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Rice Football Recruiting: 2023 LB Beau Barton commits to Owls

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The first linebacker pledge in the 2023 Rice Football recruiting class is in. Van (TX) linebacker Beau Barton has committed to the Owls.

A productive weekend ended in a pair of commitments for the 2023 Rice football recruiting class. In addition to having a jam-packed camp session with athletes from all over, the Owls made sure to lock down at least a pair of commitments while they worked the crowd. One of those pledges comes on the defensive side of the ball. Linebacker Beau Barton has committed to the Owls.

Barton picked up an offer from Rice in mid-May. At the time he already held offers from Colgate and Lamar. Barton told The Roost he “knew what my decision was as soon as Rice gave me the opportunity.” Sure enough, a few weeks after receiving the initial offer, Barton pulled the trigger and made his commitment public.

Following his announcement, Barton cited the environment and the coaching staff as driving forces behind his decision. He saw himself as a good fit for the Rice defense and was excited about the scheme defensive coordinator Brian Smith has employed at South Main in recent seasons.

Barton prides himself as a run stopper with a twitchy first step and burst that help him in the passing game. Above all else, he calls himself a player “with a heart larger than life” who’s ready to make a difference for the Owls at the next level.

The addition of Barton and fellow weekend commitment Landon Ransom brings the 2023 Rice football recruiting class up to 11 commitments thus far. Barton is the fourth defensive commitment and the first linebacker in the class.

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Barton’s film backs up his claims in the run-stuffing department. He shoots into the backfield like a cannon and has enough raw power and speed to bowl through blockers on his way to the football. He finishes with intensity and isn’t shy to make sure the opposing ball carrier feels the hit all the way to the ground. Barton has the potential to be a mainstay in the middle of the Owls’ defense for years to come.

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Rice Football Recruiting: 2023 WR Landon Ransom commits to Owls

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The 2023 Rice Football recruiting had added an offensive playmaker, picking up a commitment from 2023 wide receiver Landon Ransom.

The summer camp circuit was good to Rice football recruiting and its 2023 class. The Owls had a myriad of players on campus this weekend and walked away with multiple commitments. On the offensive side of the ball, wide receiver Landon Ransom has committed to the Owls.

Ransom chose the Owls over offers from Arkansas State, Army and Navy. Although there were other teams interested in his services, the decision was an easy one for the Owls’ newest offensive weapon. “It was always Rice,” Ransom said, affirming the confidence in which he made his decision. Initially offered on National Signing Day for the 2022 class, Ransom has remained in the Owls’ sights for more than four months. Now, his decision is made.

Versatility will always be near the top of the Owls’ priority list for incoming recruits. Ransom told The Roost he believes his ability to win on the outside and the inside helped differentiate himself from his peers. Standing 6-foot and tipping the scales at 170 pounds prior to his senior season, he has a strong base to build off of as he makes the transition to college ball next year.

Ransom is the first wide receiver commitment in the 2023 Rice football recruiting class and the first true skill position player the Owls have secured outside of quarterback Chase Jenkins. Rice picked up five offensive line commitments in a two week period in late April and early May before adding three commitments in the secondary in the early summer months. Linebacker Beau Barton committed the same weekend.

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One quick look at Ransom’s highlights makes it easy to see what piqued the Owls’ interest. From deep speed to the ability to win with his body, Ransom can win in a variety of ways already. He has a strong base from which to continue to develop his game and already possesses an awareness that is challenging to teach. Ransom’s ability to fill multiple roles and do multiple things make him a great pickup for the Owls.

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Rice Football Recruiting: Safety Jamarie Wiggins commits to Owls

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More help is coming on the back end. The 2023 Rice Football recruiting class has added a commitment from Connally (TX) safety Jamarie Wiggins.

The summer has been kind to the 2023 Rice Football recruiting class. Every few weeks, Rice adds another player to its growing list of commitments. Now their first safety of the class has locked in his pledge. After receiving an offer from Rice last month, Connally (TX) safety Jamarie Wiggins has committed to the Owls.

