Rice fall camp notes: ‘slot’ position, linebacker update, Wisne v. NCAA

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Fall camp is officially underway in South Main.

The Rice Owls are three weeks away from their 2026 home opener against FCS opponent Houston Christian, gearing up for year two under head coach Scott Abell. Here are several developments from the Owls’ fall camp practices:

‘Slot’ position

One position unique to Scott Abell’s gun choice offense is the ‘slot’ — essentially a hybrid running back/receiver role who frequently engages in pre-snap motions. Last season, Aaron Turner held down the role with a team-highs 63 receptions (26 more than anyone else on the roster), 398 receiving yards, and 259 rushing yards.

This year, the ‘slot’ position may not be belong to one player. Instead, Rice might turn to a committee.

Premier candidates include Virginia transfer Davis Lane, Wake Forest transfer Ben Grice, Holy Cross transfer Max Mosey, and redshirt freshman Colin Leahey. Lane boasts the most FBS experience in the room with 24 appearances at Virginia, where he registered 40 rushing yards on offense and six tackles on special teams. His versatility was a major factor which piqued Abell’s interest during the transfer portal window.

“I’m always intrigued by high school quarterbacks,” Abell said. “As I looked on UVA’s roster, he led them in tackles on special teams. He was their third running back and played safety in his career. I’m like, okay, jack of all trades. That’s what our slots are. They’re hybrid guys. They’re running backs, receivers — jack of all trades.”

Lane said the Owls’ coaching staff and the opportunity to provide greater impact were significant factors leading him to from Virginia to Rice. There was an adjustment period in learning Rice’s option-based offense — particularly when it came to open-field blocking — but Lane is embracing his expanded role in a new setting.

“It’s been an adjustment for sure, but it’s been fun,” Lane said. “The position I’m playing now, you really gotta be a football player to make stuff happen. I’ve enjoyed blocking, running routes, all of that has been fun.”

Machado out; Combs in

One of Rice’s most significant transfer additions this offseason was seventh-year senior inside linebacker Jesus Machado. Machado suited up for Tulane from 2020-24, posting 40 tackles for the 2022 Cotton Bowl champion Green Wave and a team-high 98 tackles in 2023. However, he suffered a torn ACL in the 2023 Military Bowl, causing him to miss the entirety of the 2024 season.

Machado transferred to Houston in 2025 where he reunited with head coach Willie Fritz. In his return from his ACL injury, he played 51 special teams snaps and 15 defensive snaps across four games before entering the transfer portal in October. He committed to Rice in January and was expected to serve as a key contributor in the Owls’ revamped defense. That plan is now on hold.

Machado, nicknamed “Zues,” is currently being denied a seventh year of eligibility by the NCAA. He is attempting to receive a redshirt for playing only four games in 2025, after previously receiving a COVID-related redshirt in 2020 and a medical redshirt for missing the entire 2024 campaign.

“Right now the Zues situation is out of our hands and Zues’ hands,” Abell said. “We’re preparing to be without him, and we’re preparing to be with him. We knew mid-summer that this was going to be a possibility. We want Zues back. There is no doubt. But it’s out of our hands. So we’re at the mercy of the courts and the NCAA.”

Rice, however, has a contingency plan. The Owls added two former Nevada linebackers, Stone Combs and Austin Harnetiaux, during the summer. Combs ranked second on Nevada with 74 tackles last season, while Harnetiaux added 37, and both could assume significant roles on defense, especially if Machado remains unavailable.

“We’ve got a lot of guys getting reps,” Abell said. “We were able to add an addition in Stone Combs. We added him into the roster. Austin (Harnetiaux) joined this summer, also from Nevada. So we’ve got answers there.”

2025 team captain returns

On July 31, U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney made a ruling that could reshape college football rosters. The verdict of this case, Wisne v. NCAA, extended a fifth year of eligibility to all high school athletes who graduated in the class of 2022.

Although the NCAA plans to appeal, the ruling has already prompted several programs — including but not limited to Arizona and UCF — to return previously-graduated players back for the 2026 season. Rice is joining that company.

Tight end Micah Barnett, a 2025 team captain, has returned to fall camp in the aftermath of the ruling. According to Abell, Barnett has seamlessly transitioned back into football shape, thanks in large part to his role with the program prior to the ruling.

“He was really prepared,” Abell said. “He was with us all summer, interned as a strength intern, so he worked out all summer. He’s a machine. He’s really ready.”

Barnett primarily plays tight end and previously lined up at fullback prior to Abell’s arrival. But the head coach hinted that the potential fifth-year senior could see snaps at linebacker, a position he previously played.

“I can see him getting a taste on both sides,” Abell said.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos