The source for Rice sports news

  • Football
    • Recruiting
    • Offer Tracker
    • Roster
    • Schedule
    • NFL Owls
  • Premium
    • Patreon
    • Season Preview
    • Join / FAQ
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Store
    • News
    • Basketball
    • Baseball
    • About
    • Contact
  • Login

2025 Rice Football Season Preview: Defensive Line

August 20, 2025 By Matthew Bartlett

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

There’s a new coordinator at the helm of the Rice Football defense and a mix of new and old faces who will be asked to step into significant roles this coming season. Even with the changes, getting to the passer and creating havoc in the run game will be the marching orders for a front that believes it has enough depth to make a difference.

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

This piece is part of our 2025 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. Please login to see the full post or visit our Patreon page.
Sorry! This part of content is hidden behind this box because it requires a higher contribution level ($10) at Patreon. Why not take this chance to increase your contribution?

** Photo credit: Maria Lysaker **

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts
  • Rice Football Recruiting: Owls Ready for Big Visit Weekend
  • Rice Football 2025: Houston Game Week Practice Notes
  • Rice Baseball 2025: MLB Owls Update – September 2
  • The Roost Podcast | Ep 210 – 2025 Rice Football upsets Louisiana

Filed Under: Archive, Football, Premium Tagged With: 2025 Rice Football Season Preview, Aquantis Clemmons, Blake Boenisch, Braden Bays, Chris Clark, DeReyon Jenkins, Devon Oliver, Ejike Adele, Elroyal Morris, Ethan Broughman, Joseph Mutombo, Luka Akirtava, Matthew Aribisala, Michael Daley, Rice Football, Rob Rooks

Rice Football Recruiting: DL Luca Akirtava commits to Owls

February 3, 2025 By Matthew Bartlett

One of the finishing touches to the 2025 Rice Football recruiting class is officially on board. Defensive lineman Luca Akirtava has committed to the Owls.

National Signing Day is days and the 2025 Rice Football recruiting class is nearly complete. Before the bulk of the remaining members put pen to paper on Wednesday, though, the Owls have added one more difference maker to their haul. Defensive lineman Luca Akirtava has committed to the Owls.

When head coach Scott Abell arrived on South Main, Akirtava was expected to be available. The Reedy high school product had originally signed with Arkansas State in December before a shakeup in the Red Wolves coaching staff opened the door for Akirtava to explore other options. He seized that chance, reopening his commitment, eventually landing at South Main.

Before he committed, Akirtava piqued the interest of programs across the state, garnering offers from North Texas, Texas State and UTEP as well as out-of-state programs like Arkansas State, UMass, Washington State and others.

The addition of Akirtava gives the Owls a solid base in the defensive trenches. He joins high school signee Rob Rooks as well as transfers Dillan Botts (Mary Hardin-Baylor) and Ejike Adele (Dartmouth).

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

Akirtava is a fun watch on film. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound defender can line up at several spots up and down the line, a level of versatility which will suit him well in the Owls’ defensive scheme. Adding pass rushers like this is always a good call.

Become a Patron!

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts
  • Rice Football Recruiting: Owls Ready for Big Visit Weekend
  • Rice Football 2025: Houston Game Week Practice Notes
  • Rice Baseball 2025: MLB Owls Update – September 2
  • The Roost Podcast | Ep 210 – 2025 Rice Football upsets Louisiana

Filed Under: Archive, Football, Football Recruiting Tagged With: Luka Akirtava, Rice Football, Rice Football recruiting

  1. Item 1
  2. Item 2
  3. Item 3
  4. Item 4
  5. Item 5
  • 2025 Rice Football Season Preview, Rice Football
  • Jack Ben-Shoshan, Rice Baseball
  • Rice Baseball, David Pierce
  • Rice Football
  • “He’s a Bulldog”: Parker Smith’s Journey to Rice Baseball Ace
Become a patron at Patreon!
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter