The source for Rice sports news

  • Football
    • Recruiting
    • Offer Tracker
    • Roster
    • Schedule
    • NFL Owls
  • Premium
    • Patreon
    • Season Preview
    • Join / FAQ
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Store
    • News
    • Basketball
    • Baseball
    • About
    • Contact
  • Login

Rice Football Recruiting: JUCO DB Max Ahoia commits to Owls

May 24, 2023 By Matthew Bartlett

The 2023 Rice Football recruiting class continues to add its finishing touches. Most recently, the Owls landed a pledge from JUCO defensive back Max Ahoia.

When it came to putting the finishing touches on the 2023 Rice Football recruiting class, getting veteran help in the defensive backfield was near the top of the to-do list. The Owls checked that box with the commitment of JUCO defensive back Max Ahoia, who has made his pledge to the Owls.

The 5-foot-11, 182-pound Ahoia had 10 pass breakups and one interception last season where he played traditionally on the outside at corner. He did showcase some versatility along the way, though, moving into the slot and inside on occasion.

Ahoia’s market began to heat up in earnest this summer. In the month of May alone he received offers from Georgia Southern and Arkansas State. As Rice prepares to make the move from Conference USA to the American, edging out a couple of Sun Belt programs on the recruiting trail is a nice plus.

The corner room looks a bit more seasoned with Ahoia in the mix. Jordan Dunbar and Sean Fresch are still in line to be the starters at this point, but that’s a position where Rice knows from experience that depth is worth the investment.

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

On the film, Ahoia’s initial burst and aggressiveness stand out. He’s quick to commit to the play break on the ball and that eagerness extends to his willingness to tackle, too. He’s got the tools and has the potential to be an impact player for the Owls in the future.

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

Recent Posts
  • Rice Football Recruiting: SLOT Davis Lane commits to Owls
  • Rice Football Recruiting: SLOT Michael Sifford commits to Owls
  • The Roost’s 2025 Rice Football Season Superlatives
  • 2025 Rice Football MVP, Offensive Player of the Year: Quinton Jackson

Filed Under: Archive, Football, Football Recruiting Tagged With: Max Ahoia, Rice Football, Rice Football recruiting

Rice Football Recruiting: FB Colin Giffen commits to Owls

May 23, 2023 By Matthew Bartlett

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.

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

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.

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

Recent Posts
  • Rice Football Recruiting: SLOT Davis Lane commits to Owls
  • Rice Football Recruiting: SLOT Michael Sifford commits to Owls
  • The Roost’s 2025 Rice Football Season Superlatives
  • 2025 Rice Football MVP, Offensive Player of the Year: Quinton Jackson

Filed Under: Archive, Football, Football Recruiting Tagged With: Colin Giffen, Rice Football, Rice Football recruiting

Rice Football Recruiting: DT Michael Larbie commits to Owls

May 17, 2023 By Matthew Bartlett

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.

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

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.

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

Recent Posts
  • Rice Football Recruiting: SLOT Davis Lane commits to Owls
  • Rice Football Recruiting: SLOT Michael Sifford commits to Owls
  • The Roost’s 2025 Rice Football Season Superlatives
  • 2025 Rice Football MVP, Offensive Player of the Year: Quinton Jackson

Filed Under: Archive, Football, Football Recruiting Tagged With: Michael Larbie, Rice Football, Rice Football recruiting

The Roost Podcast | Ep 143 – ’23 FAU Preview with Kevin Fielder

May 17, 2023 By Matthew Bartlett

The Roost Podcast is making its AAC rounds, previewing 2023 Rice Football opponents and sharing one big podcast announcement.

The new-look AAC features a mix of familiar and formerly familiar Rice football foes. We start our 2023 preview series with FAU football, most recently a Conference USA opponent of the Houston-based Owls. Kevin Fielder of Owls247 joins the show this week to preview FAU’s upcoming season, talk expectations and general AAC musings.

You can find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 143.

Follow @TheRoostPod

Episode Notes

DCTF

The Roost Podcast is now part of the Dave Campbell’s Republic of Football Podcast Network. You’ll still get the same content with the same hosts, but now under the DCTF banner.

