Owls Add a Dozen on Signing Day
12/4/2024 12:02:00 PM | Football
Seven to join the team in January
HOUSTON- Dunlevie Family Head Football Coach Scott Abell announced the addition of 12 high school standouts who have signed Grants in Aid to join the Owls in his first year on South Main in 2025.
The initial group of additions to the roster features eight on offense (three linemen, two running backs, two wide receivers, and one tight end) and four on the defensive side of the ball (two linebackers, one lineman, and one defensive back).
"The staff did a great job of identifying this talented group of players and retaining them through the coaching change," Abell said. "It was immediately evident when I spoke to them how much the opportunity to come to Rice means to each of our recruits. They are a highly motivated group who have known nothing but success at the high school level and are committed to continuing that success at Rice," he added.
The class includes seven incoming freshmen (Michael Amey III, Tyvon Byars, D'Andre Hardeman Jr., Payton Matthews, Semaj Pierre, Robert Rooks, and Will Swartz) who will enroll in January to participate in Abell's first set of spring drills with the Owls after being named the 20th head football coach on November 26.
While seven new Owls have completed their seasons, five will be in action this weekend in pursuit of state titles.
CJ Witten and his Argyle Liberty Christian teammates will face off against Dallas Parish Episcopal at 7 p.m. for the TAPPS DI title.
Three future Owls will continue their pursuit of 6A state titles on Saturday. Cole Alberding and Allen will face North Crowley in the 6A D1 Region 1 championship, Hardeman and North Shore will face Atascocita in the 6A D1 Region 3 title game, and Matthews and Harlan will meet Vandergriff for the Region 4 6A DII championship.
Colter Alberding OL 6-2 306 Allen, Texas/Allen
Second-team All-District 5-6A and honorable mention TSWA All-State as a junior at Allen for coach Lee Wiginton who will face off against North Crowley in the 6A D1 Region 1 championship game on Saturday… Father (Shawn) is the Eagles D-Line coach and three-year starting defensive end at Rice (1990-92)… Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300.
Michael Amey III S 5-11 181 Missouri City, Texas /Hightower
Second-team All-District 21-6A despite missing four games as a senior for coach Cornelius Anthony as the Hurricanes posted a 31-7 record during his three years as a starter… First-team all-district as a junior and was the district defensive newcomer of the year in 2022… Credited with 45 tackles, four pass breakups and three interceptions in his shortened senior season, and 140 tackles 15 breakups and 10 interceptions in his career… Also lettered in both track and baseball at Hightower and ran on the Hurricanes 4x200 relay which was an area finalist… Two-time Academic All-District selection as well… Great uncle is former heavyweight world boxing champion George Foreman.
Erben Birkhoff OL 6-4 285 Katy, Texas/Tompkins
Two-time, first-team All-District 19-6A selection for coach Todd McVey at Tompkins and helped spark the Falcons to the playoffs the last three years, first as a punter and kickoff specialist and then as a tight end before moving to the offensive line. Credited with 30 pancakes and 15 knockdowns as a senior… Only allowed one sack in his last two years… Second team all-district as a punter in his sophomore season after averaging 40.2 per punt… Honorable mention selection as a freshman punter… Played rugby for the Woodlands Rugby Club and was a team captain… Member of USA Rugby's U18 national team that traveled to Uruguay & Argentina last summer for three matches.
Tyvonn Byars RB 5-10 202 Montgomery, Texas / Lake Creek
A four-year standout for coach Patrick Kennedy at Montgomery Lake Creek High School, where he ran for 5,393 yards (7.4 per carry) and scored 106 touchdowns in his career… Rushed for 1,540 and 30 TDs as a senior… Lions were 24-2 in his sophomore and junior seasons and lost to eventual state champion Port Neches-Groves in the regional semifinals as a junior… Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 10 running backs in Texas… Vype All-Greater Houston Preseason second team… Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association 5A Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 as a sophomore and a first-team, all-state selection.
