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Rice Football 2023 Special Teams Player of the Year: Peyton Stevenson

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Peyton Stevenson was a bright light during an up-down season for special teams and our 2023 Rice Football Special Teams Player of the Year.

Outside of the punter, kicker and return men, those who play special teams seldom get name recognition. Although there are 10 other men on the field, the non-specialists who make the rest of the play possible don’t get the limelight very often, with rare exceptions. One of those shining standouts this season was Peyton Stevenson, our 2023 Rice Football Special Teams Player of the Year.

A wide receiver when he arrived on campus, Stevenson converted to safety this past season. While learning a new position during the spring, it was special teams where he really found his niche. Stevenson was a standout member of multiple block and coverage teams and rose through the ranks quickly.

When special teams coordinator Pete Alamar arrived on campus, Stevenson’s fresh start was met with fresh eyes.

“I purposefully did not watch a bunch of their film. I didn’t look at their depth chart,” Alamar said this spring. “I want to see them out here. I want to evaluate them based on what I see.”

What Alamar saw in Stevenson was an irreplaceable piece of his special teams fabric. By the time depth charts began to take shape in earnest, Stevenson was an integral part of the Rice special teams and someone Alamar and the coaching staff relied on to lead the unit. He and captain Chike Anigbogu became part of what Alamar liked to refer to as “four-teamers”, players utilized across four special teams units: kick off, punt, return and field goal.

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In the fall, Stevenson would help lead player-only meetings at the team hotel on Friday nights before the game. “They talk through everything,” head coach Mike Bloomgren said, lauding Stevenson and others for their dedication to their craft. The meetings weren’t required. It was just another of example of players caring deeply for their craft. And Stevenson was at the core.

It should have come as no surprise then when Stevenson’s preparation manifested itself on the football field. Stevenson blocked a PAT against UConn, keeping the Owls in a game that was in danger of going lopsided in a hurry. Then, a few weeks later, Stevenson blocked a punt against SMU that was recovered by a teammate for a Rice touchdown.

The blocked punt score was the first for the Owls since Sam McGuffie in 2012. It was Stevenson’s second blocked kick of any kind, a first for any Rice player since Christian Covington blocked a pair of kicks in 2013. Already in rarified air amongst Rice history, Stevenson was one of just four players in the country this season to have blocked both a punt and a place kick.

More: 2023 Rice Football Defensive Newcomer of the Year — Coleman Coco

Following the season, Bloomgren would identify four key performers on special teams: Stevenson, Anigbogu, Sean Fresch and Geron Hargon.

Stevenson was never called upon for a postgame press conference. He didn’t get the attention other specialists did, for better or for worse. But he made Rice football special teams better every time he was on the field, perhaps just as much on the dozens of other routine plays when kicks weren’t blocked. The entire operation continued to soldier on, thanks in large part to Stevenson.

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Rice Football 2023 Defensive Newcomer of the Year: Coleman Coco

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Coleman Coco arrived at South Main as another transfer in an impressive signing class. He then became the clear-cut 2023 Rice Football Defensive Newcomer of the Year.

Thousands of players enter the Transfer Portal every offseason. The coach’s job is to find the right ones that fit the program and get them on campus. Hit rates are mixed. Some wash out before they ever play a down. Others help change the trajectory of the program itself. Colgate transfer Coleman Coco did just that and was an easy pick for our 2023 Rice Football Defensive Newcomer of the Year.

From the moment Coco arrived on campus, he couldn’t be missed. Spring practices were filled with his commanding voice followed by impressive plays on the field. Defensive coordinator Brian Smith called him an “alpha kind of guy”, praising his leadership right out of the gate. That gave the staff hope. Perhaps they’d found a keeper at a coveted position, defensive end.

Week by week, Coco continued to turn heads. Teammate Blake Boenisch called him “the fastest learner” he’d seen at Rice. His position coach Cedric Calhoun was wowed by his ability to make adjustments. “Once he’s seen it once [on film], he’s good,” Calhoun remarked.

Coco finished the spring strong, notching a sack in the spring game and entering the fall as the projected starter and would go on to start every game. In large part due to Coco’s presence, a defensive line that was forced to replace three veteran starters from a year ago played even better.

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Coco led the team in sacks (four) and tackles for a loss (nine) while also finishing sixth on the team in total tackles, no small feat from the defensive line. In his first season on campus, Coco posted career bests across the board, graduating from an All-Patriot League player to someone who probably deserved postseason recognition of some kind in the American.

To get that level of play from a transfer with Coco’s resume was incredible.

