DeReyon Jenkins Archives

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

There’s a new coordinator at the helm of the Rice Football defense and a mix of new and old faces who will be asked to step into significant roles this coming season. Even with the changes, getting to the passer and creating havoc in the run game will be the marching orders for a front that believes it has enough depth to make a difference.

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

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An enforcer off the edge is the newest member of the 2025 Rice Football recruiting class. Linebacker DeReyon Jenkins has committed to the Owls.

To this point, the 2025 Rice Football recruiting class was rather light on edge players, making finding the right high school pass rushers a priority before National Signing Day. The Owls did just that with this most recent addition, landing a commitment from outside linebacker DeReyon Jenkins.

Jenkins picked up an offer from UCF last year in addition to a handful of FCS programs before opting to stick with Rice Football his senior season. The Owls’ staff and scheme played a significant role in that decision.

“I really love the defensive scheme,” Jenkins told The Roost. “The offense never knows what they do because they line up in different formations and that can really throw off the offense.”

Jenkins also went on to praise Abell individually, calling the Owls’ new head coach “an amazing person to be around” and someone who is “setting a standard in the program.”

A candidate for the rush end spot when he arrives on campus, Jenkins is the second high school pledge in the class from the defensive line, joining St. Vincent de Paul defensive lineman Rob Rooks.

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Jenkins flashes the exact traits you want in a pass rusher on film. He gets to the quarterback, fast and this scheme has a proven track record of finding ways to maximize that kind of ability. He’ll fit in well on South Main.

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