D'Andre Hardeman Jr. RB 5-8 189 Houston, Texas/North Shore
Two-year starter for coach Willie Gaston and North Shore, rushing for 3,682 yards and 8 touchdowns in his career as North Shore returns to the Region 3 championship game on Saturday against Atascocita… Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300… Vype All-Greater Houston Preseason first-team heading into his senior year… 2023 Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association 6A All-State selection as a junior as North Shore reached the state title game…All District 21-6A pick as a junior and a second team selection as a sophomore… 2021 6A DI state champion in his freshman year…National Honor Society and 2023 Academic Hall of Honor Inductee.
Payton Matthews WR 5-11 175 San Antonio, Texas/Harlan
Three-year starter and two-time all-district selection for coach Eddie Salas as the Hawks advanced for the first time to the Region 4 6A DII championship, where they will face Vandergriff on Saturday… He has 38 receptions for 619 yards and 11 TDs, 615 yards on the ground, and another five touchdowns in addition to throwing for a score… Has amassed 3,072 all-purpose yards in his career (1,978 receiving, 957 rushing and has a combined 37 career touchdowns and four touchdown passes… Three-time Academic All-District selection as well.
Semaj Pierre WR 5-8 158 Port Arthur, Texas/ Memorial
Caught 40 passes for 522 yards and three touchdowns as a senior for coach Brian Morgan and has caught 181 for 2,435 yards and 20 touchdowns in his career… District 8-5A D1 Offensive Newcomer of the Year as a junior… National Honor Society.
Cole Principe OL 6-3 303 Orange, California/Orange Lutheran
Three-year starter for coach Rod Sherman as the Lancers finished 8-4 in the Trinity League CIF southern section D1 which also featured St. John Bosco and Mater Dei… Also plays rugby and played on a state finalist squad.
Robert Rooks DL 6-1 261 Petaluma, California/St. Vincent DePaul
Four-year starter and 2024 Redwood Empire-Bay Defensive Player of the Year for coach Trent Herzog for the Mustangs, who won the 2023 6AA title and were the Redwood Empire– Bay league champions this past season… Credited with 74 tackles and eight sacks, along with three forced fumbles and three blocked kicks as a senior… Totaled 243 tackles, 22. 5 sacks, and eight forced fumbles in his career… Lineman of the Year in the league in 2023 and was named all-league on both sides of the ball as a sophomore in 2022… Also played soccer in 2022 and was named team MVP as well as lacrosse from 2021-23… AP Computer Science and AP English Language & Composition.
Will Swartz TE 6-4 237 Huffman, Texas/Hargrave
District 10-4A D1 Utility Player of the Year in 2024 and a three-time all-district selection, staring both as a tight end and defensive end for coach Joey Buchta as the Falcons finished 9-2 and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs… Had 25 receptions for 467 yards and six touchdowns on offense while being credited with 21 tackles for loss (seven sacks), four fumble recoveries (two for touchdowns) and an interception return for a score… Caught 54 passes in his career for 855 yards and ten touchdowns… Two-time all-district selection in baseball and a three-time district champ in the shot put as well… National Honor Society… Father (Tony) played at Arkansas.
Ty Thames LB 6-3 204 Wimberly, Texas / Wimberly
Defensive MVP of District 13-4A DII as a junior during Wimberly's march to the state semifinals as a junior. He will lead the Texans against Sinton on Friday night in the Region 4 Championship after guiding them to the state semifinals last year.
CJ Witten LB 6-1 205 Westlake, Texas / Liberty Christian
TAPPS DII All-state selection as a junior while leading the Warriors to the state title and playing for his father, former All-Pro tight end Jason Witten… Liberty Christian will play for the DI title against Dallas Parish Episcopal on Saturday night in Waco… Two-time All-State selection and two-time district defensive player of year… Credited with 109 tackles this season and has made 310 in his career… A member of Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300… Two-time Academic All-State honoree and president of the student body.
The initial group of additions to the roster features eight on offense (three linemen, two running backs, two wide receivers, and one tight end) and four on the defensive side of the ball (two linebackers, one lineman, and one defensive back).
"The staff did a great job of identifying this talented group of players and retaining them through the coaching change," Abell said. "It was immediately evident when I spoke to them how much the opportunity to come to Rice means to each of our recruits. They are a highly motivated group who have known nothing but success at the high school level and are committed to continuing that success at Rice," he added.
