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Rice Football Recruiting: QB Ayden Wilhelm commits to Owls

July 11, 2025 By Matthew Bartlett

The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class has its quarterback of the future. Ayden Wilhelm from Blue Springs South (MO) has committed to the Owls.

The ever-changing landscape had the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class in need of a quarterback as the summer months progressed. Rice didn’t waste much time after the opening appeared, moving quickly to land a commitment from one of the first players they offered in the class. Blue Springs South (MO) quarterback Ayden Wilhelm has committed to the Owls.

Wilhelm held offers from Army, Navy, Cornell and a handful of others at the time of his decision to shut things down in favor of the Owls. The intelligent, dual-threat player was a coveted choice to run an option offense and lands at South Main as the QB1 of the 2026 class.

“From the moment I stepped on campus, they made me feel like I was important and wanted,” Wilhelm told The Roost, praising head coach Scott Abell and the program he’s building. “He’s setting a high standard and is a proven winner,” Wilhelm said.

In securing a pledge from Wilhelm, Rice has officially turned the page on Aiden Smalls, who flipped his commitment to NC State a week prior. Wilhelm joins a robust offensive skill group that includes slot players Jai Jacobs-Ford and Jacob Swain, along with receiver Prince Hall and tight end Colten Cole.

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Wilhelm’s ability to create is the most exciting trait that jumps out from his highlight tape. Yes, he can run — clocked at sub 4.50 speeds — but that’s the assumed starting point of dual-threat quarterbacks in today’s age. His ability to throw on the move, to escape pressure and find open lanes — and then to make the first defender miss — is what makes him so enticing as a prospect. Putting him into Abell’s option offense should be incredibly exciting.

“The style of offense was a big deciding factor in choosing Rice,” Wilhelm said. “It’s an offensive scheme that is tailored to my strengths as a runner and play maker, putting the defense in conflict every play.”

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Filed Under: Archive, Football, Football Recruiting Tagged With: Ayden Wilhelm, Rice Football, Rice Football recruiting

The Roost Podcast | Ep 204 – 2025 Rice Football Opponent Previews: Memphis

July 11, 2025 By Matthew Bartlett

The 2025 Rice Football season previews march on. This week, we’re joined by Bryan Moss of Tiger Sports Report (ON3) to talk about the upcoming Memphis season.

The sixth edition of our Rice Football opponent summer preview series is in your podcast feeds. Returning guest Bryan Moss, who covers Memphis for Tiger Sports Report, joins the show to refresh us on the Tigers and an eventful offseason for the team, which must replace star quarterback Seth Hennigan and a host of other talented players. Listen in.

You can find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 204.

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Episode Notes

DCTF

The Roost Podcast is now part of the Dave Campbell’s Republic of Football Podcast Network. You’ll still get the same content with the same hosts, but now under the DCTF banner.

Homefield

We’re thrilled to partner with Homefield Apparel, the premier proprietor of college football clothing. First-time buyers can use the code ROOST for 15% off their order. The Owls hoodie is a personal favorite as is the Luv-Ya-Owls shirt. Make sure you check out the sailor hat (pictured below) as you shop the Rice collection or pick up something else (or both)!

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Rice Football Opponent Preview: Memphis

  • A program in a good place reloading on the fly
  • The Transfer Portal and a talented Memphis roster
  • The pecking order in the Group of 5 today
  • No defense to speak of
  • Special teams is a question mark too?
  • But the offense will be good
  • The Lightning Round

Where can you find us?

The Roost Podcast is part of the Dave Campbell’s Republic of Football Podcast Network. You can find this podcast and all of our partner podcasts on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts
  • Seeking Relevance: American Conference Aims to Overcome the Noise
  • Tulane is the Favorite in 2025 American Conference Preseason Media Poll
  • Rice Football News and Notes from American Conference Media Days
  • The Roost Podcast | Ep 206 – 2025 Rice Football Opponent Previews: Houston

Filed Under: Archive, Football, Podcast Tagged With: podcast, Rice Football

Rice Football: Transfer Portal and “Designated Student-Athletes”

July 8, 2025 By Matthew Bartlett

Rice football has experienced some attrition following the opening of a one-time Transfer Portal window this week for select “Designated Student-Athletes”.

The rollout of transformative change for college sports has not transpired without a few bumps along the road. Rice Athletics is prepared to meet the new world order with some important action items, as detailed in this thorough review earlier this month. Now, a new Transfer Portal window has impacted Rice Football. What is a “Designated Student-Athlete,” and what does it mean for the Owls?

How We Got Here

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  • Rice Football News and Notes from American Conference Media Days
  • The Roost Podcast | Ep 206 – 2025 Rice Football Opponent Previews: Houston

Filed Under: Archive, Football, Football Recruiting, Premium Tagged With: Rice Football, Rice Football recruiting, Transfer Portal

2025 Rice Football Opponent Season Preview: North Texas

July 2, 2025 By Matthew Bartlett

Three years into his time at Denton, it’s about time for Eric Morris to start turning progress into wins. What can Rice Football expect from the Mean Green in 2025?

Head Coach: Eric Morris
Record at School: 11-14 (2 Yr) | Career FBS Record 11-14 (2 Yr)
Offensive Coordinator: Jordan Davis | Defensive Coordinator: Skyler Cassity

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  • The Roost Podcast | Ep 206 – 2025 Rice Football Opponent Previews: Houston

Filed Under: Archive, Football, Premium Tagged With: 2025 Rice Football Season Preview, Rice Football

2025 Rice Football Opponent Season Preview: UTSA

June 29, 2025 By Matthew Bartlett

UTSA was relatively quiet a season ago, but the program has plans for a resurgent season. What can Rice Football expect from the Roadrunners in 2025?

Head Coach: Jeff Traylor
Record at School: 46-20 (5 Yr) | Career FBS Record 46-20 (5 Yr)
Offensive Coordinator: Justin Burke | Defensive Coordinator: Jess Loepp

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Recent Posts
  • Seeking Relevance: American Conference Aims to Overcome the Noise
  • Tulane is the Favorite in 2025 American Conference Preseason Media Poll
  • Rice Football News and Notes from American Conference Media Days
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Filed Under: Football, Premium Tagged With: 2025 Rice Football Season Preview, Rice Football

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