Rice gets a rangy, physical linebacker in Jayden Cupitt
In the 2026 recruiting cycle, Jayden Cupitt arrives at Rice as a 6-1, 224-pound freshman linebacker from Lake Ridge, bringing a strong frame, verified top-end explosiveness, and the versatility to play both LB and DB at the high-school level. Reports on his commitment describe him as a quick, versatile defensive piece who can play outside linebacker in Rice’s system, while his 2023 varsity production included 100 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, and 1 pass breakup. He looks like a fit for a defense that values speed, range, and interchangeable pieces rather than a one-note thumper.
