Owls Add 18 on Signing Day
12/3/2025 8:26:00 AM | Football
16 from high school, 2 from junior college
HOUSTON- Dunlevie Family Head Football Coach Scott Abell announced on Friday the addition of 18 standouts who will join the Owls in 2026.
The initial group of additions to the roster features nine on offense (one quarterback, one running back, two slot receivers, one wide receiver, one tight end, and three linemen), eight on the defensive side of the ball (four linemen, two rush ends, and one linebacker and safety), and one kicker.
"We are so excited to announce our newest Owls in our FlightClub26 recruiting class," Abell said. "This group, which is the highest rated recruiting class in Rice Football history, has had incredibly successful high school football careers and are also some of the best scholar-athletes in the country. We are fired up for their futures on South Main. Go Owls!," he added.
The class includes six incoming freshmen (Seth Clarke, Tyler Lavallier, Clay Mitchell, Marcus Page Jr., JD Singletary, and Ayden Wilhelm) who will enroll in January to participate in spring drills. Last season, seven of the Owls' 2025 signing class participated in spring drills and played in a combined 47 games as true freshmen this past season.
While 12 new Owls have completed their seasons, four remain in pursuit of state titles:
One addition to the class (Brock Reddic from Kilgore CC) brings one game of experience in the American Conference after making his collegiate debut with Northwestern State against Tulsa in 2024.
Ayden Wilhelm QB 6-1 170 Lee's Summit, Missouri (Blue Springs South)
Two-time All-Suburban Gold selection and 2025 conference Offensive Player of the Year for coach Alan Wilmes at Blue Springs South, who led the Jaguars to the third round of the MSHSAA playoffs as both a junior and senior…. KC Examiner Player of the Year in 2024… Threw for 2,061 yards and 29 TDs as a senior and added 600 yards and five touchdowns on the ground…. Completed his career with 5,362 yards passing and 1,872 yards rushing and 74 total touchdowns… Father (Brent) helped lead Kansas to the College World Series in 1995 and played three years professionally in the White Sox organization… Mother, Cari, played softball and UMKC and his sister, Abigail, plays softball at Missouri…Two-time Academic All-State selection.
Dionne Sims RB 5-10 170 Humble, Texas (C.E. King)
A member of Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Top 300 and the Houston Chronicle's Top 100 who has led C.E. King to the 6A DII Region 3 final vs. Summer Creek on Friday night… Plays for Corey Laxen, who was an offensive lineman at Rice from 2002-05… Finalist for the Touchdown Club of Houston Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,440 yards so far this season… Has rushed for 3,282 yards in his career (8.7 per carry) and 43 touchdowns on the ground and added five more scores as a receiver… Rushed for 435 yards on 32 carries and scored five TDs in a 70-20 win over Atascocita and was named Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Built Ford Tough 6A Player of the week… Finalist for the Dave Campbell Texas Football's Whataburger Super Team.
Jai Jacobs-Ford SLOT 5-11 172 Gosnell, Arkansas (Gosnell)
Led Gosnell to back-to-back state playoff appearances, most recently under coach Chris Smith, and was on conference-winning teams as a freshman and again as a senior… Finished is career with 154 receptions for 2,896 yards, and 836 yards on the ground and scored a combined 37 touchdowns… Two-time, 4A 3 All-state selection heading into this season… Returned an interception 97 yards and also had a touchdown reception, featured on ESPN's 'You Got Mossed' segment… Conference champion in the high jump and triple jump, and was a member of Gosnell's 4x100 conference-winning relay.
Fisher Leftwich SLOT 6-1 185 Mount Airy, North Carolina (North Surry)
Led the Greyhounds to the second round of the 4A state championship under coach Austin Taylor… A preseason 4A All-State selection, he closed his football career with 101 receptions for 1,986 yards (19.7 per catch) and 25 touchdowns… Added 792 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground and finished with 3,093 all-purpose yards in 28 games.
