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Rice Football Recruiting: Breaking Down the 2026 Signees – Defense, Special Teams

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The 2026 Rice Football Recruiting class includes several hand-picked impact players on defense and special teams. Here’s how those sides of the ball stacks up.

The 2026 Rice football recruiting class began with 18 signees during the Early Signing Period, the second recruiting haul for new head coach Scott Abell. Of those players, 16 are current high school seniors, eight play on the offensive side of the ball, plus one specialist.

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“I think we have found some great future Owls who are going to have an impact on our program,” Abell said during his introductory remarks regarding the group.

We’ve gone position by position breaking down each of those new people, dissecting how these Owls will help the program on the field.

* Denotes players who will enroll early in January

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** This piece has been updated to reflect new signees as of 2/5/2025 **
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Rice Football Recruiting: DL Ian Harrell commits to Owls

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Further reinforcements in the trenches are on the way for the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class. Defensive lineman Ian Harrell has committed to the Owls.

Back-to-back defensive line additions has the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class riding high as the Owls keep adding difference makers at premium positions. Even with the fall season fast approaching, Rice football doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Defensive lineman Ian Harrell has committed to the Owls.

Murray State and UT Martin were the most prominent offers Harrell had received in addition to his interest from Rice. Ultimately the Buckhorn, Alabama native opted to head west to Texas and play for the Owls.

Harrell is the fourth commitment to the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class this month. Corner Jordan Mitchell opened August with his pledge. Fellow defensive lineman Tyler Lavallier committed one week to the day of Harrell’s commitment.

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Harrell’s burst and drive make their mark as soon as the tape is turned on. If he gets going downhill with steam, opposing quarterbacks are in trouble. His ability to play multiple positions and his sturdy 6-foot-1, 280-pound frame make for another strong building block up front as the Owls continue to stockpile talent in the trenches.

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