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Former Temple QB EJ Warner commits to Rice Football

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Following multiple record-setting seasons at Temple, quarterback EJ Warner has committed to transfer to Rice Football.

For the second straight season, Rice football has made a splash in the Transfer Portal at the spot head coach Mike Bloomgren often refers to as “the most important position in sports”: quarterback.

Last winter it was JT Daniels, whom Bloomgren had recruited from the eighth grade before finally landing as a grad transfer. This year it comes in the form of a transfer from within the AAC. Former Temple quarterback EJ Warner has committed to the Owls.

Warner, the son of former NFL MVP and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, will have multiple seasons of eligibility remaining when he arrives at South Main. He’ll bring with him a resume already overflowing with passing records.

As a true freshman in 2022, Warner completed 45-of-63 passes for 527 yards and five touchdowns against ECU, setting the high water mark for passing yardage in a game in the FBS that season. By the conclusion of the 2023 season, he’d set the program record for 400-yard passing games (3) and completed more passes in a single game (42) than any other player in the FBS that season.

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Warner was a preseason nominee for the Maxwell Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm watchlists. He then proceeded to lead the AAC in passing yards per game. Now he leaving the Temple Owls for the Rice Owls. This is a massive addition and a slam dunk get for Rice and one that could secure them a surefire answer at the position for at least the next two years.

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Rice Football Recruiting: 2024 Early Signing Period Live Blog

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The majority of the 2024 Rice Football Recruiting class will become signees during the Early Signing Period. Follow all the action here.

It’s a smaller group, but the 2024 Rice Football recruiting class should still pack a pretty hefty punch. Rice has a balanced collection of talented high school players and a few handpicked transfer additions to supplement a roster that did not lose a single active player to the Portal this offseason. That’s part of the reason for the small class. There are only so many spots to go around.

This live tracker will follow all the latest news and updates throughout the day, with some notes along the way on the class as it is finalized. If you’re not a subscriber yet, here’s your chance.

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Which newcomers will make sizable impacts as soon as they arrive on campus like JT Daniels, Coleman Coco and others did this past fall? This class has plenty of talent that could find its way to the field soon.

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Now, let’s dig into the latest from the Early Signing Period, below.

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Rice Football 2023: Texas State presser quotes and Bowl depth chart

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Next up for Rice football: the SERVPRO First Responders Bowl vs Texas State. Here’s what Mike Bloomgren had to say about the matchup and a few depth chart notes.

Head coach Mike Bloomgren and a set of players met with the media for their customary weekly availability. They recapped the past few weeks of practice and looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with Texas State in the SERVPRO First Responders Bowl.

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We touch on those items, then dig into the Rice football depth chart and what the team looks like heading into the weekend. First, the quotes:

Press Conference Quotes

“We understand it’s a business trip. We also understand it’s a reward for our players that they’ve earned. There’s some great events they have planned. Look forward to partaking in those as well as continuing into practice and get ready for this game when we get there. Being back in a bowl for the second year in a row is a big deal for the continued growth of our program…

I just believe it’s what coach Bowden used to say. It’s how good teams get great and it’s how great teams become elite and we’re somewhere in the middle of that, fighting become a really consistent group that’s enjoying every single practice we get out there.”– Mike Bloomgren on the current state of the program

“They’re a lot like South Florida and Tennessee with the tempo that they incorporate so they’re going to try to have the tempo be a factor in their offensive production but also the they’re like them in terms of spreading you out sideline to sideline and they’ve got a really, really good running back that’s playing good football. They’ve got a great players over there along with a very good scheme that I think GJ [Kinne] knows how to execute very well.” – Mike Bloomgren on the Texas State offense

“Defensively coach [Jonathan] Patke is doing a lot of Manny Diaz type stuff with those transfers, got them playing together. Seems like they’re very much on the same page of what to do. They understand where to fit in their defense. And so they’re kind of making things hard on people in terms of just making you earn it to some degree. When they do that, when they can keep you behind the sticks and get you behind the sticks and make you go on a 10 or a 12 play drive, that’s always hard for an offense.” – Mike Bloomgren on the Texas State defense

“It’s huge. Any extra preparation, you’re going to take it. It’s all about how you use that time and I’m really trying my best to be prepared for these guys and be able to go out there in practice and lead them,  get them in the right stuff, make sure we’re running the play correctly and ultimately go out and execute as effiecntly as possible All that extra time is pivotal.” – Quarterback AJ Padgett on the benefits of extra bowl practices 

“The vibe is great. Everyone’s excited for this. Even just having this opportunity to get these 15 paracitces in, to get another game with this group… it’s really just a blessing. We’re just appeciiating every day of it, every rep of it, every second of it.” – Defensive end Josh Pearcy on the atmosphere around the program right now

“He’s good at getting the ball out to his weapons. He’s good at keeping his eyes down field. Most guys, when they see pressure, they want to take off and run but where he sets himself apart, he remains a passer when he sees his pressure. He’s good at keeping his eyes down field, throwing that check down when he needs to, getting the ball out to his weapons when he has to. At the end of the day, we’ll be ready for him.” ” – Defensive end Josh Pearcy on Texas State quarterback TJ Finley

Depth Chart

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Depth Chart Notes

Tight end Jack Bradley, who missed the final two games of the regular season, was put back on the postseason depth chart, for now, but head coach Mike Bloomgren mentioned in his media availability his status for the game had yet to be determined.

