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Mailbag: Evaluating the options at quarterback

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Rice football is in the midst of the final weeks of recruiting for the 2019 class. How will that play into the Owls’ quarterback depth chart?

There were a few questions this week concerning some of the more impactful walk-ons. There have been a few who have made public declarations so far, but more will be coming before National Signing Day. Hang tight. Rice is going to have several high-upside players on campus.

Q: Is there any chance at getting an impactful QB to transfer to Rice?

It depends on what you mean by impactful. Rice is a Group of 5 program which has won three games in the past two seasons. The trajectory of the program is headed in the right direction, but it’s going to be a process. There probably won’t be a Jalen Hurts or a Justin Fields walking through the Patterson Center any time soon.

That doesn’t mean the Owls can’t find the right piece to make their offense go. Remember, Shawn Stankavage, a transfer from Vanderbilt, won the first game of the Mike Bloomgren era at Rice. The coaching staff is monitoring the transfer portal and they’ve been in contact with several players who can help the Owls right away.
A transfer quarterback is definitely in play. If things work out as the staff hopes, they’ll add one to the roster by National Signing Day.

Q: Who will be competing for the QB position from those currently available?

The quarterback depth chart is going to change significantly between now and August. Wiley Green, Evan Marshman and Parker Towns will be in the mix. So too will be any additions the Owls make between now and National Signing Day, most likely one high school signee and one JUCO or grad transfer quarterback.

Together that makes five likely potential options for the starter in 2019. Any incoming freshman will wait his turn and learn the offense, just like Green did this year. Towns will most likely continue as a backup next season, too. That leaves Green, Marshman and the veteran transfer for the QB1 spot for the 2019 season.

Rice entered the 2018 season with a three-horse race for the starting job. One competitor was eliminated in fall camp before Stankavage was given the job for good following the second game. Expect a resolution more quickly this year, but there will more than likely be three serious competitors.

Q: What is the outlook on the team two years from now?

Two years from now is why Bloomgren was hired. 2018 was year zero for Rice football. It was a hard reset following a decline in production which resulted in a change at the top. More than once fans have heard an ask for patience. That’s not a cop-out, its the truth.

The establishment of a culture and the infusion of young talent were critical building blocks instilled in 2018. 27 freshman (19 true freshmen and 8 redshirt freshman) played in at least one game last season and five played in all 13. Bloomgren and his staff have remained in lockstep and the individuals added to the program since they arrived understand the expectations.

With the baseline set in 2018 and 2019, the future looks as bright as ever. The vision athletic director Joe Karlgaard and the administration have set is on schedule. The outlook remains overwhelmingly positive.

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Jack Fox shines at East-West Shrine Game

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Rice football alum Jack Fox put on a show in front of NFL scouts and coaches in Tampa, Florida at the 94th annual East-West Shrine Game.

Passed over for the Ray Guy Award given annually to the nation’s top punter, Fox has done everything he can this offseason to make sure NFL decision makers remember his name. The latest in a long line of Rice players to participate in the East-West Shrine Game, Jack Fox took advantage of his opportunity. Fox awed in practices the week leading up to the East-West Shrine Game. During the week he earned recognition from a host of analysts and coaches, many who were watching him in person for the first time.

After a few days of practice, Fox was called upon to put his leg to use for the West Team in a live game setting. The results, for those who’ve followed Fox’s theatrics all season, went just as expected.

Big kicks on a big stage

Fox’s first punt went 57 yards and was downed at the 4-yard line. His second kick went 34 yards before it was downed at the 2-yard line. After his second punt, the defense forced a fumble and promptly punched it in from the goal line. Fox’s superb punt resulted in seven quick points for the West team. In totality, Fox kicked five times for 234 yards, averaging 46.8 yards per punt, downing three kicks inside the 20-yard line and two kicks inside the 5-yard line. He allowed zero return yards.

Distance, accuracy and versatility, Fox can do it all. He’s an NFL caliber punter who has all the requisite skills to make a name an impact on Sundays.

Next, Fox will officially turn his attention to the NFL Draft scheduled to take place from April 25 to April 27. He’s hoping an impressive collegiate career and a strong showing at the Shrine Game can make him the first Rice specialist selected since Alan Pringle was chosen by the Houston Oilers in the 10th round of the 1975 NFL Draft. After Saturday’s showing it’s well within the realm of possibility. Drafted or not, Fox is going to get a shot at the big leagues.

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Owls make progress on several top targets

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Rice football is closing in on the completion of their 2019 recruiting class. Their latest official visit weekend was a big success.

The Owls picked up one commitment and got closer with several key targets over the weekend. The 2019 class now sits at 18 players with one more big weekend planned between now and National Signing Day in early February.

Defensive targets

The Myron Morrison decision was an important yes for the Owls over the weekend. His physicality fits right into the mentality that defensive coordinator wants to bring to this defense.

The defensive tackle situation didn’t work out quite as favorably. Rice had some concerns about Cooper Laake’s health entering the fall. Given the need for impact quickly at the position, Rice is going to hold off on offering Laake. There’s also a chance he takes the JUCO route and the Owls take a further look at him next year.

Transfers

The Owls made a strong impression on several transfer targets over the weekend. Stanford teammates Brian Chaffin and Reagan Williams were both offered and remain in play for the 2019 class, but I got the impression they’re going to take their time and think things over. Both players would be huge gets for Rice, so expect the pursuit to be relentless by the staff.

Quarterbacks

Rice didn’t offer Harvard quarterback Tom Stewart just yet, but both sides are still in contact as National Signing Day approaches. On the other hand, Jovonni Johnson, left with an offer and was thrilled with his trip to campus. He raved about the family atmosphere and spoke highly of the staff and fellow players. He’s got one more official visit lined up, but Rice is firmly in the driver’s seat in his recruitment.

Potential Houston transfers

Outside of those two, Rice is still perusing other alternatives as safety nets. I can confidently say former Houston signee Levi Williams is not high on the Owls’ list. He was recently released from his commitment by new head coach Dana Holgorsen, but doesn’t offer the same versatility as someone like Johnson.

As for the rest of the Houston players returning to the open market, Rice is taking a close look. If things work out for both parties the Owls could be in play to take the right guy or two.

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Jack Fox the Owls’ latest East West Shrine Game participant

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Rice football has sent several players to the East-West Shrine Game over the years. Jack Fox will be next Owl to participate in the postseason contest.

As a part of his preparation for the NFL Draft, punter Jack Fox will participate in the East-West Shrine Game. The game is scheduled to take place at Tropicana Field at 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 19. It will be televised on the NFL Network.

The NFL has noted there are more than 300 East-West Shrine Game alumni on NFL rosters each year. Playing at the next level is the goal for all of these players, a process which includes much more than Saturday’s exhibition.

During the week players will work with NFL coaches and personnel, their first chance to audition in front of pro teams. Fox’s squad will be coached by Minnesota Vikings linebackers coach Adam Zimmer with Vikings assistant Ryan Ficken coaching the special teams.

These will be some of the first touch points many of these players get with NFL representatives, and a week under their instruction will go way beyond the game itself. Fox has already put his best foot (literally) forward.

Owls in the East-West Shrine Game

Fox is the next in a rich tradition of Rice Owls who have participated in the East-West Shrine Game. He’s the ninth Rice player to participate in the past 25 editions of the game. So far, four of the eight previous participants have been selected in the NFL Draft. Fox hopes to make it five in April.

Year Game No. Name Pos Draft
1994 No. 69 Nathan Bennett FS Undrafted
1997 No. 72 ND Kalu DE 5th, PHI
2002 No. 77 Dan Dawson LB Undrafted
2009 No. 84 Jarret Dillard WR 5th, JAX
2011 No. 86 Cheta Ozougwu DE 7th, HOU
2014 No. 89 Phillip Gaines CB 3rd, KC
2015 No. 90 Bryce Callahan CB Undrafted
2015 No. 90 Jordan Taylor WR Undrafted
2019 No. 94 Jack Fox P TBD
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Linebacker Myron Morrison commits to Owls

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The 2019 Rice football recruiting class picked up its first addition after the early signing period with the commitment of linebacker Myron Morrison.

Rice signed 17 players in the early signing period in mid-December, leaving room for a handful of additional players slated to sign on National Signing Day. The coaching staff has been hard at work, hosting several key targets as soon as the dead period ended on January 11. Linebacker Myron Morrison, one of those targets who was on campus this weekend. He received an offer on Sunday and has committed to Rice.

The 6-foot-2, 193-pound outside linebacker won’t travel far from home to play for the Owls next season. The soon-to-be graduate of Atascocita High School is staying local, passing over offers from Colorado State and Air Force as well as fellow Houston-based schools Texas Southern and HBU.

Morrison will fit in nicely between safety Hunter Henry and defensive tackle Izeya Floyd, two of his future teammates who were with him on campus this weekend.

Building the family atmosphere and showcasing the culture of the Rice program continues to be a mainstay in the Rice recruiting process. Just about every official weekend features a mix of current commits, current players and heavy involvement by the staff. The results so far have been extremely promising.

Morrison joins Garrett Braden as the only linebackers in the 2019 class. Barring the emergence of a must-have type of player, the Owls will most likely stand pat with these two at the position this go around. They’ve got reason to be content. Braden is a winner and Morrison can deliver a hefty blow. Bringing in players who play with physicality has been a focal point of this offseason. Morrison certainly fits the bill.

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