Photo by: Maria Lysaker - Rice Athletics
Record 13 Owls Named to Athlon Preseason All AAC Team
6/18/2024 4:46:00 PM | Football
Connors and Taylor named to first team
Dean Connors and Gabriel Taylor lead a list of 13 Rice Owls named to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-AAC Team currently appearing in Athlon's 2024 College Football issue.
Connors was named to the first team as an all-purpose back while Taylor was selected as a safety. Offensive tackle Brant Banks was named to the second team offense while Myron Morrison and Josh Pearcy were named to the defensive team. Wide receiver Landon Ransom-Goelz and tight end Boden Groen were joined on the third team by Sean Fresch, who was selected as both a cornerback and punt returner. Transfer quarterback E.J. Warner is joined on the fourth team by wide receiver Rawson MacNeill, transfer defensive lineman Charlie Looes, safety Plae Wyatt, and kick returner Quinton Jackson.
The 13 players are the most for Rice since the magazine began naming preseason all-conference teams in 2011, surpassing the 12 Owls selected before the 2013 season.
Connors enjoyed a breakout season in 2023, leading the Owls in rushing (771 yards), rushing touchdowns (7), and all-purpose yards (1,189) while also catching 43 passes for 403 yards and three scores. His average of 6.4 yards per carry was the highest for a Rice running back with at least 100 carries since Thomas Lott Jr. averaged 6.4 in 2005 (140/902). He closed the season strongly, rushing for 591 yards on 80 carries over his last seven games, and scored a pair of touchdowns in the First Responder Bowl, the first Owl with multiple rushing touchdowns in a bowl game since Dicky Maegle in the 1954 Cotton Bowl.
Taylor earned honorable mention All-AAC honors from conference coaches after recording 59 tackles and 10 passes defended, with two interceptions and eight breakups. He enters 2024 as the Owls' active leader with seven interceptions, and his 178 career interception return yards rank eighth in school history).
Banks started all 13 games last season, playing 845 snaps, and was named to Phil Steele's All AAC fourth team at the end of the year. Morrison was a team captain in 2023 and was an honorable mention All-AAC honoree from league coaches while totaling 80 tackles and playing a career-best 682 snaps. Pearcy who has served as a co-captain the past two years, earned honorable mention All-AAC honors from the coaches after reaching career highs with six quarterback hits, 18 hurries and 26 total pressures.
Ransom-Goelz was named the Owls' top freshman last season after posting a team-leading 14.6 yards per catch on 26 receptions (380 yards) and three touchdowns. Groen ranked second among AAC tight ends with 39 receptions, third with 383 yards, and fifth with three touchdowns, and his 39 receptions rank sixth on the Rice single-season list for tight ends. Fresch posted career highs in tackles (50) tackles for loss (3/17), sacks (1/9) as well as punt returns (16), and punt return yards (160). He has a career average of 10.1 yards on 35 career returns.
MacNeill tied for fourth on the team with 26 receptions and 379 yards and caught at least one in 10 of 13 games while making six starts. Looes was a finalist for the Bushnell Cup as the Ivy League defensive player of the year, earning Division I All-New England Team and All-Ivy League honors after recording 43 tackles and 7.5 sacks. Wyatt led the Owls with a career-high 81 tackles while starting all 13 games last year. Jackson led the team and was fourth in the AAC with a 23.12 average on 17 kickoff returns (398 yards). His 398 kick return yards were the most by an Owl since Austin Walter had 491 in 2018.
The Owls open their 2024 season by hosting Sam Houston on August 31 at Rice Stadium, with kickoff set for 6 p.m.
Season ticket packages for the 2024 season start at $139 per seat, providing fans with the best value for their money and a family-friendly viewing experience at college football's highest level. Those interested in purchasing season tickets should secure their seats now by visiting RiceOwls.com/24FBTix or calling (713) 348-OWLS (6957).
Connors was named to the first team as an all-purpose back while Taylor was selected as a safety. Offensive tackle Brant Banks was named to the second team offense while Myron Morrison and Josh Pearcy were named to the defensive team. Wide receiver Landon Ransom-Goelz and tight end Boden Groen were joined on the third team by Sean Fresch, who was selected as both a cornerback and punt returner. Transfer quarterback E.J. Warner is joined on the fourth team by wide receiver Rawson MacNeill, transfer defensive lineman Charlie Looes, safety Plae Wyatt, and kick returner Quinton Jackson.
The 13 players are the most for Rice since the magazine began naming preseason all-conference teams in 2011, surpassing the 12 Owls selected before the 2013 season.
Connors enjoyed a breakout season in 2023, leading the Owls in rushing (771 yards), rushing touchdowns (7), and all-purpose yards (1,189) while also catching 43 passes for 403 yards and three scores. His average of 6.4 yards per carry was the highest for a Rice running back with at least 100 carries since Thomas Lott Jr. averaged 6.4 in 2005 (140/902). He closed the season strongly, rushing for 591 yards on 80 carries over his last seven games, and scored a pair of touchdowns in the First Responder Bowl, the first Owl with multiple rushing touchdowns in a bowl game since Dicky Maegle in the 1954 Cotton Bowl.
Taylor earned honorable mention All-AAC honors from conference coaches after recording 59 tackles and 10 passes defended, with two interceptions and eight breakups. He enters 2024 as the Owls' active leader with seven interceptions, and his 178 career interception return yards rank eighth in school history).
Banks started all 13 games last season, playing 845 snaps, and was named to Phil Steele's All AAC fourth team at the end of the year. Morrison was a team captain in 2023 and was an honorable mention All-AAC honoree from league coaches while totaling 80 tackles and playing a career-best 682 snaps. Pearcy who has served as a co-captain the past two years, earned honorable mention All-AAC honors from the coaches after reaching career highs with six quarterback hits, 18 hurries and 26 total pressures.
Ransom-Goelz was named the Owls' top freshman last season after posting a team-leading 14.6 yards per catch on 26 receptions (380 yards) and three touchdowns. Groen ranked second among AAC tight ends with 39 receptions, third with 383 yards, and fifth with three touchdowns, and his 39 receptions rank sixth on the Rice single-season list for tight ends. Fresch posted career highs in tackles (50) tackles for loss (3/17), sacks (1/9) as well as punt returns (16), and punt return yards (160). He has a career average of 10.1 yards on 35 career returns.
MacNeill tied for fourth on the team with 26 receptions and 379 yards and caught at least one in 10 of 13 games while making six starts. Looes was a finalist for the Bushnell Cup as the Ivy League defensive player of the year, earning Division I All-New England Team and All-Ivy League honors after recording 43 tackles and 7.5 sacks. Wyatt led the Owls with a career-high 81 tackles while starting all 13 games last year. Jackson led the team and was fourth in the AAC with a 23.12 average on 17 kickoff returns (398 yards). His 398 kick return yards were the most by an Owl since Austin Walter had 491 in 2018.
The Owls open their 2024 season by hosting Sam Houston on August 31 at Rice Stadium, with kickoff set for 6 p.m.
Season ticket packages for the 2024 season start at $139 per seat, providing fans with the best value for their money and a family-friendly viewing experience at college football's highest level. Those interested in purchasing season tickets should secure their seats now by visiting RiceOwls.com/24FBTix or calling (713) 348-OWLS (6957).
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