Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Four Owls Named to Shrine Bowl Preseason 1000
7/24/2024 1:22:00 PM | Football
HOUSTON – Dean Connors, Ethan Onianwa, Josh Pearcy, and Gabriel Taylor have been named to the East-West Shrine Bowl Preseason 1000.
Every year, approximately 1,000 all-star game eligible players are drafted, signed after the draft, or attend a rookie mini-camp. The aim is for this Shrine Bowl 1000 to serve as a look into the scouting process, as well as begin to preview college players who are currently all-star game eligible for the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl and 2025 NFL Draft class.
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.
Onianwa anchored the right side of the Owls' offensive line, starting all 13 games and matching Brant Banks for the most offensive snaps with 836.
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.
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).
The East-West Shrine Bowl is a best-in-class all-star event that will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington,TX on January 30, 2025. Our players will be coached by NFL coaches, in an NFL facility, and will have access to NFL-level resources, facilities, player-friendly schedules, and opportunities at the highest level. For more information about the 2025 game, you can visit this link.
Every year, approximately 1,000 all-star game eligible players are drafted, signed after the draft, or attend a rookie mini-camp. The aim is for this Shrine Bowl 1000 to serve as a look into the scouting process, as well as begin to preview college players who are currently all-star game eligible for the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl and 2025 NFL Draft class.
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.
Onianwa anchored the right side of the Owls' offensive line, starting all 13 games and matching Brant Banks for the most offensive snaps with 836.
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.
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).
The East-West Shrine Bowl is a best-in-class all-star event that will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington,TX on January 30, 2025. Our players will be coached by NFL coaches, in an NFL facility, and will have access to NFL-level resources, facilities, player-friendly schedules, and opportunities at the highest level. For more information about the 2025 game, you can visit this link.
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