The class includes seven incoming freshmen (Michael Amey III, Tyvon Byars, D'Andre Hardeman Jr., Payton Matthews, Semaj Pierre, Robert Rooks, and Will Swartz) who will enroll in January to participate in Abell's first set of spring drills with the Owls after being named the 20th head football coach on November 26.
While seven new Owls have completed their seasons, five will be in action this weekend in pursuit of state titles.
CJ Witten and his Argyle Liberty Christian teammates will face off against Dallas Parish Episcopal at 7 p.m. for the TAPPS DI title.
Three future Owls will continue their pursuit of 6A state titles on Saturday. Cole Alberding and Allen will face North Crowley in the 6A D1 Region 1 championship, Hardeman and North Shore will face Atascocita in the 6A D1 Region 3 title game, and Matthews and Harlan will meet Vandergriff for the Region 4 6A DII championship.
2024 RICE OWLS FOOTBALL EARLY SIGNEES
| NAME | POS | HT | WT | HOMETOWN (SCHOOL) |
| Colter Alberding | OL | 6-2 | 306 | Allen, Texa (Allen) |
| Michael Amey III | S | 5-11 | 181 | Missouri City, Texas (Hightower) |
| Erben Birkhoff | OL | 6-4 | 285 | Katy, Texas (Tompkins) |
| Tyvonn Byars | RB | 5-10 | 202 | Montgomery, Texas (Lake Creek) |
| D'Andre Hardeman Jr. | RB | 5-8 | 189 | Houston, Texas (North Shore) |
| Payton Matthews | WR | 5-11 | 175 | San Antonio, Texas (Harlan) |
| Semaj Pierre | WR | 5-8 | 158 | Port Arthur, Texas (Memorial) |
| Cole Principe | OL | 6-3 | 303 | Orange, California (Orange Lutheran) |
| Robert Rooks | DL | 6-1 | 261 | Petaluma, California (St. Vincent DePaul) |
| Will Swartz | TE | 6-4 | 237 | Huffman, Texas (Hargrave) |
| Ty Thames | LB | 6-3 | 204 | Wimberly, Texas (Wimberly) |
| CJ Witten | LB | 6-1 | 205 | Westlake, Texas (Liberty Christian) |
Colter Alberding OL 6-2 306 Allen, Texas/Allen
Second-team All-District 5-6A and honorable mention TSWA All-State as a junior at Allen for coach Lee Wiginton who will face off against North Crowley in the 6A D1 Region 1 championship game on Saturday… Father (Shawn) is the Eagles D-Line coach and three-year starting defensive end at Rice (1990-92)… Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300.
Michael Amey III S 5-11 181 Missouri City, Texas /Hightower
Second-team All-District 21-6A despite missing four games as a senior for coach Cornelius Anthony as the Hurricanes posted a 31-7 record during his three years as a starter… First-team all-district as a junior and was the district defensive newcomer of the year in 2022… Credited with 45 tackles, four pass breakups and three interceptions in his shortened senior season, and 140 tackles 15 breakups and 10 interceptions in his career… Also lettered in both track and baseball at Hightower and ran on the Hurricanes 4x200 relay which was an area finalist… Two-time Academic All-District selection as well… Great uncle is former heavyweight world boxing champion George Foreman.
Erben Birkhoff OL 6-4 285 Katy, Texas/Tompkins
Two-time, first-team All-District 19-6A selection for coach Todd McVey at Tompkins and helped spark the Falcons to the playoffs the last three years, first as a punter and kickoff specialist and then as a tight end before moving to the offensive line. Credited with 30 pancakes and 15 knockdowns as a senior… Only allowed one sack in his last two years… Second team all-district as a punter in his sophomore season after averaging 40.2 per punt… Honorable mention selection as a freshman punter… Played rugby for the Woodlands Rugby Club and was a team captain… Member of USA Rugby's U18 national team that traveled to Uruguay & Argentina last summer for three matches.
Tyvonn Byars RB 5-10 202 Montgomery, Texas / Lake Creek
A four-year standout for coach Patrick Kennedy at Montgomery Lake Creek High School, where he ran for 5,393 yards (7.4 per carry) and scored 106 touchdowns in his career… Rushed for 1,540 and 30 TDs as a senior… Lions were 24-2 in his sophomore and junior seasons and lost to eventual state champion Port Neches-Groves in the regional semifinals as a junior… Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 10 running backs in Texas… Vype All-Greater Houston Preseason second team… Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association 5A Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 as a sophomore and a first-team, all-state selection.
