Photo by: Shane Banegas
Three Honored by Phil Steele
1/3/2025 5:20:00 PM | Football
Taylor named to second team
Safety Gabriel Taylor was joined by fellow Rice defensive back Sean Fresch and running back Dean Connors in being named to Phil Steele's All-American Athletic Conference team.
Taylor was named to the second team, while Connors and Fresch were named to the fourth team.
Taylor led the Owls with 57 tackles and three interceptions and tied for the team lead with 10 passes defended while also registering a career-best three sacks and seven tackles for loss. His three interceptions raised his career total to 10, which matches Jason Hebert for the seventh-best total in school history. He was an honorable mention honoree by AAC coaches in the Owls' first season in the conference in 2023.
Connors led the Owls in rushing (780 yards), touchdowns (11), rushing touchdowns (9), and all-purpose yards (1,265) and was second with 62 receptions and receiving yards (485). His 62 receptions were the most by a running back in the country in the regular season, and he set Rice career running back records for receptions (113) and receiving yards (912).
Fresch tied for third on the team with a career-best 52 tackles while tying Taylor the team lead with 10 passes defended. In the Owls' 29-27 win over UTSA, Fresch was credited with a career-high 11 tackles, broke up a pass, and chipped in on offense with his first career reception to 40 yards to set up the Owls' third touchdown.
Taylor was named to the second team, while Connors and Fresch were named to the fourth team.
Taylor led the Owls with 57 tackles and three interceptions and tied for the team lead with 10 passes defended while also registering a career-best three sacks and seven tackles for loss. His three interceptions raised his career total to 10, which matches Jason Hebert for the seventh-best total in school history. He was an honorable mention honoree by AAC coaches in the Owls' first season in the conference in 2023.
Connors led the Owls in rushing (780 yards), touchdowns (11), rushing touchdowns (9), and all-purpose yards (1,265) and was second with 62 receptions and receiving yards (485). His 62 receptions were the most by a running back in the country in the regular season, and he set Rice career running back records for receptions (113) and receiving yards (912).
Fresch tied for third on the team with a career-best 52 tackles while tying Taylor the team lead with 10 passes defended. In the Owls' 29-27 win over UTSA, Fresch was credited with a career-high 11 tackles, broke up a pass, and chipped in on offense with his first career reception to 40 yards to set up the Owls' third touchdown.
Players Mentioned
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