Mesquite Horn 2024 DL Armstrong Nnodim (6'1, 245) committed to Rice over offers from Arkansas State, UIW and UTSA. 

"When I stepped on the Rice campus, all the coaches showed nothing but love, especially Coach (Cedric) Calhoun and (Marco) Regalado," Nnodim said. "Not only the coaches but the players were also showing much love. I felt that brotherhood as our conversation grew more."

Mesquite Horn head coach Courtney Allen believes that Rice is a perfect fit for Nnodim as he brings it on and off the field daily. 

"We got to talk about what a phenomenal person he is first," Coach Allen said. "The teammate he is. The leader he is. It is infectious. You can feel him in the room." 

"We talk about his football prowess, but he is an excellent student. He is an A honor roll guy. Every nine weeks, we don't even have to blink. We know he is going to be on there. He takes care of his business."

Nnodim is one of the state's most physically imposing specimens and a monster in the weight room. 

His 455-pound bench and 675-pound squat are both records at Mesquite Horn. 

The three-star defensive lineman has experience playing end and is being recruited to Rice at the 'Rush' position. 

"Attitude," Coach Allen said when breaking down his game. "And he plays with a motor. I watched him get better week to week, and he's got that motor going. He plays well against the run, and he sacks quarterbacks, so I am glad we got him on our team."

"I think sky's the limit for him."

As a junior, Nnodim collected 69 tackles, 16 sacks (school record), 18 tackles for a loss and two INTs (both returned for TDs) to earn 10-6A Defensive MVP honors.