D'Andre Hardeman Jr. RB 5-8 189 Houston, Texas/North Shore
Two-year starter for coach Willie Gaston and North Shore, rushing for 3,682 yards and 8 touchdowns in his career as North Shore returns to the Region 3 championship game on Saturday against Atascocita… Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300… Vype All-Greater Houston Preseason first-team heading into his senior year… 2023 Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association 6A All-State selection as a junior as North Shore reached the state title game…All District 21-6A pick as a junior and a second team selection as a sophomore… 2021 6A DI state champion in his freshman year…National Honor Society and 2023 Academic Hall of Honor Inductee.
Payton Matthews WR 5-11 175 San Antonio, Texas/Harlan
Three-year starter and two-time all-district selection for coach Eddie Salas as the Hawks advanced for the first time to the Region 4 6A DII championship, where they will face Vandergriff on Saturday… He has 38 receptions for 619 yards and 11 TDs, 615 yards on the ground, and another five touchdowns in addition to throwing for a score… Has amassed 3,072 all-purpose yards in his career (1,978 receiving, 957 rushing and has a combined 37 career touchdowns and four touchdown passes… Three-time Academic All-District selection as well.
Semaj Pierre WR 5-8 158 Port Arthur, Texas/ Memorial
Caught 40 passes for 522 yards and three touchdowns as a senior for coach Brian Morgan and has caught 181 for 2,435 yards and 20 touchdowns in his career… District 8-5A D1 Offensive Newcomer of the Year as a junior… National Honor Society.
Cole Principe OL 6-3 303 Orange, California/Orange Lutheran
Three-year starter for coach Rod Sherman as the Lancers finished 8-4 in the Trinity League CIF southern section D1 which also featured St. John Bosco and Mater Dei… Also plays rugby and played on a state finalist squad.
Robert Rooks DL 6-1 261 Petaluma, California/St. Vincent DePaul
Four-year starter and 2024 Redwood Empire-Bay Defensive Player of the Year for coach Trent Herzog for the Mustangs, who won the 2023 6AA title and were the Redwood Empire– Bay league champions this past season… Credited with 74 tackles and eight sacks, along with three forced fumbles and three blocked kicks as a senior… Totaled 243 tackles, 22. 5 sacks, and eight forced fumbles in his career… Lineman of the Year in the league in 2023 and was named all-league on both sides of the ball as a sophomore in 2022… Also played soccer in 2022 and was named team MVP as well as lacrosse from 2021-23… AP Computer Science and AP English Language & Composition.
Will Swartz TE 6-4 237 Huffman, Texas/Hargrave
District 10-4A D1 Utility Player of the Year in 2024 and a three-time all-district selection, staring both as a tight end and defensive end for coach Joey Buchta as the Falcons finished 9-2 and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs… Had 25 receptions for 467 yards and six touchdowns on offense while being credited with 21 tackles for loss (seven sacks), four fumble recoveries (two for touchdowns) and an interception return for a score… Caught 54 passes in his career for 855 yards and ten touchdowns… Two-time all-district selection in baseball and a three-time district champ in the shot put as well… National Honor Society… Father (Tony) played at Arkansas.
Ty Thames LB 6-3 204 Wimberly, Texas / Wimberly
Defensive MVP of District 13-4A DII as a junior during Wimberly's march to the state semifinals as a junior. He will lead the Texans against Sinton on Friday night in the Region 4 Championship after guiding them to the state semifinals last year.
CJ Witten LB 6-1 205 Westlake, Texas / Liberty Christian
TAPPS DII All-state selection as a junior while leading the Warriors to the state title and playing for his father, former All-Pro tight end Jason Witten… Liberty Christian will play for the DI title against Dallas Parish Episcopal on Saturday night in Waco… Two-time All-State selection and two-time district defensive player of year… Credited with 109 tackles this season and has made 310 in his career… A member of Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 300… Two-time Academic All-State honoree and president of the student body.
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