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Rice Football Recruiting: CB Zach Cody commits to Owls

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The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class has landed its first defensive addition from the Transfer Portal. Former Coastal Carolina corner Zach Cody has committed to the Owls.

The rush of player movement reached its peak on January 2, when the Transfer Portal formally opened for current college players. Staffs across the country combed through thousands of options, landing on whom they hope will be the right pieces to complete their already existing high school hauls. The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class was no different, landing its first new faces on Tuesday. Former Coastal Carolina corner Zach Cody has committed to the Owls.

A product of Coppell High School, Cody returns home to Texas after signing with Coastal Carolina in 2024. He played in all 12 games as a true freshman with the Chants, tallying 15 tackles. He would appear in three contests this season before redshirting and entering the portal, eventually leading him to Rice.

Cody is the second D1 transfer to join the class, with the news of his addition coming not long after Rice Football announced the signing of former UCF quarterback Jacurri Brown. Rice also made two JUCO additions during the early signing period, defensive back Dylan Stephens and defensive lineman Brock Reddic.

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Cody will provide an instant uplift to a thin position group. He’s lightning fast with good burst on tape. At 6-foot, 180 pounds, he’ll be able to hang in the American Conference. His versatility and quickness should be a boost to a secondary that places high value in both traits in its defensive backs.

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Rice Football Recruiting: QB Jacurri Brown commits to Owls

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The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class secured its future starting quarterback in the Transfer Portal. Former UCF signal caller Jacurri Brown has committed to the Owls.

Following the departure of multiple quarterbacks in the offseason, the 2026 Rice Football Recruiting class needed at least one veteran at the position to step in immediately. The Owls searched far and wide before finding their man. Former UCF quarterback Jacurri Brown has committed to the Owls.

Brown checks all the boxes the Owls had on their wish list and more. A former four-star recruit who signed with Miami out of high school, Brown played in 10 games for the Hurricanes with three starts, showcasing his talents in wins over Virginia Tech, Virginia and Georgia Tech. He then transferred to UCF, where he appeared in 12 games for the Golden Knights over the last two seasons.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Brown is a true dual-threat athlete, able to make plays in the open field as well as with him arm. In his four seasons of college action to date, he’s thrown for 906 yards and six touchdowns with 821 yards rushing and eight scores on the ground.

Whether any official pronouncements are made, Brown will enroll this semester in time for spring practices and have the inside track to the Rice football starting quarterback job in 2026. He has one year of eligibility remaining, one that both he and the Owls is his best season yet.

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Brown will be asked to do different things with the Owls’ gun option scheme than he did at Miami and UCF, but in many ways, that should only amplify his on-field success. His tape shows a player with a big arm who can strike downfield and a willing runner who can make plays in space and won’t go down on first contact.

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Rice Football Recruiting: ATH Sawyer Rice commits to Owls

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The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class got a late Christmas present, picking up a pledge from a versatile playmaker. Sawyer Rice has committed to the Owls.

The Early Signing Period in mid-December represented the first big push for the 2026 Rice Football Recruiting class, but spots were left open for select additions to that initial group. One such new face has been added to the fold. Duncan (OK) athlete Sawyer Rice has committed to the Owls.

Rice had interest from a host of American Conference programs before landing at his namesake school. He held offers from North Texas, Army and Navy before shutting things down with a pledge to the Owls just after Christmas.

The first high school commitment since the Early Signing Period, Rice is expected to put pen to paper during the traditional February signing period alongside current unsigned commits, long snapper Hamilton Sharpe and corner Jordan Mitchell.

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No definitive decision has been made as to how Rice will fit into the Owls’ offensive scheme, but the initial plans as of now are to start him at receiver or in the slot and go from there. The film shows a dynamic athlete who can do impressive things with the ball in his hands. The only question at this point is how the ball is going to arrive.

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2025 Rice Football Recruiting Winter Transfer Portal Tracker

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The 2025 Rice Football regular season is over, and the Transfer Portal is open. Here’s the latest on who’s coming and going from South Main.

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Rice Football Recruiting: DL Chris Knauls commits to Owls

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The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class just keeps adding more playmakers during the Early Signing Period. Defensive lineman Chris Knauls has committed to the Owls.

Months ago, Chris Knauls was one of the top targets in the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class but the timing wasn’t right. Knauls made plans to sign with Michigan State before the coaching change opened the door for further conversations with Rice. Those progressed over the past week and are paying off now. Knauls has committed to the Owls.

Knauls will be one of the highest-rated players in the Owls’ class and had a long list of interested suitors before initially settling with the Spartans. The Frisco Lone Star product had offers from Texas Tech, Indiana, Houston, Utah, Kansas State, Tulane, Boise State, Cal, Colorado and a host of others. He’s one of a growing list of players to pick the Owls over a choice of Power conference programs.

With Knauls accounted for, the class now boasts seven defensive linemen, including a pair of rush ends. Knauls is the second new addition this week to the defensive front, joining JUCO signee Brock Reddic, who made things offer on Wednesday.

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There’s so much to love with Knauls on tape. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound is quick on his feet and versatile, something that Rice will certainly take advantage of when he arrives on South Main. His length will make him problematic for opposing quarterbacks.

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