In the 2024 NFL Draft, Brenden Rice was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the seventh round. This moment marked a significant milestone in Rice's football career, as he had worked tirelessly to showcase his skills and earn a spot on an NFL team.
Rice, the son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, had big shoes to fill but was determined to make a name for himself in the league. His speed, agility, and natural talent on the field caught the attention of Chargers' scouts, leading to his selection in the draft.
The son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, the NFL’s all-time receiving and touchdowns leader, Brenden Rice began his college career at Colorado before emerging over the past two seasons at USC. He was a second-team All-Pac 12 receiver in 2023, catching 45 passes for 791 yards and a team-best 12 touchdowns while playing with quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick of the Chicago Bears.
Brenden Rice had flown to Dallas to attend the funeral of his best friend, Keith Miller III, when the pick was made.
Brenden Rice started his college career at Colorado in 2020 and was named the Buffaloes’ freshman of the year in a COVID 19-shortened season that lasted six games. In 2021, he had 21 receptions for 299 yards with three touchdowns. Rice returned kicks that season, too.
Lance Zierlein compared Rice to Titans receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who overcame low expectations as an undrafted free agent to carve out a career for himself in Nashville. Even if he isn't the most fleet of foot, Rice has better bloodlines and the size to compete in the NFL in the right situation.
He'll receive that opportunity with the Chargers, who are in the midst of rebuilding their receivers room with the selections of Rice and Georgia's Ladd McConkey.
Brenden Rice was tabbed as a mid-to-late round pick but was not expected to last until the seventh round. The Chargers also drafted wideout Ladd McConkey in the second round Friday. He won't have to relocate far from where he finished his college career by landing with the Chargers.
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