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Rice Football Recruiting: LB Jayden Cupitt commits to Owls

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The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class continues to stockpile talented defenders. Lake Ridge linebacker Jayden Cupitt has committed to the Owls.

It’s been quite the week for the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class, with a wave of new additions to the group, including the last three and counting from the defensive ranks. Owls’ defensive coordinator Jon Kay has had plenty to smile about as he pulls in talented players, several of which hail from just down the road. That includes the latest newcomer: Mansfield, TX product Jayden Cupitt from Lake Ridge HS has committed to the Owls.

Rice was in on Cupitt early in the spring, extending him an offer in March. That relationship continued to strengthen as Cupitt began to pick up interest from elsewhere, including a push from Boise State this summer. Ultimately though, Cupitt decided to stay home and play his ball in Houston, picking Rice over interest from Boise State, Liberty, Texas State, Bowling Green, Missouri State and others.

That’s four key additions for the Owls’ defense in the 2026 class now as Cupitt’s pledge comes a day after an announcement from Cy Falls corner James Henderson. The Rice defense also has commitments from defensive lineman Quincy Tchikou and edge JD Singletary.

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Cupitt is a versatile defensive piece, something which jumps out quickly even from just a cursory look from his highlights. He’s quick for a 6-foot-3, 215 pound defender who probably lands at an outside linebacker role at the next level, a position that has proven quite productive in this defense in the past.

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Rice Football Recruiting: CB James Henderson commits to Owls

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The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class didn’t have to go far to add a difference maker in the secondary. Cy Falls corner back James Henderson has committed to the Owls.

Even in today’s ever-changing recruiting environment, getting players to campus remains a crucial piece of the process. The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class set itself up for success with a series of important camps and official visits over the last few weekends. Once such attendee saw enough to make a pledge. James Henderson has committed to the Owls.

Landing a commitment from Henderson represents a massive win for Rice football on the recruiting trail. Henderson’s offer list sat at 29 programs at the time of his decision. Henderson spurned offers from Michigan State, Oklahoma State and Wake Forest, just to name a few. Instead of head out of state, Henderson is staying home and will be a building block for an already robust 2026 class.

Henderson is just the third defensive addition to the class so far, which has skewed more heavily toward offensive players in terms of commitments in the first few months. On the other side of the ball, Henderson joins pass rushers Quincy Tchikou from Cy Ranch and JD Singletary from Middletown (OH).

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Why so many programs were in on Henderson from the start becomes readily apparent when you turn on the tape. The long, 6-foot-2 corner can win on an island and reads the ball well in the air. And, just as important, he has the athleticism to do something with the ball when he gets it.

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Rice Baseball 2025: MLB Owls Update – Jun 18

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The 2025 MLB season is underway and Rice baseball alums are making the most of their time in The Show. Here’s the latest from the MLB Owls.

Dane Myers – Miami Marlins

Game after game, Myers’ incredible season just keeps getting better and better. He’s moved well past a strong month and good fortune and has become a force for the Marlins on both sides of the ball. For one, he’s one of the most consistent hitters in the sport right now:

And if that wasn’t enough, he’s playing Gold Glove caliber defense in center field too:

What began as a feel-good story is a deserving case for an All Star bid. A gentle reminder, you can vote for him up to five times a day using this link. Fun fact: Juan Soto has a .861 OPS. Myers’ is at .862.

Through June 18, Myers is hitting .333 with 11 extra-base hits, eight walks and 32 strikeouts. His OPS is .862 and he’s collected 18 RBI.

Injured List

Anthony Rendon – Los Angeles Angels

Rendon is slated to miss a significant amount of time following him surgery this spring. The bad news is another bump in an injury-plagued stint with the Angels; Rendon missed a chunk of last season with an oblique strain.

Matt Canterino – Twins AAA

Canterino was thought to have a real chance to crack the big league roster at some point this season, converting himself to a reliver this offseason in hopes of limiting the stress on his arm and preserving his health. Unfortunately, he’s set to miss a third consecutive season, undergoing shoulder surgery in early March. The Twins since released him and signed him to a minor league contract while he rehabs.

Knocking on the Door

The following Owls began the season in AAA:

  • Tristan Gray – Charlotte Knights (White Sox)
  • Evan Kravetz – Louisville Bats (Reds)
  • Glenn Otto – Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Astros)
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Hope for Little Guys: Lessons from a Coastal Carolina baseball Omaha run

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Rice Baseball was an Omaha regular not that long ago. Now, another blue-clad, small school program is there to bring hope to those outside the big leagues.

A small university outside of the so-called “power” leagues is heading to the College World Series Championship Game. In an ever-changing collegiate landscape dominated by the biggest brands with the biggest wallets, a blue-tinted, avian-endorsed program looks every bit like the juggernauts from the SEC, ACC and elsewhere it’s gone through to this point, despite having an enrollment right around 10,000 students.

The year? 2025. The school? Coastal Carolina. But if you squint just a little bit, the not-so-Cinderella run of the Chanticleers mirrors another program readers of this site might have more familiarity with: Rice baseball.

If there was ever a doubt that a small school can hire great coaches and build a team with enough talent to contend for a national championship in college baseball — and to do so on a recurring basis — The Chanticleers should serve as a proof that the dream is vey much so still alive.

Unlike these teal-colored birds, the darker hued Owls were fixtures in the College World Series, making seven appearances in Omaha from 1997 to 2008, winning the national championship in 2003. Coastal Carolina, by comparison, made one appearance in 2016 — when they took home the title — before making a return trip this year where they await an SEC foe.

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In a world dominated by gaudy NIL budgets, superstars and 10,000 seat stadiums, schools like Coastal Carolina (and Rice) have proven it can be done. But it takes investment, recruiting, talent retention and even a little bit of luck. Coastal wouldn’t have ripped off 26 consecutive victories without some good fortune. It’s a hard recipe to master, but it’s possible.

While Rice baseball didn’t make the trip to Omaha this year, Owl fans might want to tune in to the championship anyhow. The Chanticleers are there to offer up some hope that the glory days might yet have some life in them still.

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Rice Baseball: 2025 Summer Ball mid-June update

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Rice baseball players scattered across the country for Summer Ball leagues. Here’s how each has performed so far this offseason.

Pitchers

Three Rice baseball pitchers will be teammates this summer. Micah Davis, Nolan Roycraft and Caleb Williams are all playing for the Wilmington Sharks. None of the pitchers boast outstanding stat lines at the moment, but keep in mind the summer is the perfect laboratory to test out different approaches and pitches. A 0.00 ERA is nice, but not necessarily the ultimate goal for a successful summer.

Pitching Stats

Hitters

Robson is off to the hottest start of the Owls at the plate so far this summer, hitting .263 across 14 games with the Kelowna Falcons. Five walks along the way have his OPS up to .333, something worth monitoring for a player who eased up toward the leadoff position at the tail end of the Rice baseball regular season with his speed. Motley and Eldridge are each off to more modest starts, although Eldridge has showcased some power with four extra base hits in 11 games including two dingers.

Hitting Stats

In Case You Missed It

Follow all the latest updates with Rice baseball alums in the big leagues and periodic minor league updates on the Baseball page. For our Patreon subscribers, be sure to check out the 2025 Rice Baseball Season Reviews of the Starting Pitching as well as the bullpen and the lineup. There’s also an update on where the Owls stand in the Transfer Portal.

If you have any additional information to share regarding other Rice baseball players in action this summer, contact us here.

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