Wiggins picks Rice over a short, but impressive list of offers: West Virginia, Boston College, SMU, Colorado State, and Tulsa. Winning battles against Power 5 opponents is something the Owls have done on occasion in years past. Now the newly revamped recruiting staff can add Wiggins’ to their growing resume of contending with bigger schools, inside and outside the state.

The addition of Wiggins continues a recent run of defensive players. Rice opened the month of May with a commitment from offensive lineman Patrick Valent, their fifth consecutive commitment from the offensive trenches in a row and their sixth offensive player in the class. Since, Rice had added three defensive pledges, all from the secondary. Wiggins joins corners Jamarion Clark and AJ Stephens in the defensive backfield.

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For Wiggins, the film speaks for itself. The football finds him. Above all of his athletic traits, that innate ability to find the football and take it away from the other team is invaluable. Then, of course, he also adds the size and quickness to turn one impact play into an even bigger plus for the defense. He’s a physical player who has a nose for the ball. He’ll fit right in at South Main.

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Rice Football Recruiting: Owls to hire “TikTok Coach” Marco Regalado

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There’s a new director of Rice Football Recruiting in town. The Owls are expected to hire “TikTok Coach” Marco Regalado for the position soon.

First reported by Chris Vannini of The Athletic, Rice football recruiting has a new front man. The Owls are set to hire Marco Regalado, known for his viral videos as the “TikTok Coach”, as their Director of Player Personnel & Recruiting Innovation.

Two years ago, Regalado was an assistant high school football coach in Alamo, Texas when he downloaded TikTok and made his first video and started drawing views.

From there he had a stint with V.R. Eaton High School in Haslet, Texas before being hired as a recruiting assistant by now-former Washington State head coach Nick Rolovich and ascending to Director of Recruiting under new head coach Jake Dickert. Now he’s headed to South Main.

For those not on TikTok or otherwise less linked to social media, Regalado’s climb has gone far beyond the bounds of social media. He was featured on The Athletic last spring in a piece that includes several of his earlier videos. He’s also active on Twitter, posting this hint shortly after the news went public of his imminent hiring:

Regalado will round out a revamped recruiting staff which includes Lee Menefee, Director of Recruiting Ops/High School Relations, and Jessica Morrey, Director of On-Campus Recruiting. When he arrives, Regalado will take over a current class that has eight commitments, the most recent of which came this week from MacArthur corner AJ Stephens.

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Rice Football Recruiting: CB AJ Stephens commits to Owls

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The 2023 Rice Football recruiting class picked up a difference-maker on the outside. Corner back AJ Stephens has committed to the Owls.

For the second time in the past month, the 2023 Rice football recruiting class has added a playmaker in the secondary. MacArthur cornerback AJ Stephens has committed to the Owls. Stephens joins fellow Texas High School product Jamarion Clark (South Oak Cliff), who committed to Rice in mid-May as a tandem of cover men for the future.

Stephens, a versatile athlete, was also a star on his basketball team where he excelled on the defensive end of the court along with his shooting prowess. That athleticism and ability to lock down his man translates to the gridiron as well where Stephens says he prides himself on “being able to come down and make tackles and cover the best receiver on the other team.”

Rice was the first program to offer Stephens back in May. Since then, he also picked up an offer from Prairie View A&M before opting to make his pledge to the Owls. Stephens cited the facilities and the staff as driving reasons for his decision. In his eyes, “to also have coaches with NFL experience is amazing because they know how to get me to the next level.”

Stephens elevates the 2023 Rice Football recruiting class up to eight commitments. He and the aforementioned Clark are the only two defensive pledges so far, with the remainder being a quintet of offensive lineman and quarterback Chase Jenkins.

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Rice seeks after players with size and physicality for its defensive scheme. They also need corners who are comfortable on an island. Stephens’ film showcases those characteristics extremely well. He’s excellent in coverage and can lean forward and deliver a blow when he picks up a full head of steam. He’ll fit in well at South Main.

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