Brenden Rice, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, is ready to prove himself in the NFL after being selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the seventh round of the draft. Despite the disappointment of not being picked earlier, Rice is determined to make the most of his opportunity.
“My dad was hot,” Rice said about the draft process. “He said, ‘Time to go to work.’ He said, ‘I will be with you every step of the way.’ It’s going to be one hell of a story.”
Rice, who transferred from Colorado to USC, showed his skills as a physical receiver and route runner during his time with the Trojans. Now, he is looking forward to playing alongside quarterback Justin Herbert and making an impact for the Chargers.
Chargers assistant general manager Chad Alexander praised Rice for his explosive plays and ability to stretch the field vertically. With the team in need of receiving options, Rice has a chance to prove himself and earn a spot on the roster.
Rice and the rest of the Chargers’ draft class are currently participating in rookie minicamp, where they are getting up to speed with the team’s system. Coach Jim Harbaugh is impressed with the preparation of the rookies and is focused on integrating them into the team quickly.
As Rice embarks on his NFL journey, he is determined to show that he belongs in the league and is ready to make a name for himself separate from his famous father.