Homefield

We’re thrilled to partner with Homefield Apparel, the premier proprietor of college football clothing. First-time buyers can use the code ROOST for 15% off their order. The Owls hoodie is a personal favorite. Shop the Rice collection or pick up something else (or both)!

Patreon

Get exclusive insight 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!

Previewing 2023 FAU football with Kevin Fielder

  • FAU’s transition from C-USA to the AAC
  • The Tom Herman hire and his fit with FAU
  • Casey Thompson’s place in the AAC quarterback hierarchy
  • Additional playmakers on offense
  • Question marks on defense
  • Fair expectations for the program in 2023 and beyond
  • The Lightning Round

Where can you find us?

The Roost Podcast is part of the Dave Campbell’s Republic of Football Podcast Network. You can find this podcast and all of our partner podcasts on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.

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

Recent Posts
  • Rice Football Recruiting: SLOT Davis Lane commits to Owls
  • Rice Football Recruiting: SLOT Michael Sifford commits to Owls
  • The Roost’s 2025 Rice Football Season Superlatives
  • 2025 Rice Football MVP, Offensive Player of the Year: Quinton Jackson

Filed Under: Featured, Football, Podcast Tagged With: AAC, podcast, Rice Football

2023 April Window AAC Transfer Portal Updates

May 12, 2023 By Matthew Bartlett

The spring transfer window closed for non-graduates at the end of April and there were several late entrants for incoming and outgoing AAC squads.

Not every AAC football team was impacted in a significant way by the transfer portal over the past few weeks, but some experienced significant departures. Here are five names worth mentioning as they prepare to exit their respective programs.

RB Alton McCaskill, Houston

Houston won’t be an AAC member for much longer, but the Cougars face several incoming and outgoing AAC squads in 2023 and will have to do so without Alton McCaskill, arguably their most talented offensive player. McCaskill rushed for 961 yards and 16 touchdowns as a true freshman before missing last season with an injury. Colorado is rumored to be a potential landing spot.

WR Zakhari Franklin, UTSA

The go-to target for the Roadrunners, Franklin was another shocking late entrant to the portal. He set the single-season program records for receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns as a junior in 2021 and then broke his own program records for those same measures in 2022.  UTSA will still return Joshua Cephus and De’Corian Clark, but Franklin is a massive loss.

WR Jyaire Shorter, North Texas

Shorter has run into some bad luck on the injury front in 2020 and 2021, but when healthy, remains a dynamic playmaker. He led the FBS in yards per reception last season (27.2 yards per catch) and figured to be the top target for the Mean Green in 2023. That will no longer be the case. Auburn is rumored to be a potential landing spot.

LB Larry Nixon III, North Texas

A multi-year starter for North Texas, Nixon posted double-digit tackles in three of his final four games with the Mean Green and leaves Denton with 246 career tackles. He was offered be Auburn and Miami soon after entering the portal.

CB Jadon Canady, Tulane

Canady was a starter in 2021 and the early portions of the 2022 campaign before an ACL injury ended his season prematurely. He might not be fully 100 percent to begin the 2023 season, but he’s still a quality player with extensive experience, more than 1,200 snaps over the past two years.

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

Recent Posts
  • Rice Football Recruiting: SLOT Davis Lane commits to Owls
  • Rice Football Recruiting: SLOT Michael Sifford commits to Owls
  • The Roost’s 2025 Rice Football Season Superlatives
  • 2025 Rice Football MVP, Offensive Player of the Year: Quinton Jackson

Filed Under: Archive, Football Tagged With: AAC, Transfer Portal

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 140
  • 141
  • 142
  • 143
  • 144
  • …
  • 407
  • Next Page »
  1. Item 1
  2. Item 2
  3. Item 3
  4. Item 4
  5. Item 5
  • Rice Football
  • Rice Football
  • Quinton Jackson, Rice Football
  • Jack Ben-Shoshan, Rice Baseball
  • Rice Baseball, David Pierce
Become a patron at Patreon!
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter