Tag: Brenden Rice

USC’s Brenden Rice named one of top five players with most to gain at NFL combine

Brenden Rice has a lot to gain, says one NFL draft outlet.

Brenden Rice, son of NFL legend Jerry Rice, has been making a name for himself in college football. Brenden Rice is stepping out of his father’s immense shadow. Beginning at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona, where he was recognized as a 3-star recruit, Brenden committed to the University of Colorado, showing promise in his freshman year with limited playing time. He transferred to USC after his sophomore season.

Rice was second on the Trojans in 2023 with 45 catches for 791 receiving yards. He led the team with 12 touchdown receptions. Pro Football Focus graded Rice with an overall mark of 77.8 in 2023.

Rice was listed along with North Carolina’s Tea Walker, Oregon QB Bo Nix, Auburn DB Carlton Johnson, and Penn State CB, Kalen King as players with the most to gain at the NFL combine, where the media frenzy surrounding top players such as USC’s Caleb Williams has already begun. The top five list came from The Draft Network.

The 2024 NFL scouting combine is underway in Indianapolis. The 2024 NFL draft is scheduled for April 25-27 in Detroit.

Visit our friends at Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, and Ducks Wire. Follow our newest sites, UW Huskies Wire and UCLA Wire.

49ers meet with Jerry Rice’s son in least surprising combine meeting of all-time

The #49ers met with Jerry Rice’s son, Brenden, at the combine. Because how could they not?

In perhaps the least-shocking news of the NFL draft season, the 49ers have met with Jerry Rice’s son Brenden at the NFL combine. Rice told reporters about the meeting at his combine press conference.

Prior to entering the NFL draft, the younger Rice spent four years in college including two at Colorado and two at USC. His final two seasons, which he spent with the Trojans, were his best.

Rice at Colorado posted 419 yards and five touchdowns on 27 catches in 17 games. At USC he saw those numbers jump to 39 receptions for 611 yards and four touchdowns in his first season. His second and final season was his best though when he put up 791 yards and 12 touchdowns on 45 catches.

The low reception totals and high touchdown totals are indicative of the type of prospect Rice is. He’s a big-bodied (6-2, 212 pounds) receiver who doesn’t create enough separation to earn consistent targets. On the other hand, he has enough athleticism to take the top off a defense and is good enough in contested catch situations to be a consistent red zone threat.

“Man, I was ecstatic just to go ahead and go back and forth with some of the topics,” Rice said. “How I can get better, how I can contribute to the 49ers’ team, and just be a part of what my dad left a legacy at.”

Whether Rice is ultimately a fit for the 49ers’ receiving corps will depend on whether the team’s front office and coaching staff believe he can eventually develop into a a more dynamic pass-catching option. If that’s the belief in their building, and if they think he’ll be a good enough blocker to be on the field on any down and distance, we could see another Rice in red and gold in 2024.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Brenden Rice looks ahead to NFL combine and the pro game

Brenden Rice is ready for the challenge of a lifetime.

It’s one thing to be the son of a Hall of Fame football player who is regarded by many as the greatest receiver to ever play the game. It’s another thing to be the son of that Hall of Fame athlete and make a full attempt to do the same job he did in the world of professional football. Brenden Rice is the son. Jerry Rice is the father. Brenden wants to give it a go in the NFL and see what he can do as a professional wide receiver. Jerry was the best to ever do it. Brenden is only just beginning to learn how to carry himself as an NFL player-in-training, hoping that a team will draft him and give him the right fit.

With Jerry’s longtime team, the San Francisco 49ers, playing in this year’s Super Bowl last week, Brenden Rice was interviewed in the lead-up to the game. It would be amazing if he landed with the 49ers, but what matters is how well he can evolve so that he becomes a fully-formed and ultimately successful pro. We wish Brenden Rice the best as he pursues his NFL dream.

Visit our friends at Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, and Ducks Wire. Follow our newest sites, UW Huskies Wire and UCLA Wire.

Vikings 2024 NFL draft scouting report: USC WR Brenden Rice

USC WR Brenden Rice is the son of Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice and shined at USC in 2023. Does Brenden’s NFL Draft stock reflect his lineage?

Welcome to SKOL Search!

This series will be your guide to the 2024 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.

The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at quarterback, running back, defensive line and edge rusher. We will also focus on wide receiver since it’s a loaded class and an increased chance to get a Stefon Diggs-type steal in the later rounds.

The Vikings are slated to have 9 picks going into the NFL draft and they need to make the most out of them.

Secret superstars of the Senior Bowl, Day 1

The potential gems of the Senior Bowl are making themselves known. Here are the Secret Superstars of Day 1’s practices.

MOBILE, Alabama — The unofficial starting point in the NFL Draft season is the Senior Bowl down here in Mobile.

Practices began Tuesday with a hodgepodge of media, scouts, and agents in attendance to watch the next potential crop of NFL talent begin to be planted. While many names are expected to be taken on the first two days of the draft, multiple players are fighting for a chance at recognition to get a shot with an NFL team. These secret superstars stuck out on Tuesday and could see their names rise up draft boards

Notes and observations from Day 1 2024 Senior Bowl practices

Notes and observations from Day 1 2024 Senior Bowl practices: Battles between the offensive and defensive lines impress right away

With the 2024 NFL draft on the horizon, the NFL world has gathered in Mobile, Ala. this week for the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl. Teams will be watching how some of the top draft-eligible players across the country perform as they compete against each other in practices leading up to the all-star game.

The first day of practices are always interesting. Players and coaches are just getting to know each other, so it’s more of a light practice. Here is our notebook for the day from both the National and American Team practices:

11 takeaways from National team Senior Bowl practice day 1

Vikings Wire Tyler Forness gives insight on day one of practice for the Reese’s Senior Bowl’s National Team

The road to the NFL Draft has started as the Reese’s Senior Bowl is underway in Mobile, Alabama this week. Vikings Wire Managing Editor Tyler Forness has boots on the ground in Hancock-Whitney Stadium, home of the South Alabama Jaguars, giving us a first-hand look at the prospects who hope to live out their dreams as NFL players in April. 

For some, it’s a foregone conclusion that they will hear their names called as the draft rolls around. For others, they will have to earn that right. Forness will give us his insights as this week of practice goes along and highlight names that fans of all teams, not just the Minnesota Vikings, should keep their eye on. 

We start with the National Team, who ended their practice Tuesday morning.

Brenden Rice: NFL draft Senior Bowl profile

Brenden Rice tries to impress NFL scouts at the Senior Bowl.

USC wide receiver Brenden Rice, the son of Hall of Fame NFL receiver Jerry Rice, is heading for the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. He is one of the most complete receivers in the 2024 NFL draft.

Rice caught 791 yards of passes and scored a team-leading 12 touchdowns for USC in the 2023 regular season, both of which were career highs.

Rice, who joined USC ahead of the 2022 season after spending two seasons at Colorado, has 1,402 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns in two seasons with the Trojans.

Pros:

— Great spatial awareness near the sideline and understanding of zone coverage and defensive tendencies

— Rice has elite hands, rarely uses his body to make the catch, and has very strong hands to take ball from defenders

— His large frame gives him ample advantage on 50/50 balls and he’s great catching in traffic

— Very agile; uses his shiftiness to escape defenders and get open over the middle

— Solid run blocker for his slender build

— Very good speed and short-burst quickness

Cons:

— Despite excellent measurables, Rice is seldom seen creating yards of separation via routes or physical gifts

— Not a great downfield separator

— Should work on release moves, uses his shiftiness

— Limited route tree

Rice is an exciting evaluation thanks to his obvious bloodlines as the son of Jerry Rice, a Hall of Famer and arguably the greatest receiver of all time.

What Brenden Rice lacks in the nuance and route running his dad excelled in, he makes up for with dominant physical traits.

Rice can win at all three levels of the field and has the athleticism and body type to make a career as an outside receiver in a variety of offensive systems.

Rice is my WR10 in a loaded receiver class that features Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Johnny Wilson, Keon Coleman, Xavier Worthy, AD Mitchell, Ladd McConkey, Tez Walker, Troy Franklin, Roman Wilson and many more. I expect he will go early on Day 3 in Round 4. He could potentially sneak into the very end of Day 2 as a late-third-round pick.

Visit our friends at Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, and Ducks Wire.

2024 Senior Bowl preview: Wide receiver

From Ladd McConkey to Malachi Corley and Devontez Walker, the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl wide receiver roster is loaded with talent.

One of the most important events on the National Football League calendar is the Senior Bowl. Held the week after the conference championship games, it is the true beginning of the NFL draft cycle.

Not only do scouts and analysts like us get to see over 100 draft prospects in one place competing against each other, but it’s also an opportunity for analysts and personnel alike to get together and have discussions about a number of topics.

As we look forward to this year’s Senior Bowl, managing editor Tyler Forness will be there in person to break everything down.

We will be breaking down each position group and what to look for throughout the week. Here is the wide receiver position.

Other previews:

Quarterbacks
Running backs
Tight end

Brenden Rice is featured in 2024 Senior Bowl Preview

Brenden Rice gets ready for his Senior Bowl opportunity.

Brenden Rice came a long way at USC.

We noted this late in the 2023 season:

“Brenden Rice was struggling midway through his 2022 season at USC. Rice, the son of football legend Jerry Rice, was dropping passes left and right, a source of annoyance for fans and coaches alike. It was legitimate to question whether Rice would make a meaningful impact at USC.

“To Rice’s great credit, he stuck with the plan and worked harder to improve himself. The drops receded. Rice made important plays late in the season. Then, in the Cotton Bowl against Tulane — the game made infamous by an implosion from Alex Grinch’s defense — Rice had a star turn for USC. He delivered an absolutely spectacular performance with acrobatic catches and huge plays in high-leverage situations.”

Here’s a Senior Bowl preview show with Rice as part of the program. It will be fascinating to see how much Rice can elevate his 2024 NFL draft stock in the Senior Bowl game:

https://www.youtube.com/live/I0YVq4lyLXs?si=zVdM1yJI6x93ksCD

Visit our friends at Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, and Ducks Wire.