CJ Witten Archives

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

Once again, the Rice football linebacker room is fully stocked with top-of-the-line talent hindered more by the lack of available starting positions than by a lack of athletes to fill those roles. Sorting out playing time will be the challenge here, but that’s exactly the kind of problem defensive coordinator Jon Kay would prefer to have.

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

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A tackling machine has joined the ranks of the 2025 Rice Football recruiting class. Liberty Christian linebacker CJ Witten has committed to the Owls.

The 2025 Rice football recruiting class heated up in earnest this summer with players attending camp on campus and getting up close and personal with the staff. While that run of recruits has slowed down, the Owls aren’t finished with their upcoming haul just yet, adding another promising playmaker on defense this week. Liberty Christian linebacker CJ Witten has committed to the Owls.

Witten was among the large contingent of players who received offers during the summer months. His came back in late June, one of a half dozen programs to extend him an offer to play at the next level. Ultimately Witten opted for Rice over nearby Lamar and Houston Christian, also spurning the likes of Arkansas State, Army, Navy, UTEP and a few others, opting instead to come to South Main.

The son of former Dallas Cowboys great Jason Witten, CJ has developed into one of the most productive linebackers in the state. As a junior, he surpassed 100 tackles in a 14-game season and scored a pair of touchdowns.

He joins fellow linebacker Ty Thames, who joined the class back in June, to make up a strong tandem in the middle of the field. He’s the 19th commitment in the fold so far, a number that should rise, but should remain very competitive when it comes to earning the last handful of high school spots.

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It only takes a quick glance at the film to see what Witten brings to the fold. He’s explosive, instinctive and powerful. When he gets moving downhill he’s tough to avoid. Rice has put a premium on athleticism at this position in recent years. Witten certainly fits the bill and should be an excellent addition to an already potent linebacking corps.