The source for Rice sports news

Rice Football Recruiting: RB Dionne Sims commits to Owls

By

A dynamic local rusher is joining the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class. CE King running back Dionne Sims has committed to the Owls.

Because the position is the engine that drives head coach Scott Abell’s gun-option offense, there’s a high bar to clear for prospective running backs that could have been targets for the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class. Following an extensive search, the program has landed on its next man up at the position. CE King running back Dionne Sims has committed to the Owls.

Sims is a game-changer with no lack of interest across the nation. His first offer in high school came from Oregon before he added the likes of Illinois, Arizona, Houston, UTSA, Texas State and others to mix. He eventually committed to Stephen F Austin in June, but made the flip to Rice this week as the fall season started to wind down.

Outside interest aside, Sims’ potential makes him a significant win for the Owls. Those talents hit a high point earlier this season when he rushed for a school-record 435 yards and six touchdowns against Atascocita, no small feat.

Sims is the latest addition to a stable that includes other local standouts like D’Andre Hardeman (Northshore) and Tyvonn Byars (Lake Creek). He joins a 2026 Rice Football recruiting class that already includes skill players Preston Jackson, Jai Jacobs-Ford, led by quarterback commit Ayden Wilhelm.

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

When it comes to the tape, there’s a ton to like with Sims. His vision is superb and he can a fantastic job putting his foot in the ground and exploding downfield. He’s a hard runner with a nose for the endzone that should find plenty of opportunity in an offense that loves to pound the rock.

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

Recent Posts

Rice Football: The Good, The Bad and the Midseason Numbers

By

At roughly the midpoint of the season, Rice football has felt like a mixed bag of some good and some bad. The numbers reflect that uncertainty.

The first Rice football bye week of the season doesn’t exactly bifurcate the season into two equal parts, but it does serve as a natural delineation between halves of the season. The staff had time to sit down during the week and make some adjustments, hopefully leading to improved performance across the board over the next five games.

What specific areas could they be targeting to improve? And what is this team already doing well? Here’s a quick look at what the numbers suggest.

The Good

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.

Subscriber content. 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 2025: UConn Game Week Practice Notes

By

It’s been a week of rest and strategizing for Rice football as they prepare to kick off the second half of their season against UConn. Here’s news from the practice field.

A week and a half removed from losing three quarterbacks in a game and suffering a third straight defeat, Rice football looks refreshed and restored heading into its Week 7 game against UConn. It’s not all positive news on the health front, but the program is certainly looking in much better shape than it did two weeks ago.

This week’s update will hit on those key injuries, particularly at quarterback, as well as what wrinkles the program has been able to implement in the bye week and a few other risers and fallers in the off week.

And This Week’s Starting Quarterback Will Be…?

Subscriber content. 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 2025: NFL Owls Week 7 Roundup

By

Rice Football is well represented on 2025 NFL rosters. Here’s the latest from the NFL Owls in action in Week 7.

There are former Rice football players scattered across the NFL. Stay tuned each week for their game results and notables from each player.

TeamNFL Owl(s)This WeekResultNext Week
Washington CommandersLuke McCaffrey (WR)at CowboysL, 44-22at Chiefs (MNF)
Philadelphia EaglesKylen Granson (TE)at VikingsW, 28-22vs Giants
Detroit LionsJack Fox (P)vs Bucs (SNF)W, 24-9— OFF —
Pittsburgh SteelersChris Boswell (PK)
Calvin Anderson (OL)		at Bengals (TNF)L, 33-31vs Packers (SNF)

Defense

Elijah Garcia – DL, Giants

Garcia was waived by the Giants this week.

Offense

Luke McCaffrey – WR, Commanders

McCaffrey was targeted twice in the Commanders’ Week 7 game against the Cowboys but did not record a reception. It was his first game without a catch since Week 1.

Calvin Anderson – OL, Steelers

Anderson saw action in his third game of the season this weekend, playing on special teams in the Steelers’ Week 7 game against the Bengals.