Preston Jackson WR 6-0 175 Forney, Texas (Forney)
Helped spark Forney to a run to the Region 2 semifinals in 6A-D2, where the Jackrabbits lost to Willis… Closed his career with 82 receptions for 1,282 yards (15.6 per catch) and 16 touchdowns, and added 124 yards rushing…. Second-team All-District 10-6A selection as a junior for coach Jeff Fleener… Also a standout in track in the 100 and 200 meters… A member of PAL.
Colten Cole TE 6-3 235 Sulphur, Oklahoma (Sulphur)
Three-year standout for coach Corey Cole, looking to improve on the Bulldogs' runner-up finish in the 3A Championship… Sulphur will face Perkins-Tyron in the 3A semifinals on Friday… Has 21 receptions for 321 yards and four touchdowns this season and is 45-51, 2-2 on field goals and averaging 40.1 yards punting in his first year handling the kicking duties… Four-year starter in football, basketball, and baseball.
Leyonte Chandler OL 6-4 300 Euless, Texas (Trinity)
Two-year starter and three-year letterman for coach Aaron Lineweaver at Euless Trinity, where he earned second-team All-District 4-6A as a junior… Academic All-District.
Clay Mitchell OL 6-4 275 Sinton, Texas (Sinton)
A member of Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Top 300 who will lead Sinton into the 4A DII Region 2 championship game vs. Cuero on Friday night… Four-year starter for coach Michael Troutman at Sinton, who was named to the THSCA 4A Super Elite Team as a junior (joining 2025 Rice signee Ty Thames)…Second-team All-State (TSWA) as a junior… Earned second-team All-District 16 4A DII honors as a freshman and was named Lineman of the Year as a sophomore and junior… Allowed only one sack in 254 attempts in 13 games as a junior… All-District first baseman as a junior… Older brother Blake was the Royals' first round pick (8th overall) in the 2023 MLB Draft… Member of the National Honor Society and Sinton FFA.
Marcus Page Jr. OL 6-6 290 Forney, Texas (North Forney)
A member of Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Top 300 in his first year of playing football for coach Marcus Shavers… Had focused on basketball for most of his high school career… Finalist for the Dave Campbell Texas Football's Whataburger Super Team.
Ian Harrell DL 6-2 280 Huntsville, Alabama (Buckhorn)
Credited with 52 tackles, seven for loss (two sacks), nine hurries and one fumble recovery as a senior for coach David Green… Selected to the Alabama HS Athletic Association North-South All-Star Game, which will be played on December 12 in Mobile, Alabama.
Tyler Lavallier DL 6-1 300 Royal, Texas (Royal)
Limited to three games as a senior after earning All-District 10-4A DII honors as a junior for coach Theadis Reagins…Second-team pick as a sophomore and started as a freshman… Credited with 65 tackles, including eight sacks as a junior… Member of the Houston Chronicle's Top 100… Helped lead the Falcons to the playoffs as a sophomore and junior… A member of the National Honor Society, HOSA, Student Council, and BSU.
Quincy Tchikou DL 6-3 235 Cypress, Texas (Cy Ranch)
A member of Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Top 300 and the Houston Chronicle's Top 100… Enjoyed a standout senior season in his first year as a starter for coach William Blaylock as the Mustangs reached the Region 2 title game before falling to Waxahachie in overtime… Credited with 32 tackles, including 4.5 sacks and one pass breakup as a senior and with 54 tackles in his two seasons on the varsity.
Seth Clarke RUSH 6-2 237 Lawrence, New Jersey (The Hun School)
Two-year standout for coach Todd Smith… All New Jersey Prep First Team… Second on the team with 20 TFLs (nine sacks) among his 70 tackles, and finished his career with 110 career tackles, including 45 for loss (31 sacks)… Transferred to The Hun School as a junior after beginning his career at Monsignore Farrell in Staten Island, NY… Also played basketball at Farrell.
