May 12, 2024, 3:44 PM ET
Brenden Rice explained the reason that made his famous father angry when the college recruiting event that took him to the Chargers ended
COSTA MESA — The member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Jerry Ricehe was not at all happy at the end of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Your son, Brenden Ricea wide receiver from USCwas projected as a mid-round pick by multiple mock drafts, and according to the head coach of Los Angeles Chargers, Jim Harbaughthe franchise had a third- to fourth-round grade on him.
Brenden Rice revealed some differences in playing style between him and his famous father, Jerry Rice. Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images
But, Brenden Rice He wasn’t chosen until the seventh round, the 32nd wide receiver to be selected out of 35 overall. Rice He said his draft position disappointed him and angered his father.
“My father was hot,” he revealed Rice, 22 years old, with a smile. “You guys have a certain image, like… the humble guy, don’t you? Me, it’s like, ‘Wow no, let’s take this to the next level. These guys are going to feel us.'”
It was a particularly emotional day for Rice, who attended his best friend’s funeral the day he was drafted. He said that he received the call from Chargers while at an airport dallas on my way to The Angels.
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“It was like a blessing from God, because he allowed me to go and mourn the death of my friend,” he admitted. Rice“and then just move on and be happy, and it was a glorious day.”
The frustration of falling to the seventh round was short-lived, according to Rice, for the team that chose him. The Chargers They lost their two best wide receivers in the offseason, trading Keenan Allen and freeing Mike Williamsleaving them with just one wide receiver who owns at least 1,000 receiving yards: DJ Chark Jr.who achieved it in 2019 and who signed with the club at the beginning of this month.
That, along with the quarterback Justin Herbertconverts to The Angels in a favorable spot for a rookie wide receiver, more than any other club. Rice He said he was very aware of it.
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“I’m in the best possible position to move forward and leave my mark and create my own legacy,” he said. “Pass of Caleb Williams a Justin Herbertand I am in a group that will allow me to compete day by day.
“It’s all on me, so if you guys don’t see me in the fall, that’s on me. And if you guys see me out there, then I put in the work necessary to get there and produce.”
At 6 feet 3 inches and 208 pounds, Rice provides to the Chargers a physical target for deep balls. He led USC with 14.6 air yards per pass directed in 2023, and seven of his 12 touchdown catches came on vertical routes, tied for the most in the FBS. His strengths differ significantly from those of his father, who, as he noted, Brendenwas a smoother route runner than the physical wide receiver he is.
As far as who was the best player at this point in their careers, Rice He mentioned that this is still open to debate.
“I feel like we’re neck and neck. I’m faster, and I heard that his rookie season in the NFL It wasn’t good,” he said. Rice about his father, who had 49 catches for 927 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games as a rookie. “I have to go get over it.”
2024-05-12 19:44:00
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