Kylen Granson – TE, Eagles

Granson officially got his second start of the season with the Eagles’ offense, splitting time between that phase and the special teams unit where he’s been a regular this season. He did not record any official statistics.

Special Teams

Jack Fox – P, Lions

Fox punted five times in the Lions’ Week 7 win over the Bucs, averaging 51.2 yards per kick with a long of 66 yards. He pinned one of his kicks inside the 20 yard line.

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

Boswell was 1-of-1 on his lone field goal against the Bengals in Week 7, converting all four of his extra point tries. He is 10-of-12 on field goals this season, including one blocked kick.

More Owls in the NFL

From practice squads to current free agents, there are other Owls on the cusp of returning to active rosters. Find more details on current contractual agreements and former Rice football players waiting for their next opportunity here.

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

Recent Posts

Rice Football 2025: UConn presser quotes and depth chart

By

Next up for Rice football, a home game against UConn. Here’s what head coach Scott Abell had to say about the matchup and a few depth chart notes.

Head coach Scott Abell, this time with no players alongside him, met with the media for his customary weekly availability. He recapped the UTSA game and the bye week before looking ahead at the Owls’ upcoming matchup with UConn.

The Roost Podcast: Rice Football vs UTSA Game Recap and Midseason Review

We touch on those items, then dig into the Rice football depth chart and what the team looks like heading into the weekend. First, the quotes:

Press Conference Quotes

You got to tackle better. You got a block better. and those are two fundamental things of football that will never change. Those are things that we worked on the entire bye week as we prepared for our next opponent. we’ll really find out when we step on the field the next time if the work pays off. I’m going to tell you I’m really excited about the work that we got done. I anticipate that you’ll see a much different football team when we step on the field Saturday against UConn. – Rice Football head coach Scott Abell on what they team is taking away from the UTSA game

When you see them on film, they are a unit that, they know exactly who they are… They understand their scheme really well and they fit. Teams that want to be multiple have to fit. Because if you’re multiple, but yet you don’t fit, then you open yourself up. They fit really well with all their multiplicity and their blitz and stunt packages that they use with their front, their front six. – Rice Football head coach Scott Abell on the UConn defense

He doesn’t make mistakes, takes care of the football. It’s what we all want our quarterbacks, no matter what system you run, you want to protect the football. [He] does a phenomenal job doing that. – Rice Football head coach Scott Abell on UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano

Without mentioning specific things right now, all of them have some type of day-to-day with whatever they’re dealing with underneath their name. Whatever that looks like, maybe it inhibits one of them from doing something, but another one can do something [else]. You could see multiple quarterbacks in a game because of what they’re capable of, health-wise. I won’t know that, probably until we get closer to the end of the week…
PJ [Crayton] had stitches when he went out. He’s fully cleared. He’s one on the [depth] chart that really has no restrictions. Everyone else, we’re day-to-day. How close can we get them to full reps as we get to the weekend will probably determine who gets the nod and what set of schemes do they get the nod in. But we’ll be prepared. Whatever they’re capable of, we’ll figure out what they can do best. – Rice Football head coach Scott Abell on the state of the Owls’ quarterback room

Full Press Conference

Depth Chart

Depth Chart Notes

This week’s depth chart looks significantly different than it did heading into the bye week. At center David Stickle is listed for the first time since his injury. Netane Fehoko fills in for the spot vacated by John Long, who’s availability this week is uncertain. Also on offense, Landon Ransom-Goelz makes his first appearance since his injury several weeks ago and Semaj Pierre moves into the two-deep at slot.

The quarterback position doesn’t have any listed changes just yet, but Abell addressed the availability of those players specifically in his remarks above.

On defense, a healthy safety room moves Peyton Stevenson to Viper and Daveon Hook back to their starting free safety spots. At corner, the indefinite suspension of Khary Crump pushes Jerrick Harper into a potential starting spot ahead of Lavonte Johnson.

Whether or not all of these new faces will see action, how much they’ll be able to do and what additional permutations could happen — particularly at quarterback — will be addressed in this week’s practice report, available to those subscribed to our Starting Lineup Tier on Patreon. That will be published later in the week.

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

Recent Posts