JD Singletary RUSH 6-2 220 Middletown, Ohio (Middletown)
All-State and two-time All Greater Miami Conference selection at Middletown for coach Kali Jones, who became the school career sack leader (35) while leading the Middies to their first appearance in the Division I state semifinals… Finished his career with 192 tackles (63 for loss) and 11 forced fumbles… Two-time 1st Team All-SW Ohio… National Honor Society.
Jayden Cupitt LB 6-1 220 Mansfield, Texas (Lake Ridge)
A member of Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Top 300… Team captain for coach Kirk Thor at Lake Ridge, which finished second to defending state champ North Crowley in District 3-6A and reached the Area championship in the playoffs before falling to Odessa Permian… Defeated Euless Trinity and fellow Rice recruit Leyonte Chandler to reach the second round… Credited with 120 tackles, including 18.5 for loss (7.5 sacks), 60 pressures, 20 QB hits, three PBUs and two forced fumbles while blocking both a punt and a field goal as a senior… A cousin of Chiefs WR Juju Smith-Schuster, Jordan Lockhart (Texas A&M), Tama Amisone (San Jose State), and Javon Sagapolutele (Cal).
Tommy Bauchiero K 5-11 180 Brentwood, Tennessee (Brentwood Academy)
Finalist for Kicker of the Year at the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards who has helped lead the Eagles to the Division II Class AAA title game vs. Baylor on Thursday night, their first appearance in the title game since 2018… Three-year starter for coach Paul Wade who has hit on 17 of 22 field goals in his career with a career-long of 59 yards and another from 58 yards… 8/11 this year, with a long of 58 yards while also taking over as the punter and averaging 45 yards per kick… Also lettered twice in soccer…
Brock Reddic DL 6-3 305 Longview, Texas (Kilgore CC)
Comes to the Owls from Kilgore CC after beginning his career at Northwestern State in 2023… Credited with 30 tackles, including 12 for loss (five sacks) for the Rangers… Posted a career-high nine tackles, including 1.5 sacks for a loss of nine yards vs. Cisco… First-team All-District 8-5A DII as a senior and the Pirates' most valuable lineman as a senior for coach Jason Bachman, helping guide Pine Tree to the playoffs… Four-year letterman in track and was a finalist in the shot put at the 5A track meet in 2024… Signed with Northwestern State and made his collegiate debut vs. Tulsa on 8/29/24… Saw action in four games to retain his redshirt and shared a tackle for loss vs. HCU for his first career tackle.
Dylan Stephens Jr. SAF 6-0 180 Dallas, Texas (Trinity Valley CC)
Joins the Owls from Trinity Valley, the same school that sent Jerrick Harper to the Owls last year… Credited with 18 tackles, four breakups, and one interception with the Cardinals…
The initial group of additions to the roster features nine on offense (one quarterback, one running back, two slot receivers, one wide receiver, one tight end, and three linemen), eight on the defensive side of the ball (four linemen, two rush ends, and one linebacker and safety), and one kicker.
"We are so excited to announce our newest Owls in our FlightClub26 recruiting class," Abell said. "This group, which is the highest rated recruiting class in Rice Football history, has had incredibly successful high school football careers and are also some of the best scholar-athletes in the country. We are fired up for their futures on South Main. Go Owls!," he added.
The class includes six incoming freshmen (Seth Clarke, Tyler Lavallier, Clay Mitchell, Marcus Page Jr., JD Singletary, and Ayden Wilhelm) who will enroll in January to participate in spring drills. Last season, seven of the Owls' 2025 signing class participated in spring drills and played in a combined 47 games as true freshmen this past season.
While 12 new Owls have completed their seasons, four remain in pursuit of state titles:
- Tommy Bauchiero and Brentwood Academy will play for the Tennessee DII Class AAA title on Thursday night.
- Colten Cole and Sulphur HS will play Perkins-Tyron on Thursday, looking to return to the Oklahoma AAA championship game.
