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Rice Football 2025 Spring Practice Notebook 3: Defense takes shape

March 26, 2025 By Matthew Bartlett

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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2024 Rice Football Season Preview: Defensive Line

August 14, 2024 By Matthew Bartlett

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

The defensive line has been a solid unit since head coach Mike Bloomgren arrived. Rice football has fielded several all-conference caliber players in the trenches, building on the consistency of having the same position coach, Cedric Calhoun, and same defensive coordinator, Brian Smith, for that entire time period. Armed with that consistency and the right mix of home grown talent and impactful transfers, there are high expectations for the unit this fall.

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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Recent Posts

  • Rice Baseball blows past PVAMU at home
  • Rice Football Recruiting: WR David Kasemervisz commits to Owls
  • Hickson gem propels Rice Baseball to series win over Charlotte
  • Rice Football Recruiting: WR Artis Cole commits to Owls

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Rice Football 2024 Season Preview: Roster Grid

August 7, 2024 By Matthew Bartlett

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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Recent Posts

  • Rice Baseball blows past PVAMU at home
  • Rice Football Recruiting: WR David Kasemervisz commits to Owls
  • Hickson gem propels Rice Baseball to series win over Charlotte
  • Rice Football Recruiting: WR Artis Cole commits to Owls

Filed Under: Archive, Football, Premium Tagged With: 2024 Rice Football Season Preview, AJ Padgett, AJ Stephens, Alex Bacchetta, Alex Scherle, Andrew Awe, Aquantis Clemmons, Ashton Ojiaku, Bailey Fletcher, Beau Barton, Blaise Tita, Blake Boenisch, Boden Groen, Brad Baur, Brant Banks, Braylen Walker, Chad Lindberg, Chali Taylor, Charlie Looes, Chase Jenkins, Chibby Nwajuaku, Chike Anigbogu, Chris Bruce, Chris Clark, Chris conti, Christian Edgar, Christian Francisco, Colby Connell, Coleman Bennett, Colin Giffen, Conor Hunt, Cooper King, Cullen Witt, Daelen Alexander, Daveon Hook, David Stickle, Dean Connors, DeMone Green, DJ Arkansas, Drayden Dickmann, Drew Devillier, EJ Warner, Elijah Mojarro, Elroyal Morris, Enoch Gota, Ephraim Dotson, Ethan Broughman, Ethan Onianwa, Ethan Powell, Faybian Marks, Gabe Taylor, Geron Hargon, Graham Walker, Isaiah Gonzalez, Izeya Floyd, Jabari Ellison, Jabari McAlmont, Jackson Ranucci, Jaggar Hebeisen, Jake Dragoo, Jalen Hargrove, Jamarion Clark, James Falk, Jeremiah Williams, John Long, Jojo Jean, Jordan Campbell, Joseph Mutombo, Josh Pearcy, Joshua Williams, Jovoni Johnson, Justin Williams, Kaleb Blanton, Kenny Seymour, Kobie Campbell, Lamont Narcisse, Landon Ransom, Lane Jeffcoat, Larry DeBose, LaVonte Johnson, Luke Miller, Luke Needham, Marcus Williams, Matt Hall, Matt Sykes, Max Ahoia, Micah Barnett, Michael Amico, Michael Daley, Michael Larbie, Miguel Cedeno, Moh Bility, Myron Morrison, Nate Bledsoe, Netane Fehoko, Owen Carter, Patrick Valent, Peyton Farmer, Peyton Stevenson, Plae Wyatt, Quinton Jackson, Rawson MacNeill, Reese Keeney, Rhys Phillips, Rice Football, Ryan Guillo, Sean Fresch, Shawn Irwin, Shawqi Itraish, Shepherd Bowling, Spencer Cassell, Taji Atkins, Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman, Tim Horn, trace norfleet, Trey Kibbles, Ty Morris, Tyler Day, Tyson Flowers, Tyson Thompson, Weston Kropp, wyatt freeman

Rice Football 2023 Season Preview: Roster Grid

August 9, 2023 By Matthew Bartlett

Rice football has a 113-man roster entering the 2023 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 2023 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. 

Subscriber content.<br /> Please login to see the full post or visit our Patreon page.

