After a successful college football career, Jerry Rice’s son — WR Brenden Rice — declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Rice first played for Colorado before transferring to USC, where his skill set shined throughout in his final two seasons of college football. In his 2023 breakout campaign, Rice averaged 17.6 yards per catch and scored a touchdown on over 25 percent of his catches.
Let’s take a look at how Rice performed at the NFL Combine and what his scouting report looks like.
Brenden Rice’s Impressive NFL Combine Performance
Being the son of arguably the greatest receiver ever came with lofty and unfair expectations for the younger Rice by default. Despite this, he measured and tested well at the Combine.
How Fast Is Rice?
The 22-year-old receiver ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, which was about on schedule with what most analysts expected from him. Rice’s 40-yard dash put him in the 53rd percentile in direct comparison to his peers at the receiver position.
Brenden Rice (son of Jerry), logs a 4.51 40 pic.twitter.com/tcEQBbEaXK
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) March 2, 2024
While Rice’s 40-yard dash might not have jumped off the page for NFL general managers, his athleticism was still on display throughout his college career with big-time production every time he caught the football.
How Old Is Rice?
Born March 18, 2002, Rice turned 22 years old just one month before the NFL Draft.
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Because of his spring birthday, Rice will not turn 23 years old until he gets ready for his second season in the NFL.
Rice’s Latest Scouting Report
While his 40 time does not jump off the page, Pro Football Network draft analyst Ian Cummings explains in his scouting report that Rice is already a legitimate vertical threat with an elite mix of size, length, and speed.
While the official 40 time might not have shown it, he explodes upfield and has the reach and strength to pry through physical defenders. Further, Cummings explains in the scouting report that one of Rice’s best traits is his reliability as an off-script outlet for QBs.
“Playing with Caleb Williams, he gained a sharp awareness in off-script situations,” Cummings wrote. “He routinely made himself available for Williams, shaking DBs with unpredictable movements, and attacked the football when it came his way.”
KEEP READING: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report of Brenden Rice
As a route runner, Rice can seek more consistency. He has the flexibility and acceleration to build upon his arsenal with proper coaching.
Overall, Rice has enough functionality to be a dynamic and rotational receiver early in his NFL career. He could grow into being a solid starter at the X-receiver spot.
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