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Rice Football Recruiting: WR Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman commits to Owls

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The 2024 Rice Football recruiting class has picked up another offensive playmaker. Former Florida wideout Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman has committed to the Owls.

The last few weeks have been somewhat quiet on the Rice Football recruiting front because the Owls have had been carefully selecting what amounts to the finishing touches on their 2024 roster, taking what they perceive to be the most impactful players available to them from the Transfer Portal. They landed another high-upside option this week when they gained a commitment from former Florida wide receiver and Top 100 recruit Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman.

Chiaokhiao-Bowman was a highly regarded member of the 2022 recruiting class and considered a top 10 JUCO wide receiver recruit in the nation and a top 100 JUCO player overall. He had his fair share of suitors at that time before ultimately spending the spring at Independence CC and transferring to Florida in the fall. The Minneapolis, MN native got on the field as a true freshman with the Gators, operating as a receiver receiver and a special teams player. He caught seven passes for 138 yards, averaging a healthy 19.7 yards per catch.

Injuries slowed him this past season, limiting him to two games in a redshirt season. He’ll have three years of eligibility remaining when he arrives on South Main. That’s a lot of football ahead for the 6-foot, 200-pound receiver who should provide an instant infusion of talent and further amp up the competition in the receiver room.

Chiaokhiao-Bowman joins Brown transfer Graham Walker and freshman Owen Carter as the most prominent additions for Rice football at the receiver position in this current recruiting cycle. That’s a lot of talent for a roster tasked with the arduous challenge of replacing Luke McCaffrey.

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As for Chiaokhiao-Bowman, the traits are there and jump off his film. He’s uber-athletic and already seems to run refined routes. He’s produced within an SEC offense and showcased ball skills and speed when given the opportunity. When it comes to Power 5 transfers, this is the kind of player worth betting on. He’ll be a great addition to the Owls’ pass catching stable that continues to grow.

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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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NFL Draft: WR Luke McCaffrey selected No. 100 Overall by Commanders

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Former Rice football wide receiver Luke McCaffrey was selected No. 100 overall by the Washington Commanders in the 2024 NFL Draft.

A steady riser throughout the pre-draft process, Luke McCaffrey didn’t have to wait long to learn his pro destination. The former Rice football wide receiver was selected with the final pick of the third round, going No. 100 overall to the Washington Commanders.

McCaffrey enters the NFL following a season in which he led the AAC in touchdown receptions (12), racking up 68 receptions and 963 receiving yards in the process.

He’ll follow in the footsteps of a family flush with NFL bloodlines. Luke’s brother, Christian, is a standout running back with the San Francisco 49ers. His father, Ed, was a third-round pick to the Denver Broncos who would go on to play 13 seasons in the league and win three Super Bowls.

In Washington, McCaffrey joins a robust Commanders’ roster which includes newly drafted quarterback Jayden Daniels from LSU. He’ll step into a receiver room that includes Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and others.

McCaffrey is the first Rice player to hear his name called in the NFL Draft since Christian Covington was selected by the Houston Texans in 2015 and the first top-100 selection for the Owls since Phillip Gains was drafted by the Chiefs in 2014. He’s the Rice wide receiver drafted since Jarett Dillard was selected by the Jaguars in the fifth round in 2009 and the first Rice player drafted by Washington since Tony Barker in the 10th round of the 1992 draft.

McCaffrey was named The Roost’s Offensive Player of the Year for Rice football in back-to-back seasons, his first two years playing wide receiver at the collegiate level following a transition from quarterback. If he can excel to that degree in such a short time, the sky might truly be the limit for him at the next level.

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