- Clay Mitchell and Sinton will face Cuero in the 4A D2 Region 4 title game with a berth in the semifinals on the line.
- Dionne Sims and C.E. King will meet Summer Creek on Friday in the 6A DII Region 3 championship game, looking to advance to the state semifinals.
One addition to the class (Brock Reddic from Kilgore CC) brings one game of experience in the American Conference after making his collegiate debut with Northwestern State against Tulsa in 2024.
| RICE OWLS FOOTBALL 2025 DECEMBER SIGNEES | ||||
| NAME | POS | HT | WT | HOMETOWN / HS / PREVIOUS SCHOOL |
| HIGH SCHOOL | ||||
| Ayden Wilhelm | QB | 6-1 | 170 | Lee's Summit, Missouri (Blue Springs South) |
| Dionne Sims | RB | 5-10 | 170 | Humble, Texas (C.E. King) |
| Jai Jacobs-Ford | SLOT | 5-11 | 172 | Blytheville, Arkansas (Gosnell) |
| Fisher Leftwich | SLOT | 6-1 | 185 | Mount Airy, North Carolina (North Surry) |
| Preston Jackson | WR | 6-0 | 175 | Forney, Texas (Forney) |
| Colten Cole | TE | 6-3 | 235 | Sulphur, Oklahoma (Sulphur) |
| Leyonte Chandler | OL | 6-4 | 300 | Euless, Texas (Trinity) |
| Clay Mitchell | OL | 6-4 | 275 | Sinton, Texas (Sinton) |
| Marcus Page Jr. | OL | 6-6 | 290 | Forney, Texas (North Forney) |
| Ian Harrell | DL | 6-2 | 280 | Huntsville, Alabama (Buckhorn) |
| Marcus Page Jr. | OL | 6-6 | 290 | Forney, Texas (North Forney) |
| Tyler Lavallier | DL | 6-1 | 300 | Royal, Texas (Royal) |
| Quincy Tchikou | DL | 6-3 | 235 | Cypress, Texas (Cy Ranch) |
| Seth Clarke | RUSH | 6-2 | 237 | Lawrence, New Jersey (The Hun School) |
| Jayden Cupitt | LB | 6-1 | 220 | Mansfield, Texas (Lake Ridge) |
| Tommy Bauchiero | K | 5-11 | 180 | Brentwood, Tennessee (Brentwood Academy) |
| JUNIOR COLLEGE | ||||
| Brock Reddic | DL | 6-3 | 305 | Longview, Texas (Kilgore CC) |
| Dylan Stephens | SAF | 6-0 | 180 | Dallas, Texas (Trinity Valley CC |
Ayden Wilhelm QB 6-1 170 Lee's Summit, Missouri (Blue Springs South)
Two-time All-Suburban Gold selection and 2025 conference Offensive Player of the Year for coach Alan Wilmes at Blue Springs South, who led the Jaguars to the third round of the MSHSAA playoffs as both a junior and senior…. KC Examiner Player of the Year in 2024… Threw for 2,061 yards and 29 TDs as a senior and added 600 yards and five touchdowns on the ground…. Completed his career with 5,362 yards passing and 1,872 yards rushing and 74 total touchdowns… Father (Brent) helped lead Kansas to the College World Series in 1995 and played three years professionally in the White Sox organization… Mother, Cari, played softball and UMKC and his sister, Abigail, plays softball at Missouri…Two-time Academic All-State selection.
Dionne Sims RB 5-10 170 Humble, Texas (C.E. King)
A member of Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Top 300 and the Houston Chronicle's Top 100 who has led C.E. King to the 6A DII Region 3 final vs. Summer Creek on Friday night… Plays for Corey Laxen, who was an offensive lineman at Rice from 2002-05… Finalist for the Touchdown Club of Houston Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,440 yards so far this season… Has rushed for 3,282 yards in his career (8.7 per carry) and 43 touchdowns on the ground and added five more scores as a receiver… Rushed for 435 yards on 32 carries and scored five TDs in a 70-20 win over Atascocita and was named Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Built Ford Tough 6A Player of the week… Finalist for the Dave Campbell Texas Football's Whataburger Super Team.
