Omari Porter Archives

The first signs of a hierarchy within the Rice football defense are beginning to form as the Owls work through the first few weeks of spring ball.

So much focus has, understandably, been given to the Rice football offense as it installs a new scheme under head coach Scott Abell. And while that has been fun to watch and filled with unexpected twists and developments, the relatively smooth deployment of the defensive scheme under first-year DC Jon Kay has begun to crystallize.

More: Spring Practice Notebook 2 — Unpacking the offense and QBs

This update digs into what potential starting roles on defense are nearly secured, which pieces are fighting for meaningful depth spots and a host of other spots still up for grabs as spring progresses.

Early contenders for First Teamers

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The 2025 Rice Football recruiting class added a pair of veteran defensive backs to its roster including former Stanford defensive back Omari Porter.

The growing 2025 Rice Football recruiting class added a lengthy group of spring reinforcements who enrolled in classes this January. Many made public announcements on social media, but not all. One such under-the-radar addition was former Stanford defensive back Omari Porter.

Porter was an active member of the Cardinal secondary for five seasons on The Farm, making his college football debut and made his first tackle in Stanford’s 2020 season opener against Oregon. He would go on to play in 31 games for the program over the span of five seasons, seeing his involvement peak in 2023 when he appeared in 12 games with two starts.

Injuries limited Porter in 2024 before he opted to enter the Transfer Portal and explore opportunities elsewhere. Originally a three-star signee from Auburn, Alabama, Porter played his first few years at Stanford under David Shaw before spending the last two seasons under the leadership of Troy Taylor.

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

Porter has an extensive history playing special teams as well as flexibility on defense. He saw most of his usage at Stanford as a corner before moving to safety for one season. He expected to play corner for Rice. At a bare minimum, he’ll be an asset to Rice football in multiple phases. With so many spots up for grabs in the defensive backfield, Porter will have a chance to quickly come in and compete for playing time.

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