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Rice Football 2025 Spring Practice Notebook 7: Offensive Takeaways

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The new-look Rice football offense was installed this spring and we learned a lot about what this side of the ball will look like under head coach Scott Abell.

It was mostly encouraging news regarding the Rice football offense as head coach Scott Abell and his staff started installation this spring. In his words, they got “probably 60 percent” of the way toward where they need to be while he’d been hoping for the group to get to 75 percent by the end of the spring.

More: Rice Football Spring Game Takeaways

“The meat and potatoes are in,” he teased, reinforcing the team had gotten the bones of the offense installed. With those pieces in place, it’s time to step back and make an assessment of how this side of the ball is doing and what we learned from it during the spring.

Off to the races

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The Roost Podcast | Ep 198 – Rice Football Spring Review

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The first set of Rice football spring practices under head coach Scott Abell have come to an end and y’all have questions. We field them in this show.

After reviewing an intra-season coaching hire for Rice baseball, The Roost podcast pivots back to Rice football, discussing the Spring Game and general takeaways from the first spring under head coach Scott Abell. Rather than reiterate things we’ve mentioned before, we opened the mailbag and solicited questions from our listeners.

You can find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 198.

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 as is the Luv-Ya-Owls shirt. Make sure you check out the brand-new sailor hat (pictured below) as you shop the Rice collection or pick up something else (or both)!

Homefield

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Rice Football Spring Q&A from our listeners. Topics include:

  • The passing game
  • Injuries
  • Depth charts
  • The quarterback battle
  • Scheme and tempo
  • The offensive line
  • Surprises, standouts and closing thoughts

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.

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Rice Football Recruiting: OL Clay Mitchell commits to Owls

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The second pledge of the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class is on the board. Offensive lineman Clay Mitchell has committed to the Owls.

The beginnings of the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class are taking shape. With one pledge already in the fold, the Owls hosted a whole flock of recruits during the Blue and Gray weekend, landing at least one commit thus far. Offensive lineman Clay Mitchell has committed to the Owls.

Mitchell had offers from UTEP, where current Rice football Director of Player Personnel Chad Johnson came from prior to arriving at South Main, as well the services academies and Georgia State. For Mitchell, it was the presence of head coach Scott Abell and his culture that made the difference.

“Coach Abell also is very easy to talk to and makes me and my family feel like we are a part of his own family,” Mitchell told The Roost, later adding that “Coach Abell is known for turning around programs and I am all in to help make that happen.”

Mitchell joins Sulphur (OK) tight end Colten Cole as the initial members of the 2026 class, which has seen dozens of offers extended to targets in the last few week, many of which were on campus this past weekend.

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

When it comes to the tape, Mitchell’s prowess in the trenches sticks out. He told The Roost he prides himself in his run blocking and his “ability to dominate at the line of scrimmage and make people want to quit.” The physicality sticks out and should make him an exciting piece to watch in the trenches when he arrives on South Main.

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New-look offense shines at 2025 Rice Football Spring Game

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The 2025 Rice football spring practices concluded on Saturday with the spring game, a more condensed version this year, but still rich with things to learn.

An open quarterback competition, a new offense and plenty of new faces made for an exciting night at Historic Rice Stadium for the Owls’ first spring game under head coach Scott Abell on Saturday night. Marketed as more of an open practice, the Owls went through some drills before going through a handful of drives in front of the assembled crowed.

More: Spring Practice Notebook 6 — Big moves in the trenches

This update focuses on what took place in that scrimmage, hitting on some takeaways from the game and how those items compare to the totality of the spring.

Mission Accomplished

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Rice Football 2025 Spring Practice Notebook 6: In the Trenches

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The Rice football offensive line has impressed this spring as the group evolves into the Owls’ new offensive scheme one practice at a time.

Watching the offensive line transition from a West Coast scheme to a spread option offense has been one of the more intriguing journeys of Rice football spring practice. Every group has been learning a new language and a new way of doing things, but the way the offensive line has had to adapt and how effectively they’ve turned the page has been notable.

More: Spring Practice Notebook 5 — Slot School

This update dives into the progress the offensive line has made, what’s going to look different when it comes to how they’ll play on Saturdays and an early look at what players are lining up where this spring.

Impressing up front

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