was the first to offer Morris. They were active in his recruitment from start to finish. In many ways, everything went according to plan.

The Owls offered Morris on National Signing Day as part of a 2021 blitz that included a half dozen other offers. Morris had already established a relationship with the staff at that point and seemed poised to make the jump in short order. His social media accounts profile pictures reflected him decked out in Rice attire, all that was left was to make his lean official.

More: 2021 Rice Football Recruiting Tracker

Morris has done that now, committing to Rice amidst the coronavirus lockdown. He becomes the seventh member of the 2021 Rice Football Recruiting class and the second defensive line commit, joining Blake Boenisch, another Houston-area product.

Rice has broadcast its commitment to a national recruiting strategy, but they’ve maintained a commitment to winning in-state too. Six of the Owls’ seven commits hail from the state of Texas.

The 2021 defensive haul is starting to look rather impressive. Along with Boenisch and Morris, a trio of linebackers rounds out Conference USA’s top-ranked recruiting class. The Owls were already No. 1 on that front before adding Morris to the fold. He’ll add to the Owls’ advantage as the Early Signing Period begins to approach.

Standing 6-foot-3 and tipping the scales at 270 pounds, Morris is a bully in the trenches. He’ll enter Rice with a frame ready to be built upon, already set with a strong foundation for his future.

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Rice Football Recruiting: 2021 LB DJ Arkansas commits to Owls

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The 2021 Rice Football class picked up a major commitment from Denton Ryan linebacker DJ Arkansas, the highest-rated member of the Owls’ class.

For DJ Arkansas, things have finally come full circle. The linebacker was the first defensive player offered a spot in the 2021 Rice Football recruiting class. That offer came back in October when the Owls were making their initial foray into the 2021 class.

Rice is historically choosy with its offers, making the first offer all the more important. It was noteworthy they opened their 2021 defensive class with a push to get the Denton Ryan defender on board. Rice made their overture clear and continued to build that relationship over time. That focus has paid dividends.

After receiving offers from schools across the country from San Diego State on the West Coast to Duke on the East Coast, the Texas native has made his decision. Even though he shares a namesake with Arkansas, who extended him an offer and made a push to woo him to the SEC, DJ Arkansas has committed to Rice.

More: 2021 Rice Football Recruiting Tracker

Arkansas is the third linebacker and the fifth player to join the 2021 Rice Football Recruiting class. He joins Aidan Siano and Kenny Seymour at his position as well as offensive lineman Faaeanuu Pepe and defensive lineman Blake Boenisch. Altogether, the group represents the highest-rated recruiting class in Conference USA.

This is a huge addition for the Owls. Arkansas brings a fire and focus on the field that should make him an elite defender in Conference USA. He’s aggressive but smart. He’s knowledgable enough to know when to let the play develop and when to strike. Perhaps more important than anything else, he can get to the quarterback in a hurry and put him on the turf. Arkansas is a stopper and an exciting addition to a defense that’s already trending in the right direction.

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Rice Football Recruiting: 2021 TE Jaggar Hebeisen commits to Owls

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The 2021 Rice Football recruiting class has its first tight end. Colleyville Heritage tight end Jaggar Hebeisen has committed to the Owls.

The limitations on in-house recruiting visits haven’t slowed down the 2021 Rice Football recruiting class. The Owls’ didn’t lose focus, they just shifted their attention online and on the phone. They entered the sudden pause with four commitments. On Friday they picked up their first new addition since. Colleyville Heritage tight end Jaggar Hebeisen has committed to the Owls.

More: 2021 Rice Football Recruiting commitment tracker

Hebeisen had several offers at the time of his commitment, Utah being the most prominent name. Other notable offers included several Ivy League schools, Air Force and Louisiana Tech. Even with interest picking up this spring, he still planned to make a decision sooner rather than later. The goal was to have things wrapped up before his senior season this fall.

Not only was Hebeisen able to cull the list down before the summer, he’d made his final decision before spring was over. He had plans to visit campus at the end of March, but the shutdown put those on hold. A week later, he committed to the Owls.

The tight end position encompasses several different kinds of players. Rice has several strong blockers who fare best on the line of scrimmage. Heibensen should fill more of the vertical role, giving the Owls the ability to stretch the field and use him in the passing game.

Standing at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Hebeisen has a sturdy frame. He can play in-line and flex out to the slot. Whether Rice needs him in the backfield or split out, he feels comfortable in space. With him in the fold, the Owls have built a strong contingent of young tight ends including Jack Bradley and Nate Kamper.

Rice is going to get to use Hebeisen in a variety of ways. This was a big get for the Owls’ offense.

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