Rice University Athletics
2026 Spring Roster
Roster
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Jersey Number 23
Payton Matthews
- Height:
- 5-11
- Weight:
- 180
- Class:
- Sophomore
- Hometown:
- San Antonio, Texas
- High School:
- Harlan
Pronunciation Guide
2025
True freshman who took on an increasing role as the season progressed, catching four passes for 93 yards and setting up the Owls’ touchdown in the Armed Forces Bowl with a career-best 54-yard completion from Patrick Crayton Jr. … Made his debut vs. Prairie View and caught his first career pass vs. Florida Atlantic (10 yards)… Added his second catch (13) yards against UTSA in his return home to San Antonio… Had one catch for 16 yards vs. North Texas… Played 209 snaps on offense, 111 of them in the final four games, capped by 32 against Texas State.
Harlan HS
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 44 receptions for 708 yards and 12 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 38 career touchdowns and four touchdown passes… Three-time Academic All-District selection as well.
Personal
Full name: Payton James Matthews… Born: February 27… Parents: Troy and Jnett Matthews… Rice College: Lovett
Lovett College
2025
True freshman who took on an increasing role as the season progressed, catching four passes for 93 yards and setting up the Owls’ touchdown in the Armed Forces Bowl with a career-best 54-yard completion from Patrick Crayton Jr. … Made his debut vs. Prairie View and caught his first career pass vs. Florida Atlantic (10 yards)… Added his second catch (13) yards against UTSA in his return home to San Antonio… Had one catch for 16 yards vs. North Texas… Played 209 snaps on offense, 111 of them in the final four games, capped by 32 against Texas State.
Harlan HS
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 44 receptions for 708 yards and 12 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 38 career touchdowns and four touchdown passes… Three-time Academic All-District selection as well.
Personal
Full name: Payton James Matthews… Born: February 27… Parents: Troy and Jnett Matthews… Rice College: Lovett
Lovett College
WBB: Rice vs. Marshall Postgame Presser
Wednesday, March 09
VB: Rice-Texas Postgame Presser
Saturday, December 04
VB: Rice-San Diego Postgame Presser
Thursday, December 02
