Colin Leahey Archives

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

The new Rice football offense brings with it new positions. Out are the fullbacks, no longer listed in any capacity on the Owls’ roster. In their place, head coach Scott Abell has introduced the Slot position, a crucial cog in his spread option attack. There’s a lot to unpack with this group that is expected to play a pivotal role for the Owls this season.

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

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** Photo credit: Maria Lysaker **

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The 2025 Rice Football recruiting class just added an offensive weapon from their own back yard. Athlete Colin Leahey has committed to the Owls.

The furious run of impactful high school additions to the 2025 Rice Football recruiting class hasn’t slowed down yet. Days removed from a productive official visit weekend with several new pledges, Rice has added another piece. Versatile offensive playmaker Colin Leahey has committed to the Owls.

At the time of his commitment, Leahey held offers from Air Force, Army and a host of Ivy League programs. He’s one of several new additions in the recent days which have opted for South Main over the likes of the academies and peer academic institutions.

“I love the family atmosphere that Coach Abell and his staff want to bring to the program,” Leahey told The Roost. “Coach Abell and his staff’s knowledge of the game is apparent in the success they’ve had over the years.”

Rice signed a pair of running backs in the early cycle, North Shore’s D’Andre Hardeman and Lake Creek’s Tyvonn Byars. Adding Leahey to the mix, to complement an already strong room, will give Abell plenty of options to tote the rock in his first season on South Main.

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On the field, Leahey profiles as a running back, but he’s versatile enough to split out wide and be used as a receiver as well. The ability to potentially contribute at both spots was part of what made the Owls’ offensive scheme so appealing. He can do so many things with the ball in his hands, something that jumps out immediately when you turn on the film. Regardless of where he lines up, this profiles as a great add for the Owls.

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