Jai Jacobs-Ford SLOT 5-11 172 Gosnell, Arkansas (Gosnell)
Led Gosnell to back-to-back state playoff appearances, most recently under coach Chris Smith, and was on conference-winning teams as a freshman and again as a senior… Finished is career with 154 receptions for 2,896 yards, and 836 yards on the ground and scored a combined 37 touchdowns… Two-time, 4A 3 All-state selection heading into this season… Returned an interception 97 yards and also had a touchdown reception, featured on ESPN's 'You Got Mossed' segment… Conference champion in the high jump and triple jump, and was a member of Gosnell's 4x100 conference-winning relay.
Fisher Leftwich SLOT 6-1 185 Mount Airy, North Carolina (North Surry)
Led the Greyhounds to the second round of the 4A state championship under coach Austin Taylor… A preseason 4A All-State selection, he closed his football career with 101 receptions for 1,986 yards (19.7 per catch) and 25 touchdowns… Added 792 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground and finished with 3,093 all-purpose yards in 28 games.
Preston Jackson WR 6-0 175 Forney, Texas (Forney)
Helped spark Forney to a run to the Region 2 semifinals in 6A-D2, where the Jackrabbits lost to Willis… Closed his career with 82 receptions for 1,282 yards (15.6 per catch) and 16 touchdowns, and added 124 yards rushing…. Second-team All-District 10-6A selection as a junior for coach Jeff Fleener… Also a standout in track in the 100 and 200 meters… A member of PAL.
Colten Cole TE 6-3 235 Sulphur, Oklahoma (Sulphur)
Three-year standout for coach Corey Cole, looking to improve on the Bulldogs' runner-up finish in the 3A Championship… Sulphur will face Perkins-Tyron in the 3A semifinals on Friday… Has 21 receptions for 321 yards and four touchdowns this season and is 45-51, 2-2 on field goals and averaging 40.1 yards punting in his first year handling the kicking duties… Four-year starter in football, basketball, and baseball.
Leyonte Chandler OL 6-4 300 Euless, Texas (Trinity)
Two-year starter and three-year letterman for coach Aaron Lineweaver at Euless Trinity, where he earned second-team All-District 4-6A as a junior… Academic All-District.
Clay Mitchell OL 6-4 275 Sinton, Texas (Sinton)
A member of Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Top 300 who will lead Sinton into the 4A DII Region 2 championship game vs. Cuero on Friday night… Four-year starter for coach Michael Troutman at Sinton, who was named to the THSCA 4A Super Elite Team as a junior (joining 2025 Rice signee Ty Thames)…Second-team All-State (TSWA) as a junior… Earned second-team All-District 16 4A DII honors as a freshman and was named Lineman of the Year as a sophomore and junior… Allowed only one sack in 254 attempts in 13 games as a junior… All-District first baseman as a junior… Older brother Blake was the Royals' first round pick (8th overall) in the 2023 MLB Draft… Member of the National Honor Society and Sinton FFA.
Marcus Page Jr. OL 6-6 290 Forney, Texas (North Forney)
A member of Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Top 300 in his first year of playing football for coach Marcus Shavers… Had focused on basketball for most of his high school career… Finalist for the Dave Campbell Texas Football's Whataburger Super Team.
Ian Harrell DL 6-2 280 Huntsville, Alabama (Buckhorn)
Credited with 52 tackles, seven for loss (two sacks), nine hurries and one fumble recovery as a senior for coach David Green… Selected to the Alabama HS Athletic Association North-South All-Star Game, which will be played on December 12 in Mobile, Alabama.