“He’s been such a home run,” head coach Mike Bloomgren after the season. “He’s just been amazing with his play. His passion for this game is contagious. He immediately fit right into what we’re doing.” Bloomgren would also call Coco “a walking advertisement for our program,” lauding how well Coco assimilated into the culture and became a champion of those ideals.

One needed to look no further than Coco’s own comments following the Owls’ bowl-clinching victory against FAU. “361 days ago Rice offered me when I jumped in the portal,” Coco said. “It was kind of a no-brainer from the start and to be a part of it and be with these guys and have the opportunity to have a winning season for the first time in long while, it’s great. I’m very, very thankful for the coaches, the staff and everybody to be here. It’s pretty awesome.”

Always the first to credit his coaches for his growth and his teammates for an assist that set up a big play, Coco’s energy was contagious. It seemed impossible to be morose or downtrodden when he was next to you and his mentality permeated the locker room. No matter the score or the situation, Coco was convinced Rice would come out on top. And he hasn’t stopped preaching that message.

More: 2023 Rice Football Offensive Newcomer of the Year — Boden Groen

“If you would like a world-class education and to be a part of football team, that is going on the up-and-up, and doing things that people cannot think that you can do, it’s the place to be,” Coco said following that FAU game, making his pitch for Rice football to all who would listen.

“We know we have a talented ball club. We know we’re going to be even better next year. So if you if you want to be a part of a winning team, a part of a great culture, it’s the place for you. I’m so thankful to be here. When [the media] talked to me after Houston, I said ‘I love it here’. Eleven weeks later, I love it even more.”

Rice football certainly loves Coleman Coco. They wouldn’t have had the season they did without him.

* Photo Credit: Maria Lysaker *
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Rice Football 2023: NFL Owls Regular Season Roundup

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Rice Football was well represented on 2023 NFL rosters. Here’s the latest from the NFL Owls in action this season.

There are former Rice football players scattered across the NFL. Stay tuned each week for their game results and notables from each player.

Team NFL Owl(s) This Week Result Playoffs
Denver Broncos Elijah Garcia (DL) at Raiders L, 27-14  —
Detroit Lions Jack Fox (P) vs Vikings W, 30-20  vs Rams (WC)
Indianapolis Colts Kylen Granson (TE) vs Texans (Sat) L, 23-19  —
Los Angeles Rams Austin Trammell (WR) at 49ers W, 21-20  at Lions (WC)
New England Patriots Calvin Anderson (OL) vs Jets L, 17-3  —
Pittsburgh Steelers Chris Boswell (PK) at Ravens (Sat) W, 17-10  at Bills (WC)
Seattle Seahawks Myles Adams (DL) vs Cardinals W, 21-20  —
Tampa Bay Bucs Nick Leverett (OL) at Panthers W, 9-0  vs Eagles (WC)

Offense

Calvin Anderson – OT, Patriots

Anderson appeared in five games for the Patriots this season, making two starts including the season opener against the Eagles. He was active for the final nine games of the regular season but did not see action down the stretch.

Kylen Granson – TE, Colts

Granson posted career highs in starts (seven), targets (50), receiving yards (368) and caught his first NFL touchdown this season. His celebratory photoshoot drew plenty of laughs.

Nick Leverett – OT, Buccaneers

Leverett was active for the Bucs in every game this season, but only saw action on three occasions, participating with the special teams unit.

Austin Trammell – WR, Rams

Trammell became an everyday player for the first time in his professional career, serving as the Rams’ primary return specialist this season. He returned six kicks for 101 yards and 25 punts for 183 yards. He also caught four passes, including three on a career-best offensive outing against the Seahawks.

Defense

Myles Adams – DL, Seahawks

Adams was in and out of the Seahawks’ lineup this season, serving as one of the primary alternatives in cases of injuries or emergencies. He made one start (week 15 against the Titans) and got his first career sack (Week 4 against the Giants), as well as playing several snaps on special teams.

Elijah Garcia – DL, Broncos

Garcia was active in three games for the Broncos, all at the beginning of the season. He picked up his first career sack in his final appearance, a Week 5 game against the Jets.

Jack Fox – P, Lions

Fox compiled another productive season in Detroit, punting 57 times with a 46.4-yard average with a long of 70 yards which came in Week 2 against Dallas. His 21 returnable punts ranked sixth fewest in the league among full-time punters.

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

Boswell made 29-of-31 field goals this season, with one block and one miss from 40+. He was perfected from 39 yards and inward. He also delivered 27-of-28 successful extra points.

More Owls in the NFL

From practice squads to current free agents, there are other Owls on the cusp of returning to active rosters. Find more detail on current contractual agreements and former Rice football players waiting for their next opportunity here.

