The source for Rice sports news

Rice Football Recruiting: Owls, offers and commitments after camp weekend

By

Rice football recruiting had a productive camp weekend, observing future classes, issuing offers and grabbing some commitments along the way.

June is camp season. As the 2023 Rice football recruiting class continues to develop, the Owls’ staff is hard at work across the state, participating in various camps and even working one of their own right on their home turf. Rice hosted campers from across the country this past weekend, handing out a few offers and receiving a few commitments along the way. Here’s a quick rundown of the busy weekend at South Main.

Subscriber content.<br /> Please login to see the full post or visit our Patreon page.

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.

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 Recruiting: 2023 LB Beau Barton commits to Owls

By

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.

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

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.

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

Recent Posts

Rice Football Recruiting: 2023 WR Landon Ransom commits to Owls

By

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.

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

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.

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

Recent Posts

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

By

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

  • Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast on your platform of choice. Every little bit helps.
  • 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 updates from spring practices and more. Your support matters and makes The Roost better.
    Become a Patron!

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.

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

Recent Posts

Rice Football Recruiting: Safety Jamarie Wiggins commits to Owls

By

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.

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

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.

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

Recent Posts