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The quarterback position will see a competition between two transfers in Jacurri Brown (UCF) and Gael Ochoa (UNLV). Brown has some starting experience, three games at Miami and two at UCF, and has thrown for 878 yards and rushed for 823 yards. These numbers are a good combination in this option offense.
The running back room returns production in Quinton Jackson, D’Andre Hardeman, and Tyvonn Byars. Jackson was an All-AAC performer last season rushing for just under 1,000 yards. Byars is a great downhill threat, rushing for 6.7 yards per carry last season.
The wide receiver room returns some production in Payton Matthews, Braylen Walker, and tight end James Falk. Watch out for redshirt freshmen Jordan Clark, Colin Leahey, and Keenan Arcega-Whiteside. The additions of Davis Lane Jr. (Virginia), Barry Jackson Jr. (Cincinnati), Max Mosey (Holy Cross), Ben Grice (Wake Forest), and tight end Preston Zinter (Notre Dame) provide more playmakers for this unit.
The offensive line room returns experience in Nate Bledsoe, Cullen Witt, Patrick Valent, Cole Principe, Luke Miller, Luke Needham, Payton Farmer, and Justin Michaelis. The additions of Leo Bluhm (Yale) and Scott Becker (Princeton) provide plenty of experience of their own.
The defensive line room returns experience in Joseph Mutombo, Aquantis Clemmons, Matthew Aribisala, Dillan Batts, Christopher Clark-Jolivet, and Chibby Nwajuaku. The additions of Tariq May (Eastern Washington) and Brock Reddic (JUCO) provide even more depth for this unit.
The linebacker room returns some experience in Beau Barton, Cooper King, and Ty Thomas. The additions of Jesus Machado Jr. (Houston) and Austin Hurnetiaux (Nevada) provide much needed game reps for this unit. They will absolutely be utilized.
The secondary returns experience in Jo Chavez, Jerrick Harper, and Daveon Hook. The additions of Kyren Condoll (Duke), AJ Brown (UAB), Koa Akui (Sacramento State), Jamir Benjamin (UCLA), Caden VerMaas (Nebraska), Zach Cody (Coastal Carolina), Tariq Watson (UAB), and Dylan Stephens (JUCO) will all play major roles.
Kicker Enock Gota returns and has been consistent throughout his time in Houston. Punting duties will belong to Kent State transfer Charlie Durkin, who has tons of experience and a strong leg.
Scott Abell did a very solid job in Year 1 guiding the Owls to a bowl game. His style and system fit well at Rice and he is a fantastic coach. The Owls lose over 50 players to graduation and the portal, so there will be plenty of new faces, The offense must move the chains and sustain drives better this season.