Tyler Lavallier DL 6-1 300 Royal, Texas (Royal)
Limited to three games as a senior after earning All-District 10-4A DII honors as a junior for coach Theadis Reagins…Second-team pick as a sophomore and started as a freshman… Credited with 65 tackles, including eight sacks as a junior… Member of the Houston Chronicle's Top 100… Helped lead the Falcons to the playoffs as a sophomore and junior… A member of the National Honor Society, HOSA, Student Council, and BSU.
Quincy Tchikou DL 6-3 235 Cypress, Texas (Cy Ranch)
A member of Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Top 300 and the Houston Chronicle's Top 100… Enjoyed a standout senior season in his first year as a starter for coach William Blaylock as the Mustangs reached the Region 2 title game before falling to Waxahachie in overtime… Credited with 32 tackles, including 4.5 sacks and one pass breakup as a senior and with 54 tackles in his two seasons on the varsity.
Seth Clarke RUSH 6-2 237 Lawrence, New Jersey (The Hun School)
Two-year standout for coach Todd Smith… All New Jersey Prep First Team… Second on the team with 20 TFLs (nine sacks) among his 70 tackles, and finished his career with 110 career tackles, including 45 for loss (31 sacks)… Transferred to The Hun School as a junior after beginning his career at Monsignore Farrell in Staten Island, NY… Also played basketball at Farrell.
JD Singletary RUSH 6-2 220 Middletown, Ohio (Middletown)
All-State and two-time All Greater Miami Conference selection at Middletown for coach Kali Jones, who became the school career sack leader (35) while leading the Middies to their first appearance in the Division I state semifinals… Finished his career with 192 tackles (63 for loss) and 11 forced fumbles… Two-time 1st Team All-SW Ohio… National Honor Society.
Jayden Cupitt LB 6-1 220 Mansfield, Texas (Lake Ridge)
A member of Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Top 300… Team captain for coach Kirk Thor at Lake Ridge, which finished second to defending state champ North Crowley in District 3-6A and reached the Area championship in the playoffs before falling to Odessa Permian… Defeated Euless Trinity and fellow Rice recruit Leyonte Chandler to reach the second round… Credited with 120 tackles, including 18.5 for loss (7.5 sacks), 60 pressures, 20 QB hits, three PBUs and two forced fumbles while blocking both a punt and a field goal as a senior… A cousin of Chiefs WR Juju Smith-Schuster, Jordan Lockhart (Texas A&M), Tama Amisone (San Jose State), and Javon Sagapolutele (Cal).
Tommy Bauchiero K 5-11 180 Brentwood, Tennessee (Brentwood Academy)
Finalist for Kicker of the Year at the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards who has helped lead the Eagles to the Division II Class AAA title game vs. Baylor on Thursday night, their first appearance in the title game since 2018… Three-year starter for coach Paul Wade who has hit on 17 of 22 field goals in his career with a career-long of 59 yards and another from 58 yards… 8/11 this year, with a long of 58 yards while also taking over as the punter and averaging 45 yards per kick… Also lettered twice in soccer…
Brock Reddic DL 6-3 305 Longview, Texas (Kilgore CC)
Comes to the Owls from Kilgore CC after beginning his career at Northwestern State in 2023… Credited with 30 tackles, including 12 for loss (five sacks) for the Rangers… Posted a career-high nine tackles, including 1.5 sacks for a loss of nine yards vs. Cisco… First-team All-District 8-5A DII as a senior and the Pirates' most valuable lineman as a senior for coach Jason Bachman, helping guide Pine Tree to the playoffs… Four-year letterman in track and was a finalist in the shot put at the 5A track meet in 2024… Signed with Northwestern State and made his collegiate debut vs. Tulsa on 8/29/24… Saw action in four games to retain his redshirt and shared a tackle for loss vs. HCU for his first career tackle.
Dylan Stephens Jr. SAF 6-0 180 Dallas, Texas (Trinity Valley CC)
Joins the Owls from Trinity Valley, the same school that sent Jerrick Harper to the Owls last year… Credited with 18 tackles, four breakups, and one interception with the Cardinals…
Players Mentioned
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