The Rice Owls went 6-7 in 2023 and then went to work in the portal in 2024. With a bevy of new faces and returners, the Owls will look to finish higher in the new season with a revamped roster.
Let’s take a look at the top 10 returning players that could help the Owls ascend the standings in the AAC in 2024.
Rice Owls Top 10 Returners in 2024
Analyzing the returning players at every school is a difficult task in the transfer portal era. As such, we’ve included transfer-portal athletes that were included on each team’s roster page to open fall camp in addition to the rostered players from last year.
10) Brant Banks, Offensive Line
The massive Banks started every game at guard for the Owls in 2023 and played over 800 snaps. He spent four seasons at Nebraska where he played in 26 games, including all 12 games in 2022.
Banks has fantastic size at the position, standing at 6’7″ inches and weighing 318 pounds. His size and smarts were a big reason for the emergence of Dean Connors in 2023. He will bring leadership and experience to the trenches for the Owls.
9) Blake Boenisch, Defensive Line
Boenish saw time in 13 games for the Owls and scooped up 26 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. He’s seen action in every season that he’s played at Rice and was second among Owls interior defensive linemen with 29 tackles in 2022.
Boenisch is a beast in the middle from a size perspective — he’s 6’3″inches, 332 pounds — and while he doesn’t rack up production like some defensive linemen, his ability to plug holes and draw attention is invaluable for others on the defensive front.
9) Boden Groen, Tight End
Groen came to Rice in 2022 and played in 12 of the Owls’ 13 games while catching nine passes for 79 yards. In 2023 he ranked second in the AAC amongst tight ends in receptions (39) and third in yards (383). He also added three touchdowns, good enough for fifth in the conference.
Groen has legit size at the tight end position and his usage should be increased in 2024. At 6’4″ inches and 240 pounds, he’s a matchup nightmare for defenses wherever he lines up on the field and should be an asset in the run game as well.
8) Gabriel Taylor, Safety
Taylor was an All-AAC honorable mention in 2023 as he saw action in 12 of the Owls’ 13 games. He had 59 tackles, good enough for third on the team, and added two interceptions, eight breakups, and 10 passes defended to complement that mark.
Taylor is a threat in the passing game from any angle. He can get to the quarterback and be sound in coverage. While he stands at 5’10” and 190 pounds, he plays with the size of an NFL-level player. He’s going to be a force for Rice in 2024.
7) Faybian Marks, Defensive Back
Marks comes to the Owls from Utah, where played 31 games and over 650 snaps for the Utes. His best statistical season came in 2021 where he started seven games before being sidelined due to injury. He had 25 tackles and two pass breakups in the short time he saw the field.
Marks brings good size and speed to the position. He’s an experienced player who comes to Rice as a graduate transfer, and his family has deep football roots as his brothers Torin and Xavian played at Alabama.
6) Quinton Jackson, Running Back
Quinton Jackson is a do-everything player who has a big impact on special teams in addition to his duties in the backfield. He averaged 23.12 yards on 17 kickoff returns which was good enough for fourth in the AAC. He also had 10 carries and six receptions for the Owls.
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Speed and a change of pace will define Jackson’s role. He’s undersized at 5’7″, 160 pounds but it is his ability to turn average plays into explosive ones that gets him on the list, especially in the return game.
5) Chad Lindberg, Offensive Line
The graduate transfer from Georgia has two years of eligibility for the Owls to enjoy. Lindberg is a big piece, both literally and figuratively, standing at 6’6″ and 315 pounds. His 99 snaps for the Bulldogs may not be massive, but he was part of the best unit in the SEC in terms of sacks allowed at 0.93 per game.
Lindberg brings experience at an elite program to Rice and should find plenty of opportunity to have an impact, especially in opening holes for Connors and keeping E.J Warner clean in the pocket.
4) Sean Fresch, Defensive Back
Fresch was a mainstay for the Owls at corner in 2023, starting all 13 games. He posted career highs in tackles (50), tackles for loss (three), and a sack. He also saw duty on special teams as the punt returner with 16 returns for 160 yards.
The Austin native should have an impact in the secondary whether he plays inside or out, and his potential to break a return puts his speed at the top of the list of Fresch’s traits to watch.
3) E.J. Warner, Quarterback
Yes, Warner is the son of legendary quarterback Kurt Warner. Yes, he transferred from Temple after two seasons with the Owls. Yes, he set records at Temple with 23 passing touchdowns and 3,076 yards in the air.
Warner doesn’t have the kind of elite size that bigger schools covet, as he’s just 6’0″ and weighs 195 pounds. But doubt Warner at your own peril. He’s been schooled by his famous father, and the recognition he’s garnered before Rice as the AAC Rookie of the Year in 2021 should silence any potential detractors. With an improved offensive line, a solid run game, and upgraded receivers, Warner could be poised for a breakout season in 2024.
2) Myron Morrison, Linebacker
A great prospect from a size perspective at 6’3″, 216 pounds, the team captain will anchor an Owls defense that has made big improvements through the portal in the offseason. The All-AAC honorable mention in 2023 should be poised to dominate again in this senior season.
Morrison had 20 pressures on just 81 rushes to go with 80 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles. He’s an agent of chaos for Rice and opposing offenses will struggle to plan for him now that the Owls have bolstered the defense.
1) Dean Connors, Running Back
Dean Connors had a fantastic season in 2023 with 771 yards rushing and seven touchdowns on the way to 1,189 all-purpose yards. His 43 catches for 403 yards and three scores made him a versatile threat. Connors should do more of the same this year.
He’s got adequate size for a running back at 6’0″, 206 pounds. He runs extremely hard and can break loose at any point, too. While Connors may not have the kind of shiftiness of elite backs, he is great at using his vision and energy to make defenders miss as frequently. Connors is a big play waiting to happen and defenses in the AAC will not be looking forward to seeing more of him in 2024.
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