The uncertainty surrounding Bradley, who wasn’t listed on the FAU depth chart at all, as well as the removal of quarterback JT Daniels are the only significant modifications from the depth chart Rice published in their regular season finale against FAU. Daniels, who has since medically retired, was not available in that game either.

The remainder of the depth chart looks as expected without any major surprises. That is in part because of the remarkable roster consistency the Owls have experienced since the Transfer Portal opened, something we wrote heavily about last week. You can read those notes, as well as upcoming Early Signing Period reactions and further bowl practice notes when you subscribe on Patreon.

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Rice Football 2023: NFL Owls Week 15 Roundup

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Rice Football is well represented on 2023 NFL rosters. Here’s the latest from the NFL Owls in action in Week 15.

There are former Rice football players scattered across the NFL. Stay tuned each week for their game results and notables from each player.

Team NFL Owl(s) This Week Result Next Week
Denver Broncos Elijah Garcia (DL) at Lions (Sat) L,42-17 vs Patriots (SNF)
Detroit Lions Jack Fox (P) vs Broncos (Sat) W, 42-17 at Vikings
Indianapolis Colts Kylen Granson (TE) vs Steelers (Sat) W, 30-13 at Falcons
Los Angeles Rams Austin Trammell (WR) vs Commanders W, 28-20 vs Saints (TNF)
New England Patriots Calvin Anderson (OL) vs Chiefs L, 27-17 at Broncos (SNF)
Pittsburgh Steelers Chris Boswell (PK) at Colts (Sat) L, 30-13 at Bengals (Sat)
Seattle Seahawks Myles Adams (DL) vs Eagles (MNF) W, 20-17 at Titans
Tampa Bay Bucs Nick Leverett (OL) at Packers W, 34-20 vs Jaguars

Offense

Calvin Anderson – OT, Patriots

Anderson was active but did not play in the Patriots’ Week 15 game against the Chiefs.

Kylen Granson – TE, Colts

Granson was targeted once on Saturday against the Steelers, hauling in the only ball thrown his way for six yards.

Nick Leverett – OT, Buccaneers

Leverett was active but did not play in the Bucs’ Week 15 game against the Packers.

Austin Trammell – WR, Rams

Trammell was quiet in the Rams’ Week 15 game against the Commanders, returning one punt for four yards and getting on the field for at least one offensive snap for the 10th consecutive game.

Defense

Myles Adams – DL, Seahawks

Adams was inactive for the Seahawks’ Week 15 game against the Eagles on Monday Night Football.

Elijah Garcia – DL, Broncos

Garcia was inactive for the Broncos’ Week 15 game against the Lions.

Special Teams

Jack Fox – P, Lions

Fox punted four times, but not often in high-leverage situations. He booted a long punt of 48 yards and put one inside the 20 in a blowout win.

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

Boswell missed an extra point this weekend, his first point after failed this season. He made his other PAT attempt and did not attempt a field goal against the Colts.

More Owls in the NFL

From practice squads to current free agents, there are other Owls on the cusp of returning to active rosters. Find more detail on current contractual agreements and former Rice football players waiting for their next opportunity here.

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Rice Football Recruiting: BYU LB Michael Daley commits to Owls

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The 2024 Rice Football recruiting class scooped up a veteran addition on defense. BYU linebacker Michael Daley has committed to the Owls.

A day removed from adding some firepower on the offensive side of the ball, the 2024 Rice football recruiting class picked up its first defensive addition from the transfer portal. The Owls have picked up a commitment from former BYU linebacker / defensive end Michael Daley, who will play rush end when he arrives at South Main.

Formerly a three-star recruit at the time he committed to BYU as a member of the 2019 class, Daley is a Houston native who was played sparingly during his time with the Cougars, appearing in five games in 2023 after missing the entire 2022 season with an injury. He’s excited for the opportunity to get back onto the field in earnest at South Main.

“I knew there was something special there,” Daley told The Roost about his impressions of Rice football following his visit. “I know I want to be a part of a team that plays for each other week in and week out.”

Daley is the third transfer commitment Rice has received in the past week leading up to the Early Signing Period. Former Penn State punter Alex Vacchetta and Bucknell running back Coleman Bennett are also joining the Owls this offseason.

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There isn’t a lot of film on Daley from his collegiate tape, mostly operating as a depth piece while at BYU. He has a good frame (6-foot-3, 225 pounds) and should slide in well to a room that might be able to return several key pieces. If not, having some veterans in the fold like Daley should give the room a boost in the spring as the younger players get their feet wet and Daley has his chance to show what he brings to the table.

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