It’s been a good month in the secondary for the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class. Safety Zion Allen has flipped his commitment to the Owls.
The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class picked up steam over the summer, exploding from a few commitments in the spring to more than a dozen future Owls awaiting their chance to arrive on campus. That number grew this weekend with their latest addition from the high school ranks. Safety Zion Allen from Aquinas High School (GA) has committed to the Owls.
Allen’s commitment is a bit unique because he was previously committed elsewhere. His first offer came from Army and he committed to the Black Knights in early July. Soon afterward, Rice football tosses its hat into the ring, forcing Allen to reconsider.
“It was difficult,” Allen told The Roost. “I had multiple conversations and prayers with my family which really helped.”
Allen pointed towards the relationships and academics as key factors in his decision, which he made official roughly a month after the Owls offered him a scholarship. The defensive scheme was important, too.
“I like the versatility of the position they’re recruiting me at,” Allen said. “I feel like I can thrive playing up high and playing in the box.”
With Allen in the fold, Rice football now has three defensive backs committed in the 2026 class. Cy Falls’ corner James Henderson and Ridge Point’s Jordan Mitchell each committed to the program this summer.
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The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Allen is a natural centerfielder with impressive range and a quick first step. Add in a willingness to engage and make a tackle and you get the makings of a rather complete player when you turn on the tape. He’s another athletic addition to a talented defensive backfield.
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