Rice

What You Need To Know

No team in the country lost more fantasy talent than the Rice Owls.  QB Chase Clement, the top fantasy QB in 2008, graduates.  As does the uber-talented TE James Casey and WR Jarrett Dillard.  The Owls also lose offensive coordinator Tom Herman, who jumped ship for Iowa State.

Michigan transfer Sam McGuffie practiced this spring, but cannot play until the 2010 season.

Also of note, contrary to ESPN and other sources on the internet, RB C.J. Ugokwe has graduated and isn’t playing football.  Cross him off your cheat sheets.

Best Fantasy Prospect(s)

WR Toren Dixon caught 50 balls for 598 yards and 5 scores last year.  With Casey and Dillard leaving (a combined 198 catches for 2,600 yards and 33 touchdowns), Dixon’s numbers should receive a nice boost.

Sleeper Prospect

Tight ends Vance McDonald and Tyler Wardlow will look to fill the large void left by James Casey.  McDonald has only been on campus for one semester but is said to be a star in the making.  Senior Wardlow as paid his dues and also had a nice spring.  Don’t expect either to be “the next Casey” in 2009, but they could become viable fantasy tight ends.

Biggest Question Heading into August

Who will win the QB job?  Our contacts tell us Nick Fanuzzi is the slight leader for the gig, ahead of John Thomas Shepherd and Ryan Lewis.  If the Alabama-transfer comes out in August and picks up where he left off, he should be the starter.

How about the running back position?  With Ugokwe graduating, the job is open.  Senior Jeramy Goodson began the spring as the likely starter, but by the end of camp Tyler Smith had surged into the No. 1 role.  Incoming freshman Charles Ross could change the depth chart when he arrives on campus this summer.  He could be the most talented option of the bunch.

Spring Game Hero

Fanuzzi completed 6 of 8 passes for 136 yards and three scores.  Torey Dixon caught a 75-yard TD pass from Fanuzzi and finished with 90 yards on three snags. Tyler Smith lead all rushers with six carries for 62 yards.

Injury Report

Nothing major to report.

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