The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class continues to stockpile talented defenders. Lake Ridge linebacker Jayden Cupitt has committed to the Owls.
It’s been quite the week for the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class, with a wave of new additions to the group, including the last three and counting from the defensive ranks. Owls’ defensive coordinator Jon Kay has had plenty to smile about as he pulls in talented players, several of which hail from just down the road. That includes the latest newcomer: Mansfield, TX product Jayden Cupitt from Lake Ridge HS has committed to the Owls.
Rice was in on Cupitt early in the spring, extending him an offer in March. That relationship continued to strengthen as Cupitt began to pick up interest from elsewhere, including a push from Boise State this summer. Ultimately though, Cupitt decided to stay home and play his ball in Houston, picking Rice over interest from Boise State, Liberty, Texas State, Bowling Green, Missouri State and others.
That’s four key additions for the Owls’ defense in the 2026 class now as Cupitt’s pledge comes a day after an announcement from Cy Falls corner James Henderson. The Rice defense also has commitments from defensive lineman Quincy Tchikou and edge JD Singletary.
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Cupitt is a versatile defensive piece, something which jumps out quickly even from just a cursory look from his highlights. He’s quick for a 6-foot-3, 215 pound defender who probably lands at an outside linebacker role at the next level, a position that has proven quite productive in this defense in the past.
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