By Chase Porter
Staff Writer
Coppell football has fostered many student athletes, with the latest being senior defensive end Tanner Rice, who will be attending the prestigious Air Force Academy next fall to play football.
Rice is a veteran player that has been playing on the varsity team for three years now for the Coppell Cowboys and will be starting on the defensive line for the rest of the season. Tanner averages multiple tackles a game and contributes as a leader on the field and in the class room.
Coach Steve Fex, the Cowboys line coach said, “Tanner is definitely a leader in the class room and on the field by leading by example but he has become more vocal as he has been able to gain the respect of everyone on the field so now he is more of a vocal leader during the games.”
Rice’s decision process was difficult due to a high interest level from a number of schools. These schools include Minnesota, Houston, Kansas State, Navy and Army. It was his visit to Air Force over this past summer that allowed him to feel comfortable with the program, and after talking with his coaches and family, he made his decision this past week.
Coppell head coach Joe McBride was also involved in the decision process by answering many of Rice’s questions about what to look for in a program. In the end, Rice’s decision did not come as much of a shock to the coach.
“I was not surprised by his decision because he is a good player and a good student. He has become a leader on the field and in the class room,” McBride said.
When he attends the Air Force Academy next fall he will be playing defensive line again but he says he will play anywhere the team needs him. Most of the players on Air Force for this season are either juniors or seniors on the offensive and defensive lines, and Tanner and the other recruits will be desperately needed.
“I committed there because of the opportunities that the Air Force opens up for me,” Rice said.
There are many opportunities for students who attend the Academy such as going into active duty as a pilot or commercial pilot, law school, business school and a chance to travel the world. Rice on the other hand said that he would prefer to be more on the business side of the Air Force. He explained to me that he would like to be a base manager which coordinates troops and supplies and is more of a business man than a sort of pilot.
Being a base manger also will help him in being a business man in the real world because many jobs hire people straight out of the military because of their leadership and work ethic.
The Coppell High School football team also has some more star players getting looks for college play. Senior Cam McDaniel has been getting looks from many schools such as Stanford, because of his productivity at the running back position. Senior quarterback Joe Minden is also being looked at for college ball and will probably be receiving offers by the end of the season. Senior safety Bennett Okotcha has committed to the University of Wisconsin.
While Rice may not be a starter right away for the Falcons, Coppell’s all-district defensive end has proven his ability throughout his tenure with the Cowboys. Due to this, it is easy for people in Coppell to envision success down the line for Rice as he continues his football career at the Air Force Academy.