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Rice Football 2023 Offensive Newcomer of the Year: Boden Groen

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A JUCO transfer in his second year on campus, Boden Groen broke through in a major way to become our 2023 Rice Football Offensive Newcomer of the Year.

Spring ball and fall camp often serve as proving grounds for up-and-coming players. The fresh faces have their moments in the sun, earn a spot on the depth chart and, eventually, get their chance to produce on Saturday. Translating those practice successes to game day is the biggest challenge, but tight end Boden Groen did so with ease. He’s our 2023 Rice Football Offensive Newcomer of the Year.

Groen made his Rice debut in 2022, catching nine passes across 12 games as he worked to fully integrate himself into the Owls’ scheme after transferring from Saddleback College where he played the year prior. It was a somewhat inconspicuous start for a tight end presumed to be stuck behind multi-year starter Jack Bradley on the depth chart, but while he might have flown under the radar of spectators, the Rice coaching staff and his teammates were watching.

The first rumbles of Groen’s impending emergence began in the spring. The drum beat was unmistakable. “Boden Groen is a different player right now than he was last fall,” head coach Mike Bloomgren said in the spring. “The confidence he has, it’s pretty cool. He knows what he’s doing. He’s playing fast. He’s playing hard.”

If that wasn’t a strong enough endorsement, starting quarterback JT Daniels made a point to praise Groen in his comments following the conclusion of the spring game. “I wish more people took note of Boden,” Daniels said. “I think he’s going to be an absolute killer at the Y and F spot.”

At that point, Groen was flying under the radar no longer. Garnering the attention and praise of your head coach and star quarterback before that trio ever took the field together is hard to ignore. Then came fall camp where Groen took that buzz and grew it into a chorus.

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“He can run at his size. Those guys are hard to cover,” offensive coordinator Marques Tuiasosopo said of Groen’s skillset. “The ability for that position to run-block and threaten the middle of the field with athleticism and speed, that is a game-changer.” And finally, “We think Boden can be in that [Travis Kelce] mold for us in this conference.”

When the games arrived, expectations were mounting. Groen responded by leading the team in receptions in the season opener against Texas. He built on that with at least one reception, usually more, in every game of the season. The only other Rice player to achieve that in 2023? Star wide receiver Luke McCaffrey.

Groen scored his first collegiate touchdown against Tulane. A few weeks later he had a multi-touchdown performance against Florida Atlantic, propelling the Owls to their sixth win and bowl eligibility. With the season on the line and McCaffrey pulling copious amounts of attention, Groen was the clear No. 2 option in the passing game.

In fact, Groen finished the season second among all AAC tight ends with 37 receptions and third with 376 receiving yards. Those 37 catches were the most by a Rice football tight end since Vance McDonald in 2011. His yardage total was the highest since McDonald in 2012.

More: 2023 Rice Football Iron Man — Clay Servin

Through it all, Groen stayed calm and humble. “Our coaches put together a great scheme every week,” Groen said. “And every week, I know that they’re going to call plays that are going to get me open, they’re gonna get Luke [McCaffrey] open, they’re going to get Dean [Connors] open.”

Coincidentally, that trio (Groen, McCaffrey and Connors) represented the top three pass catchers for Rice football this season. That’s a strong start for Groen to build on in 2024.

* Photo Credit: Maria Lysaker *
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Rice Football Recruiting: JUCO LB Blaise Tita commits to Owls

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The 2024 Rice Football recruiting class picked up another transfer this week. JUCO linebacker Blaise Tita has committed to the Owls.

The first junior college transfer in the 2024 Rice Football recruiting class is officially in the fold. A local product who played his high school ball just down the road at Alief Taylor High School, Killgore Junior College linebacker Blaise Tita has committed to the Owls.

Tita spent the 2022 season with Lamar, initially playing sparingly before finishing the season with 19 tackles in his final three games. From there he transferred to the JUCO level, looking for a bounce back. When he reentered the portal this offseason he had received offers North Alabama, Southeastern, Mississippi Valley State and Abilene Christian. Then Rice swooped in and sealed the deal.

“It’s truly a blessing,” Tita told The Roost. “I can’t wait to make the most of it.”

Tita is the first commitment since the early signing period when Rice formally announced 13 additions to their program. He’s the second linebacker in the class and should pair well with incoming freshman Kaleb Blanton. Tita has at least two seasons of eligibility remaining, with the potential for a third.

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker.

Tita is always ready to deliver a big hit. A quick look at his play from his stint at Lamar makes that abundantly clear. And unlike a perfectly cut up highschool highlight reel, Tita’s season’s worth of action at Lamar lays his play out in the open. He’s aggressive and instinctive and appears to have some range. Rice football definitely knows what it wants from an outside linebacker at this point. Tita fits the bill.

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