In a matter of one nine-hour period, David Bailiff’s 2018 class at Rice literally doubled in size.
Prior to Friday morning, only five pledges were on board and as of Friday evening, Rice’s current 2018 crop is up to 10 members courtesy of some key additions.
The festivities began at 10:00 a.m. with three-star Coppell quarterback Brady McBride announcing his commitment to Rice.
Committed! Thank you to my parents and Jesus Christ! pic.twitter.com/vfCMGhNsfC
— Brady McBride (@_bradymcbride_) June 16, 2017
By 12:00 p.m., Friday had become a multiple-commitment day for Bailiff and the Owls with Fort Worth All Saints Episcopal outside linebacker Luke Brockermeyer’s pledge.
https://twitter.com/LBrockermeyer/status/875759777825075200
Less than an hour and a half had passed before San Antonio Alamo Heights offensive tackle Walker Hankinson followed suit and committed, siding with the Owls over offers such as SMU, UTSA and Yale.
Verbally committed to continue my football and academic career at Rice University #goowls #totalpackage @CoachVinklarek @CoachBailiffFB pic.twitter.com/VbSFE7gjf6
— Walker Hankinson (@WalkerHankinson) June 16, 2017
Fast-forward a few hours and at 3:16 p.m., San Antonio Churchill offensive tackle Ryan Booth kept the momentum going by joining his fellow San Antonio offensive lineman with his commitment to Rice.
I'd like to thank my family, coaches, teammates and above all, God for giving me this opportunity. I am verbally committed to Rice! #GoOwls pic.twitter.com/LPYvHr7KWR
— Ryan Booth (@ryanbooth__) June 16, 2017
The tremendously successful day on the recruiting front wrapped up just moments before 7:00 p.m. with three-star Cibolo Steele running back Brenden Brady committing to Rice, as well, giving the Owls three recruiting victories from the San Antonio-area in one day.
https://twitter.com/BrendenBrady25/status/875865446955847681
More notably, Friday not only saw Rice’s 2018 class double in size, but with Brady and McBride on board, the Owls added their No. 1 and No. 3 highest ranked commits to the mix, respectively.
Friday served as the cherry on top of what’s been a considerably impressive week for Bailiff and his staff. Prior to Friday’s surge of pledges, Sugar Land Kempner cornerback Jordan Oliver committed on Thursday.
https://twitter.com/jordannoliver/status/875500311833718785
Days earlier on Monday, three-star Waxahachie Life High School weak-side defensive end Joshua Sanders and Bishop Dunne cornerback Jason White pledged, sparking what became an eight-commitment week.
https://twitter.com/Jdotsauce_/status/874372644958851072
In a matter of one week, Bailiff and his staff added 80 percent of what’s currently a 10-man class, hauling in eight pledges in six days and five in a single day. That’s no small feat, especially against college football heavyweights and numerous revered recruiters within the state’s borders. Following this week’s explosion of commitments, Rice’s 2018 class now ranks No. 63 nationally and No. 2 in C-USA, trailing just Louisiana Tech.
The question going forward now becomes whether or not this week was a sign of things to come for the Owls, or if Rice’s recruiting fortunes peaked in mid-June.
Stay tuned; the week isn’t over just yet.
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