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2025 Rice Football Season Preview: Slot

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Next up in our 2025 Rice Football Season Preview: slot. Here’s our breakdown of the Owls’ plans for the group this season.

The new Rice football offense brings with it new positions. Out are the fullbacks, no longer listed in any capacity on the Owls’ roster. In their place, head coach Scott Abell has introduced the Slot position, a crucial cog in his spread option attack. There’s a lot to unpack with this group that is expected to play a pivotal role for the Owls this season.

Rice Football Preseason Preview: Check out the rest of the series here.

This piece is part of our 2025 Rice Football Season Preview. Get access to it, as well as all other preview posts such as positional breakdowns, depth chart and schedule analysis and more when you subscribe on Patreon today. 

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** Photo credit: Maria Lysaker **

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Rice Football Recruiting: SAF Zion Allen commits to Owls

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It’s been a good month in the secondary for the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class. Safety Zion Allen has flipped his commitment to the Owls.

The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class picked up steam over the summer, exploding from a few commitments in the spring to more than a dozen future Owls awaiting their chance to arrive on campus. That number grew this weekend with their latest addition from the high school ranks. Safety Zion Allen from Aquinas High School (GA) has committed to the Owls.

Allen’s commitment is a bit unique because he was previously committed elsewhere. His first offer came from Army and he committed to the Black Knights in early July. Soon afterward, Rice football tosses its hat into the ring, forcing Allen to reconsider.

“It was difficult,” Allen told The Roost. “I had multiple conversations and prayers with my family which really helped.”

Allen pointed towards the relationships and academics as key factors in his decision, which he made official roughly a month after the Owls offered him a scholarship. The defensive scheme was important, too.

“I like the versatility of the position they’re recruiting me at,” Allen said. “I feel like I can thrive playing up high and playing in the box.”

With Allen in the fold, Rice football now has three defensive backs committed in the 2026 class. Cy Falls’ corner James Henderson and Ridge Point’s Jordan Mitchell each committed to the program this summer.

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Allen is a natural centerfielder with impressive range and a quick first step. Add in a willingness to engage and make a tackle and you get the makings of a rather complete player when you turn on the tape. He’s another athletic addition to a talented defensive backfield.

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2025 Rice Football Season Preview: Wide Receiver

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Next up in our 2025 Rice Football Season Preview: wide receiver. Here’s our breakdown of the Owls’ plans for the group this season.

There aren’t many traditional wide receivers remaining on the roster since Rice Football introduced the slot position along with the new scheme. Many of the players listed at the position last year have shifted to that room, leaving a small, but important contingent of outside guys the Owls will use to stretch the field this coming season.

Rice Football Preseason Preview: Check out the rest of the series here.

This piece is part of our 2025 Rice Football Season Preview. Get access to it, as well as all other preview posts such as positional breakdowns, depth chart and schedule analysis and more when you subscribe on Patreon today. 

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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?

** Photo credit: Maria Lysaker **

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Rice Football 2025 Fall Camp Notebook: Position Battles Brewing

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At a few key positions, the Rice football depth chart remains up in the air. Who’s making their case to be in the two-deep in the secondary and the trenches?

As the team nears the midpoint of fall camp and battles the sweltering heat of Houston, Texas, attitudes and focus remain high. “They continue to bring energy and show up every day,” Rice football head coach Scott Abell said of his team.

Rice Football Preseason Preview: Check out the rest of the series here.

This update digs into impressions up front along the defensive line, some (hopefully) minor injury concerns and a handful of key individual standouts after a team scrimmage period on Friday.

A flurry of moving parts along the line

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2025 Rice Football Opponent Season Preview: UAB

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It’s been tough sledding in Birmingham under Trent Dilfer, thus far. What can Rice Football expect from the Blazers in 2025?

Head Coach: Trent Dilfer
Record at School: 7-17 (2 Yr) | Career FBS Record 7-17 (2 Yr)
Offensive Coordinator: Alex Mortensen | Defensive Coordinator: Steve Russ

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