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Recent Posts

  • Rice Baseball blows past PVAMU at home
  • Rice Football Recruiting: WR David Kasemervisz commits to Owls
  • Hickson gem propels Rice Baseball to series win over Charlotte
  • Rice Football Recruiting: WR Artis Cole commits to Owls

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2023 Rice Football Season Preview: Linebacker

July 22, 2023 By Matthew Bartlett

Next up in our 2023 Rice Football Season Preview: linebacker. Let’s dive into the position and break down the Owls’ plans for the group this year.

It took some time to get there, but Rice football found some stability at linebacker in 2022, replacing the electric duo of Blaze Alldredge and Antonio Montero without any significant hiccups. Added experience will only help with a room that is largely less proven at the collegiate level on the whole. Here’s how the position looks in 2023.

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

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Breaking down the Linebacker position

The linebacker room has been a hodge-podge of personnel on the player side and the coaching side over the last few seasons. That carousel continued on the coaching side this offseason with the hiring of former North Shore head coach Jon Kay to coach linebackers.

Kay was overwhelmingly energetic in the spring, gushing about the opportunity to get back to the X’s and O’s and dig into the daily grind that comes with being responsible for a single position rather than an entire program. Kay’s football intellect comes highly regarded. Rice is hopeful that translates into an equally large effect on the linebacker room.

As for the scheme, Rice will stick with its two-backer approach they’ve operated under almost exclusively under defensive coordinator Brian Smith. Joshua Pearcy might line up alongside them with his hand out of the dirt, but for the most part, Rice will trust a tandem to do most of the dirty work in the middle.

The frequency of those starters rotating out will depend on a host of intriguing — albeit less proven — options behind them.

Projected Starters – Chris Conti, Myron Morrison

Chris Conti led the team in tackles last season with 75. Myron Morrison was right on his heels, notching 73 himself, with Morrison missing two games along the way. That duo enters the 2023 season as the odds-on favorite to retain their starting jobs, although they’ll be pushed by a few younger names, particularly in the later portions of the season.

For the time being, though, it’s worth noting what Conti was able to achieve in his first year at South Main. He learned the defense in the fall and was the opening day starter against USC, starting 12 of the Owls’ 13 games last season. Having another offseason to internalize the scheme should help boost his reaction time and make him even more effective in the open field.

As for Morrison, his work away from the ball was almost as impressive as what he did in the box. He finished the season with three pass breakups, fourth on the team and the highest of any player that did not primarily operate in the secondary. He also had two interceptions, which tied with Gabe Taylor for the team lead. He was an extremely versatile piece, something the Owls need in this particular defense.

Rest of the Room

Andrew Awe was an indispensable, unsung hero in the Rice football program last season. He started one game for the Owls and appeared in all 13 contests in some capacity, one of just 10 defensive players to do so and more than a couple of starters. He played special teams and was part of the defensive rotation. Expect him to be that key reserve again this year.

Next up are two intriguing redshirt sophomores. Kenny Seymour worked his way up the ladder last fall and has put himself under consideration for some rotation snaps this season.

Seymour’s classmate DJ Arkansas has spent less time on the field, although not by his choice. Injuries have hampered his opportunities, but his athleticism is unquestioned. If anyone is going to rise up and claim a starting spot midseason among the non-freshman players already on the roster, Arkansas might be the best bet.

Player to Watch

Of all the incoming freshmen on defense, Ty Morris might be the most highly anticipated new arrival. He converted from safety to linebacker in high school and is expected to slide into that role closer to the line of scrimmage at the next level.

The staff has raved about his ability and multiple occasions and it’ll be exciting to see him get on the grass when fall camp arrives. Breaking the starting lineup as a freshman at Rice is difficult, but not impossible. The linebacker core has less obvious gaps up top, making the task a bit more challenging for Morris.



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Recent Posts

  • Rice Baseball blows past PVAMU at home
  • Rice Football Recruiting: WR David Kasemervisz commits to Owls
  • Hickson gem propels Rice Baseball to series win over Charlotte
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Filed Under: Archive, Football, Premium, Reserve Tagged With: 2023 Rice Football Season Preview, Andrew Awe, Chris conti, DJ Arkansas, Kenny Seymour, Myron Morrison, Rice Football, Ty Morris

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