Rice recruiting class focuses on speed

HOUSTON The focus shifts from offseason to offseason, with roster evaluations influencing the intended targets on the recruiting trail. But in some years perspectives take on macro views, with an overriding program philosophy taking precedent over specific needs at tailback or tackle. The results of years of defensive futility suggested to Rice coach David Bailiff that the Owls had to get faster across the board. There were positions targeted to be sure, but his primary need was speed. Described as the "fastest class from top to bottom" he's ever signed, Bailiff announced 24 newcomers on national signing day, including a collection of defensive backs he hopes will bolster a burgeoning unit. "All these safeties and corners tackle in space; they've very physical," Bailiff said. "They're hard-hitting, and that's where this game is going. You've got to have those guys that have the ability to operate in space, especially in Conference USA with the space the offenses are creating. "You look at the issues that we've had and it's usually a speed issue. We've got to continue to get faster. The game has changed so much with the spread (offense) you almost need to play with four corners. That's how the game's evolving, and we've got to keep up with the game." Although Rice lost only two defensive backs of note, corner Chris Jammer and safety Xavier Webb, Bailiff deemed it necessary to build depth in an already loaded secondary. Led by Cedar Park safety Zach Espinosa, the Owls signed six defensive backs. Espinosa comes with the highest regard, spurning Arizona and Missouri to join the Owls. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Espinosa offers the size and speed he runs a 4.49 40-yard dash - required of the position. He is the younger brother of Texas guardcenter Dominic. Interestingly, all three out-of-state recruits will join the secondary. Cornerback Garrett Fuhrman (Lansing, Mich.) was one of 20 members of this class to attend the Owls' junior camp. Cornerback J.T. Blasingame hails from Mays High in Atlanta. Bailiff said Justin Carter, a 6-foot, 195-pound safety from Hoover, Ala., is a potentially "special player for us." "We knew, too, that this year we were going to have a lot of scholarships to work with and we thought this was one of the few times where we really need to go outside the state to do that," Bailiff said. "(Receivers coach) Billy Lynch had recruited Atlanta before. (Cornerbacks coach) Chris (Thurmond) had been through Alabama. They brought us a lot of potential, prospective student-athletes. It's fabulous and wonderful that they did that." Like Blasingame and Fuhrman, cornerbacks Michael Warren (Frankston) Darrion Pollard (Gilmer) stand 5-foot-9. That's a smallish lot, but Warren and Pollard run sub-4.45 40s, which is rather swift. In Trinity Valley center Nate Richards (6-4, 305) the Owls addressed a specific need and signed their first junior college recruit under Bailiff. A second team NJCAA All-American, Richards initially signed with Central Arkansas out of Keller High. With Rice having graduated two centers responsible for every snap over the past three seasons, Keshawn Carrington and Eric Ball, Richards fills a huge void for the 2012 season. "Nate was really important to us because he has started at a junior college and got snaps in a college football game," Bailiff said. "He's an experienced center, and that's something we needed when Eric Ball graduated early." The Owls also stocked up on two talented tight ends, Reid Mitchell (Pflugerville Hendrickson) and Connor Cella (Katy Taylor), both of whom were ranked among the top 10 in the state at their position. Espinosa is one of five signees offered by schools from automatic-qualifying conferences. Desoto linebacker Alex Lyons (Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas State) made some Texas top 100 lists. Klein Collins quarterback Tyler Stehling (Arizona, Colorado, Louisville) possesses a strong arm and deceptively nimble feet. Converse Judson receiver Dennis Parks (Minnesota, Texas Tech) gives the Owls needed size on the perimeter. San Antonio McArthur tailback Darik Dillard (Northwestern) is the brother of former Owls All-American receiver Jarett Dillard. He has excelled off the field as well as on it, finishing with 5,000-plus all-purpose while also thriving in basketball and serving as a treasurer for the National Honor Society. Dillard was a student peer, a tutor, and earned decorations for his artwork and state architecture competitions. "If you look at all he's accomplished, you want to talk about a young man that's a poster child for Rice football," Bailiff said. "He wants to come here and he wants to be an architect. He's a total package young man. "Darik made it very clear to all of us, to his family, to the coaching staff, that this was going to be his decision and that he was going to do what's best for him. Through the process he decided that Rice was the best fit." Follow me on Twitter at FSH_Owls