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Rice Football Recruiting: DT Gentle Hunt commits to Owls

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The latest win on the Rice football recruiting front, Florida A&M defensive lineman Gentle Hunt has committed to the Owls for his final season of eligibility.

The bulk of the incoming Rice football recruiting class was on board before spring practices, but a few scholarships were left to fill. Getting a veteran defensive tackle was near the top of the priority list when it came to assigning those last few spots. The Owls did just that with their newest addition. Per a report from 247’s Mark Zenitz, Florida A&M transfer defensive tackle Gentle Hunt has committed to the Owls.

A 5-foot-11, 290-pound Florida native, Hunt was in high demand as soon as he made the decision to enter the portal. Reports circled of his name in connection to several Power 5 programs, including the Owls’ crosstown rivals in the Big 12. After taking a few weeks to mull things over, though, the multi-time All-SWAC honoree opted for Rice.

Hunt brings a padded stat sheet with him to South Main. He amassed 89 tackles, 24 tackles for a loss and 11.5 sacks in three seasons with FAMU, including 11 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks last season. He can slide right into the interior spot on the defensive line vacated by De’Braylon Carroll, who transferred this past offseason and compete with Blake Boenisch and Izeya Floyd for starting reps. Regardless of who wins the job, Hunt’s presence provides critical depth up front.

Hunt is the second impact player the defense has added in this post-spring portal cycle. Former Utah corner Faybian Marks committed last week. Both players should compete for significant playing time when fall camp arrives, bolstering a defensive roster that was already shaping up to be one of the better units in the AAC.

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Hunt is a disruptor that will set up shop in the middle of the Owls’ defensive line. He’s a gifted athlete who looks more than ready to make the step up into the FBS ranks. And while he’s being brought in for his prowess at the line of scrimmage, he’s the kind of playmaker who won’t be limited to just one portion of the field. Look no further than this touchdown return he scored against Bethune-Cookman.

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Rice Football Recruiting: CB Faybian Marks commits to Owls

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One of the final touches of an already strong 2024 Rice Football recruiting class, Utah corner Faybian Marks has committed to the Owls.

Finding reinforcements at the corner position was one of the top priorities for Rice football recruiting following spring practices. After taking a few weeks to assess the mark, the Owls have zeroed in on their man and landed a commitment from former Utah corner Faybian Marks,

Marks is originally a class of 2020 player from Richmond, Texas who picked the Utes over offers from Baylor, Kansas State, Kansas, Washington State and others. He saw action immediately upon his arrival in Salt Lake, appearing in 32 games across four seasons with the Utes, including seven starts.

Injuries suffered midway through the 2021 season seemed to hamper his ascent. He spent most of the last two seasons operating as a reserve and playing special teams but still possesses a skillset that makes him an intriguing add for the Owls.

Marks told The Roost the Owls’ culture and environment are what set Rice football apart saying it “just felt like I was apart of the family as soon as I got there.”

He’ll add competition to a corner room that is relatively unproven at the FBS level outside of returning starter Sean Fresch. Max Ahoia had played well at the other corner spot through the spring, but even if the staff believes in Ahoia it was always going to be prudent to get another playmaker in that room.

At a minimum, one of the two becomes quality depth with the upside that either Marks or Ahoia becomes a true difference maker. Regardless of the outcome, adding a player of Marks’ resume to the fold is a definite win.

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On the field, Rice is getting a seasoned veteran with plenty of in-game experience. Marks prides himself on his speed and physicality, two things that show up in his highlights. He’s a willing tackle and has the speed to stay step for step with receivers on the outside. The George Ranch High School native returns to Texas with the intent of making plays on the field. He’ll be an interesting name to follow during camp as he battles with Ahoia for playing time.

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Rice Football Recruiting: OL Cole Principe commits to Owls

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The first offensive line pledge of the 2025 Rice Football recruiting class is on the board. Cole Principe has committed to the Owls.

Since head coach Mike Bloomgren arrived at South Main building from the trenches up has been a theme of every Rice football recruiting class. The 2025 group is no expectation. That’s why it comes as no surprise that one of the first pledges of the upcoming class will put his hand in the dirt and be ready to protect. Orange Lutheran offensive lineman Cole Principe has committed to the Owls.

The Owls were one of the first to offer Principe, who also held offers from Air Force and Cornell before making his decision to commit to Rice. “After my visit, I knew it was where I wanted to be,” Principe told The Roost.

Principe’s time on campus was impactful. He got a better appreciation for the Owls’ offensive scheme in his time sitting in on meetings and enjoyed his conversations with the coaching staff. All in all, the atmosphere around the program proved to be one he wanted to join.

“I love to win,” he said. “I am excited to be a part of a program who has been on an upward trajectory of winning and I hope to help take it to the next level.

As it stands, Principe is the third commitment of the 2025 class and the second to make their pledge official in the month of April. North Shore running back D’Andre Hardeman committed two weeks ago. Prior to their additions, Madison Prep (LA) athlete Semaj Pierre had been the lone commitment, dating back to November 2023.

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The 6-foot-3, 285-pound Principe is a people mover with experience at both guard and tackle. His film shows good balance and quickness off the ball, both things that will help him tremendously at the collegiate level. Principe frame and athleticism are exciting, making him a great bet to be a productive player at the next level.

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Rice Football Recruiting: Georgia transfer OL Chad Lindberg commits to Owls

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The first big Rice football recruiting pickup of the post-spring Transfer Portal cycle is in. Former Georgia offensive lineman Chad Lindberg has committed to the Owls.

An offensive line coach at heart, head coach Mike Bloomgren would be hard-pressed to ever say he has enough offensive linemen. Days removed from a spring game that featured a productive, but injury-plagued front line, reinforcements are coming. Former Georgia offensive lineman Chad Lindberg has committed to the Owls, the latest victory for the Rice football recruiting department.

A former four-star recruit from League City, Texas, Lindberg was a hot commodity in the 2020 recruiting cycle, ultimately choosing Georgia over Texas. After redshirting with the Bulldogs in 2020, he appeared in 22 games over the next three seasons, operating primarily as a backup and special teams member. Because of the frequency of how often Georgia steamrolled its opponents, though, Lindberg saw a fair amount of action.

Lindberg also marks the second straight season Rice has landed an offensive line transfer from the Power 5 ranks. Nebraska transfer Brant Branks started all 13 games for the Owls at left guard last season. He had been slated to transition to right tackle this spring and played well, but Lindberg’s addition might cause further shuffling on the Owls’ front five.

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Lindberg is a tackle by trade but should have the flexibility to kick inside if that’s how Rice opts to find their best five at the position. More than anything else, this move solidifies the Owls’ depth at the position, giving them at least two starting caliber options at every position, something this staff has been dreaming about since they arrived at South Main and a luxury among the Group of 5 ranks. Lindberg has two years of eligibility remaining.

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Rice Football Recruiting: RB D’Andre Hardeman commits to Owls

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The 2025 Rice Football recruiting class has doubled in size, adding its second commitment in the form of North Shore running back D’Andre Hardeman.

A highly attended spring game has paid its first dividend. Days removed from dozens of high school players descending on South Main, the 2025 Rice Football recruiting class has added another piece. North Shore running back D’Andre Hardeman has committed to the Owls.

When he arrives at Rice, Hardeman will join up with teammate and current Rice signee Lavonte Johnson, who signed with the Owls on National Signing Day. Both players were offered on the same day in late January. Now both will suit up for the Blue and Gray. There’s also the notable link between Rice linebackers coach Jon Kay, who came to Rice last season after a successful coaching career at North Shore.

Hardeman, the son of former Texas A&M running back Tiki Hardeman, was by no means flying under the radar since then. The Owls were one of almost a dozen offers he received. He eventually picked Rice over offers from UTSA, UTEP, Arkansas State, UTEP and others.

The 2025 Rice Football recruiting class now consists of Hardeman and Madison Prep (LA) athlete Semaj Pierre, who was the first to pledge to the Owls in this cycle, doing so back in the summer of 2023.

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The 5-foot-8, 180-pound runner put up video game numbers on one of the best teams in the state of Texas, tallying 1,709 yards and 22 touchdowns last season alone and the film matches the boxscore. He’s an explosive runner with great vision, showcasing the patience to make the right cut and quickly climbing to the second level. He’ll be set to flourish in the Owls’ offensive scheme.

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