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Rice Football Recruiting: 2023 LB Beau Barton commits to Owls

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The first linebacker pledge in the 2023 Rice Football recruiting class is in. Van (TX) linebacker Beau Barton has committed to the Owls.

A productive weekend ended in a pair of commitments for the 2023 Rice football recruiting class. In addition to having a jam-packed camp session with athletes from all over, the Owls made sure to lock down at least a pair of commitments while they worked the crowd. One of those pledges comes on the defensive side of the ball. Linebacker Beau Barton has committed to the Owls.

Barton picked up an offer from Rice in mid-May. At the time he already held offers from Colgate and Lamar. Barton told The Roost he “knew what my decision was as soon as Rice gave me the opportunity.” Sure enough, a few weeks after receiving the initial offer, Barton pulled the trigger and made his commitment public.

Following his announcement, Barton cited the environment and the coaching staff as driving forces behind his decision. He saw himself as a good fit for the Rice defense and was excited about the scheme defensive coordinator Brian Smith has employed at South Main in recent seasons.

Barton prides himself as a run stopper with a twitchy first step and burst that help him in the passing game. Above all else, he calls himself a player “with a heart larger than life” who’s ready to make a difference for the Owls at the next level.

The addition of Barton and fellow weekend commitment Landon Ransom brings the 2023 Rice football recruiting class up to 11 commitments thus far. Barton is the fourth defensive commitment and the first linebacker in the class.

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Barton’s film backs up his claims in the run-stuffing department. He shoots into the backfield like a cannon and has enough raw power and speed to bowl through blockers on his way to the football. He finishes with intensity and isn’t shy to make sure the opposing ball carrier feels the hit all the way to the ground. Barton has the potential to be a mainstay in the middle of the Owls’ defense for years to come.

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Rice Football Recruiting: 2023 WR Landon Ransom commits to Owls

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The 2023 Rice Football recruiting had added an offensive playmaker, picking up a commitment from 2023 wide receiver Landon Ransom.

The summer camp circuit was good to Rice football recruiting and its 2023 class. The Owls had a myriad of players on campus this weekend and walked away with multiple commitments. On the offensive side of the ball, wide receiver Landon Ransom has committed to the Owls.

Ransom chose the Owls over offers from Arkansas State, Army and Navy. Although there were other teams interested in his services, the decision was an easy one for the Owls’ newest offensive weapon. “It was always Rice,” Ransom said, affirming the confidence in which he made his decision. Initially offered on National Signing Day for the 2022 class, Ransom has remained in the Owls’ sights for more than four months. Now, his decision is made.

Versatility will always be near the top of the Owls’ priority list for incoming recruits. Ransom told The Roost he believes his ability to win on the outside and the inside helped differentiate himself from his peers. Standing 6-foot and tipping the scales at 170 pounds prior to his senior season, he has a strong base to build off of as he makes the transition to college ball next year.

Ransom is the first wide receiver commitment in the 2023 Rice football recruiting class and the first true skill position player the Owls have secured outside of quarterback Chase Jenkins. Rice picked up five offensive line commitments in a two week period in late April and early May before adding three commitments in the secondary in the early summer months. Linebacker Beau Barton committed the same weekend.

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One quick look at Ransom’s highlights makes it easy to see what piqued the Owls’ interest. From deep speed to the ability to win with his body, Ransom can win in a variety of ways already. He has a strong base from which to continue to develop his game and already possesses an awareness that is challenging to teach. Ransom’s ability to fill multiple roles and do multiple things make him a great pickup for the Owls.

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The Roost Podcast | Ep 113 – ’22 North Texas Preview with Matthew Brune

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It’s preseason preview time at The Roost Podcast and we get things started this week with a look at North Texas football with Matthew Brune of 247 Sports.

North Texas football had a wild ride last season, winning five in a row to reach bowl eligibility after a disastrous 1-6 start. Matthew Brune of 247 Sports joins The Roost Podcast this week to talk about the Mean Green, from their 2021 campaign to what we should expect from the program this coming season. This is the first of many team previews of the offseason.

