Ty Thames brings size, special-teams juice, and rising LB upside to Rice
In the 2025 season, Ty Thames flashed as a true freshman for Rice, making an immediate special-teams impact with a team-leading 184 special-teams plays and earning a growing defensive role as the year went on. At 6-foot-3 and 214 pounds, he has the frame and range teams like in a modern linebacker, and the buzz is that he’s a high-effort, versatile defender with room to grow. His tape-and-role profile says “future contributor,” especially if your team values physicality, special-teams value, and developmental upside over instant headline stats.
