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Hans Rice plans to attend OM/Memphis game
Story URL: http://mississippi.scout.com/2/783276.html

Yancy Porter
OMSpirit.com

Aug 26, 2008

Last season the Eufaula product collected 87 tackles, 8 for losses, 2 sacks, 2 recovered fumbles, and 3 interceptions at linebacker while playing at 175 pounds. This year, he hopes the added weight will help him take on the blockers better.

"I am up to 200 now," added Hans Rice. "This offseason has been about me taking on my blocks better. Coach Harris showed me some new techniques. That was really my only concern. I have always been a good open field player. Now I am ready to see how much I have improved when we play Dothan Friday in our season opener."

The weight issue has led some schools to take a wait and see approach.

"Auburn has been coming on strong. They are really the only new school to start showing me a lot of interest, well them and Arkansas. Coach Willis at Auburn told me that there is a good chance that I am going to get an offer in the middle of the season. That is what Vandy told me too, but then they ended up offering me. A lot of the schools want to see how much weight I can put on. I started out at 175, and I have worked myself up to 200 pounds. I am just over 6' 3", so it has been good weight that I have put on. Most of the schools are telling me that is the only issue they have with me. They just want to see how much bigger I can get."

For a number of schools, the weight issue is not a problem.

"I have already been offered by Ole Miss, Vandy, North Carolina State, and Central Florida."

Hans recently set up one unofficial and official visit.

"Most likely, I am going up to Ole Miss this weekend to see them play Memphis, and I am going on an official visit to Central Florida when they play South Florida."

Rice was suppose to take in the Rebel's senior camp but the plans fell through at the last minute.

"The thing with me is that Ole Miss was really strong, but my mom never got to see the campus. I am 60% of the decision and my mom is 40%. My mom plans on going with me this weekend to Ole Miss though. I am not going to make my decision until my mom sees the school first. I talked to Coach Dickerson about it, and he knows the situation. There is about a 70 - 80 chance I will be there this weekend with my mother."

Who is coming after Rice the hardest?

"Probably the top three would be Vandy, North Carolina State, and Central Florida."

What stands out about Vandy?

"Overall, they have a good education program in sports medicine (carries a 3.9 GPA/24 ACT), plus it is an SEC school. I also have a good relationship with Coach Belin. The biggest thing is that he does not tolerate profanity. I do not either."

Central Florida?

"I like the location because it is separated from the city, so you do not have to worry about the crime."

N.C. State?

"The thing I like about State is that Coach McCullan is real into it. It is not all about business with him. He is down to earth and goes out of his way to establish a personal relationship with you."

What about Auburn?

"I like Auburn because of their location and the number of big games they play in. My family could see me play if I went to Auburn."

And Ole Miss?

"The thing I like about Ole Miss is that it is far enough from home where I feel like I am away from home, but at the same time, it is close enough where my parents can still come see me play. I just want to get away from home and experience life outside of Alabama."

Does Rice have a good feel for any of the campuses that he is interested in?

"I think I have a pretty good feel for Auburn's and Alabama's campuses. I went to Ole Miss' Jr Day, but I have not been there enough to really know the campus yet. Hopefully this weekend will give me a better feel."