You can find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 113.

Episode Notes

Announcements

The 2022 Conference USA Football Season Preview will be released on Wednesday, June. Get it for free as well as all preseason Rice football content when you subscribe to The Roost on Patreon. It’s that easy! You can get more information here.

Housekeeping

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Interview — North Texas football with Matthew Brune

  • Unpacking a crowded quarterback room
  • Who will emerge as true playmakers in the North Texas offense
  • Thoughts on the running game and how balanced the offense will be this season
  • Replacing the Murphy brothers on defense
  • Taking stock of the secondary
  • What’s next for Seth Littrell at North Texas?
  • The Lightning Round!

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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Rice Football Recruiting: Safety Jamarie Wiggins commits to Owls

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More help is coming on the back end. The 2023 Rice Football recruiting class has added a commitment from Connally (TX) safety Jamarie Wiggins.

The summer has been kind to the 2023 Rice Football recruiting class. Every few weeks, Rice adds another player to its growing list of commitments. Now their first safety of the class has locked in his pledge. After receiving an offer from Rice last month, Connally (TX) safety Jamarie Wiggins has committed to the Owls.

Wiggins picks Rice over a short, but impressive list of offers: West Virginia, Boston College, SMU, Colorado State, and Tulsa. Winning battles against Power 5 opponents is something the Owls have done on occasion in years past. Now the newly revamped recruiting staff can add Wiggins’ to their growing resume of contending with bigger schools, inside and outside the state.

The addition of Wiggins continues a recent run of defensive players. Rice opened the month of May with a commitment from offensive lineman Patrick Valent, their fifth consecutive commitment from the offensive trenches in a row and their sixth offensive player in the class. Since, Rice had added three defensive pledges, all from the secondary. Wiggins joins corners Jamarion Clark and AJ Stephens in the defensive backfield.

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For Wiggins, the film speaks for itself. The football finds him. Above all of his athletic traits, that innate ability to find the football and take it away from the other team is invaluable. Then, of course, he also adds the size and quickness to turn one impact play into an even bigger plus for the defense. He’s a physical player who has a nose for the ball. He’ll fit right in at South Main.

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Update from The Roost – Conference USA Football Season Preview coming soon

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Coming Soon: The Roost’s 2022 Conference USA Season Preview will be released on Wednesday, June 29th.

In years past, The Roost has offered two Preseason Preview digital magazines: one geared directly toward Rice football and another tailored to fans of all Conference USA teams. Starting this year, The Roost will be releasing one Conference USA Football Season Preview in lieu of the split offering.

The Preview will go on sale Wednesday, June 29th.

For Conference USA fans, nothing about your experience will change. You’ll still be able to purchase the preview from the site directly and it will have a similar look and feel to recent editions, with a few nuggets tucked in this year on the topic of conference realignment and the incoming members of the conference.

For Rice fans, this decision was made to streamline your access to Rice football content — and we’re not cutting anything. All position previews, individual superlatives and features that had been previously included in the Season Preview will be shared directly on Patreon over the next several weeks.

There’s now no need to purchase an additional Rice-specific preview. Simply pick up a copy of the conference preview (it’s cheaper than the Rice preview has been in the past!) and get everything else included in your Patreon subscription to The Roost.

Not a patron yet? Take advantage of this perk:

All first-time patrons on the Starting Lineup Tier that subscribe this summer (June 1 –> July 31) will receive a copy of the 2022 Conference USA Season Preview for FREE.

In addition to the season preview content you’ve come to expect, patrons all receive access to fall camp reports, practice notebooks, Q&As, recruiting analysis and more.

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Interested? Take a look at these unlocked posts to get a feel for what content you’ll be getting access to:

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Posted: July 10, 2024

Next up in our 2024 Rice Football Season Preview: running back. Here’s our breakdown of the Owls’ plans for the group this season. Rice football has a bonafide star in the running back room, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be a one-man show in the Owls’ backfield this fall. How will the coaching […]

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