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Rice Football 2025 Spring Practice Notebook 3: Defense takes shape

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The first signs of a hierarchy within the Rice football defense are beginning to form as the Owls work through the first few weeks of spring ball.

So much focus has, understandably, been given to the Rice football offense as it installs a new scheme under head coach Scott Abell. And while that has been fun to watch and filled with unexpected twists and developments, the relatively smooth deployment of the defensive scheme under first-year DC Jon Kay has begun to crystallize.

More: Spring Practice Notebook 2 — Unpacking the offense and QBs

This update digs into what potential starting roles on defense are nearly secured, which pieces are fighting for meaningful depth spots and a host of other spots still up for grabs as spring progresses.

Early contenders for First Teamers

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Rice Football 2024: Bye Week 2 Practice Report

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Rice football has two games left in the regular season and UAB is next on the docket. Here’s what we learned from the Owls at practice this week.

After a lighter week of work on the practice field last week, Rice football returned to work in earnest this week following the bye. A relatively healthy group, all things considered, should be close to full strength for this final two-game set of the regular season. Here’s where the team stands prior to the UAB game this weekend.

More: Rice Football Head Coaching Search — Names to Know ($)
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Offensive line opportunity

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Rice Football 2024: Houston Game Week Practice Report

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Rice football takes on Houston with eyes on keeping the Bayou Bucket on South Main. Here’s what we learned from the Owls at practice this week.

Rivalry week is the best week. For Rice football, that means it’s time to battle for the Bayou Bucket against the University of Houston across town. How much does this game mean to the Owls? Veteran corner Sean Fresch, who will make his fourth start in this rivalry series on Saturday, tried to put it into words.

“I’m excited. It’s always fun to play against these guys. We don’t like them. They don’t like us. But I’m pretty sure we don’t like them a little more,” he said. I love getting to this week because all the guys are fired up, not like we don’t every week, but this week is just different, rivalry week.”

Here’s more on the game, some injury news on the Rice front and news from the practice field.

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For those checking in for the first time, or those returning, a quick programming note. Special features like this are reserved for our subscribers. Have questions? You can get those answered in our monthly Q&As and get access to all practice notes, recruiting updates and features like this one when you subscribe on Patreon today.

Depth chart check

Scheduling was tight this week with Bayou Bucket activities, so there was no formal press conference. I was able to get the depth chart, though, and there are a few changes this week from the initial depth chart which Rice football has kept consistent through each of the first two games.

Rice Football, depth chart

On offense, Chad Lindberg is listed as the starting left guard, a position he held last week but has now been formalized. On defense, Plae Wyatt has been taken off the two-deep. Marcus Williams and Peyton Stevenson move up the depth chart behind him. The only other change on defense is Andrew Awe moving in front of DJ Arkansas as the Owls’ starting Mike linebacker.

Enoch Gota, who handled all placekicking duties against Texas Southern, has been moved to the top of the depth chart above Tim Horn. While there is still an OR designation, Gota is expected to be the starter against Houston. There are no other official changes, but player availability might impact how the Owls take the field on Saturday.

Stepping In

Safety Plae Wyatt announced on social media this week he would miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, an injury he suffered in the loss against Sam Houston in Week 1. The leading tackler for the Owls last season, Wyatt’s loss is a big one for this defense. If there’s any consolation, it’s that the next man up, Marcus Williams, is far from an unknown commodity.

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2024 Rice Football Season Preview: Linebacker

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Next up in our 2024 Rice Football Season Preview: linebacker. Here’s our breakdown of the Owls’ plans for the group this season.

A room flush with talent and limited spots on the field, Rice football has an embarrassment of riches at the linebacker position. Led by returning captain Myron Morrison, this room is going to be fascinating to watch grow as up-and-coming players work to make their mark on the defense.

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

This piece is part of our 2024 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 2024 Season Preview: Roster Grid

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Rice football has a 121-man roster entering the 2024 season. From position changes to eligibility remaining, this chart will help keep everything in order.

Keeping track of eligibility and positions can be challenging and there wasn’t one single source that had the most up-to-date information — now there is. In addition to the roster tracker and as a complement to the roster, which has been updated to account for all the final additions and changes with the start of camp, this grid tracks every Rice football player by position and classification. Position changes from last season and/or the spring are also detailed below.

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

This piece is part of our 2024 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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