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Rice Football 2023 Spring Notebook 10: Defensive Takeaways

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The Rice Football defense once again had a productive spring. Here’s what we learned about that side of the ball.

Despite coming out of the wrong side according to the final score in the 2023 Rice Football Blue and Gray Game, the defense had a largely positive spring. They asserted their will in the prior two scrimmages and made plenty of noise along the way, but they have questions still to be answered as spring winds down. Here are 10 closing thoughts on the defense from the totality of the spring.

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1. Coaching matters

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Rice Football 2023 Spring Notebook 9: Offensive Takeaways

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The Rice Football offense started slow in the spring but finished strong. Here’s what we learned about that side of the ball.

The offense “won” the 2023 Rice Football Blue and Gray Game, for those that put credence in spring game scoring systems. But regardless of what the scoreboard said, that side of the ball did exhibit plenty of growth from practice 1 to practice 15. Some questions were answered. Others weren’t. Here are 10 closing thoughts on the offense from the totality of the spring.

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1. New additions pay early dividends

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Rice Football 2023 Spring Practice Notebook 8: Spring Game

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The 2023 Rice Football spring game marked the conclusion of spring practices and several individuals made their marks on Saturday night.

The 2023 RiceFootball Blue and Grey Game was won by the offense, 38-11, and played out in much the same way the spring itself did: a slow start followed by successive improvements. JT Daniels led four scoring drives, three of which came against the first team defense to help set the tone for the offseason. More on Daniels, the offense, the defense and where Rice goes from here.

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JT Joyride

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Rice Football 2023 Spring Practice Notebook 7: Big picture questions

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The last practice before the 2023 Rice Football spring game has wrapped up and there are several questions that still need answering as spring ball ends.

All eyes were focused on the arrival of transfer quarterback JT Daniels, who took the field for the first time this spring. Would he live up to expectations? Early returns have been superb. But with quarterback (thankfully) solved, there are other outstanding questions that Rice football hasn’t found the answers to just yet and spring is rapidly drawing to a close.

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The roster is strong, but is the depth there?

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Rice Football Recruiting: ’24 LB Kaleb Blanton commits to Owls

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The 2024 Rice Football recruiting class continues its steady rise, this time bolstering its defensive ranks. Linebacker Kaleb “KB” Blanton has committed to the Owls.

The second defensive commitment of the 2024 Rice Football recruiting class is in the fold and it’s a big one. Linebacker Kaleb “KB” Blanton has committed to the Owls. Originally offered by Rice in February, Blanton has been a coveted target for some time.

The Manvel High School star was on campus to check out practice on Monday and made his pledge public less than 24 hours later. He’s the first local player from the greater Houston area to join the 2024 class. For him, it was an easy decision. “As soon as I stepped on campus, I felt welcomed,” Blanton told The Roost. “It was almost as if I was already a part of their family.”

Blanton is a three-star recruit according to 247 Sports, and a highly regarded player in their esteem, too. His current composite rating makes him the highest rated commit in the 2024 class and puts him fifth all-time in program history. Blanton chose Rice over offers from Arizona, UTSA, Marshall, UNLV, Arkansas State and others.

With Blanton on board, the Owls now have three commits in the 2024 class. Wideout Owen Carter was the first to make his intentions known, committing in January. Defensive lineman Armstrong Nnodim came a month later in February and Blanton’s commitment rounds out a potent beginning trio, all of which are three-star recruits.

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The reasons for wanting Blanton on the field at South Main become readily apparent as soon as your turn on the film. Blanton said he prides himself on his “ability to change direction, close space, cover and recognized plays on the field before anyone else.” All things that stand out quickly when watching him play.

His ability athleticism and awareness make him a difference-maker wherever he lines up on the field. For a program like Rice that emphasizes range and closing speed, Blanton fits the bill perfectly. His ability to deliver a punishing blow when he gets there is a cherry on top.

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