RB Charles Ross: If SEC fans do not know who Charles Ross is, they soon will. In fact,
just pull the film on the Owls’ game against Texas A&M this season, where he had 131
offensive yards and three touchdowns. For the season, he has 1,252 rushing yards and
14 touchdowns. He will be looking to leave a lasting impression on NFL scouts in his
final game for Rice.
QB Taylor McHargue: McHargue is dangerous with both his feet
and his arm. He has thrown for 2,261 yards and rushed for 466
yards, while scoring 22 total touchdowns. He also had a solid game
against Texas A&M earlier in the season with 258 yards and two
touchdowns. It was also only one of three games where McHargue
completed over 60 percent of his passes.
CB Phillip Gaines: The Owls have an exceptional defense, and it would not be
possible without the play of their corners. They play mostly man-to-man defense even in
nickel and dime situations. This allows them to put seven in the box to stop the run and
hurry the quarterback. They can do this because of the talent they have in the
secondary led by future NFL player Phillip Gaines. He led the nation in pass deflections
last season, and Gaines is a future NFL defensive back. The all-conference recipient
was targeted 40 times this season and allowed just 13 completions.
DT Christian Covington: When your father is the Canadian Football League’s all-time
leader in sacks, the standard is high. However, Covington has not disappointed. The
sophomore was all-conference this season with 51 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and four
sacks. Covington did all of this despite wearing a heavy cast four games this season.
C Nate Richards: Very few know Richards by name, but he is a key contributor to
Rice’s success over the past two seasons. He’s anchored the Owls' offensive line since
joining the squad from Trinity Valley Community College and has made 26 consecutive
starts while leading a line that has allowed Rice to lead the conference and rank 16th in
the nation in rushing (240.2 per game).