Brenden Rice Bio
Brenden Khalil Rice is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Colorado and the University of Southern California before being drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft. Rice is the son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver in NFL history.
Early Life and Background
Brenden Khalil Rice was born on March 18, 2002, in Phoenix, Arizona. He grew up in the nearby city of Chandler, where he attended Hamilton High School. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and competing at roughly 208 pounds, Rice developed the physical profile that has defined his game at every level.
At Hamilton, Rice was a multi-sport athlete. He played wide receiver on the football team, competed on the basketball court, and ran as a sprinter on the track and field squad. That athletic versatility helped him earn a three-star recruit rating coming out of high school. On October 15, 2019, Rice announced his commitment to the University of Colorado Boulder, choosing the Buffaloes for his collegiate career.
Path to American Football
Rice made an immediate impression during his first two college seasons with the Colorado Buffaloes. As a freshman in 2020, he recorded 6 receptions for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns, giving Buffaloes fans an early glimpse of his playmaking potential. In 2021, he expanded his role, finishing the year with 21 receptions for 299 yards, while also contributing on special teams with 17 kickoff returns for 469 yards and adding 54 rushing yards on 6 carries.
On January 1, 2022, Rice entered the NCAA transfer portal in search of a new opportunity. Less than three weeks later, on January 18, 2022, he officially transferred to the University of Southern California to join the USC Trojans. After two seasons with the Trojans, on December 8, 2023, Rice announced his decision to forgo his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2024 NFL draft.
Brenden Rice Career
Early Career (2020-2021)
Rice began his college career with the Colorado Buffaloes in 2020 and spent two seasons developing his game in Boulder. He appeared in games immediately as a freshman, demonstrating the route-running and ball skills that had made him a coveted high school recruit. By his sophomore season, he had become a more complete contributor, working as a possession receiver, a kickoff returner, and an occasional ball carrier on jet sweeps and reverses.
USC Breakthrough (2022-2023)
At USC, Rice continued his development within one of the most pass-heavy offenses in college football. He spent the 2022 season adjusting to a new program, a new quarterback room, and a new conference schedule, then delivered a strong 2023 campaign. His most significant college honor came in 2023, when he was named Second-team All-Pac-12, recognizing his production and consistency at the receiver position.
That All-Pac-12 selection cemented Rice as a legitimate NFL prospect. Rather than return for a final season of eligibility, he declared for the 2024 NFL draft and joined a deep wide receiver class. His combination of size, bloodline, and verified college production drew attention from scouts evaluating Day 3 talent.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024)
The Los Angeles Chargers selected Rice in the seventh round, 225th overall, of the 2024 NFL draft. He made the team’s initial roster and appeared in three games during his rookie season, providing depth at the wide receiver position. His most extensive work came on special teams and in reserve offensive roles. On August 26, 2025, however, Rice was waived as part of the Chargers’ final roster cuts, ending his tenure in Los Angeles.
Practice Squad Journey (2025)
Following his release from the Chargers, Rice embarked on a busy stretch of practice squad moves during the 2025 season. On November 4, 2025, he signed with the New England Patriots’ practice squad, only to be released one week later on November 11. On November 18, 2025, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad, and was released by Seattle on December 2.
Just one day later, on December 3, 2025, Rice signed with the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad. With Las Vegas, he finally found stability. On January 5, 2026, the Raiders signed Rice to a reserve/future contract, a deal that allowed him to remain with the organization through the offseason program. The stability of that contract was short-lived, however, as Rice was waived by the Raiders on May 11.
Green Bay Packers Era (2026-Present)
Two days after being waived by Las Vegas, on May 13, 2026, Rice was claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers. He joined a Green Bay organization that had just completed a roster overhaul and was looking to add developmental pass-catching depth. Rice carries the No. 89 jersey and is listed as an active member of the Packers’ roster, where he will look to earn a more permanent role.
Driving Style and Strengths
Rice fits the profile of a large, possession-style wide receiver. He wins with his frame, his catch radius, and his ability to high-point the football in contested situations. His background as a sprinter and multi-sport athlete gives him the speed to stretch the field vertically, while his kickoff-return experience at Colorado demonstrated comfort operating in space. At 6 feet 2 inches and roughly 208 pounds, he has the size to handle press coverage and the athletic foundation to develop into a complete outside receiver.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most significant milestone of Rice’s career to date came on draft night in 2024, when he heard his name called by the Los Angeles Chargers in the seventh round. Earning a Second-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2023 validated his college trajectory, and his progression through four NFL organizations in a single calendar year speaks to his perseverance and the respect he has earned from team personnel staffs around the league.
Brenden Rice Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Brenden Rice is the son of Jerry Rice, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver in NFL history. Jerry Rice’s record-setting career, which included three Super Bowl championships with the San Francisco 49ers and numerous all-time league records, set an extraordinary standard for any son hoping to follow in his footsteps. Brenden has spoken about growing up around the game, and his football journey has inevitably been shaped by that famous family lineage.
Personal Life
Rice is an American citizen and was raised in the Phoenix metropolitan area, where he attended Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona. He has maintained an active presence on social media, where he shares glimpses of his training and his journey through the NFL. Public details about his personal relationships, marital status, and children are not widely documented.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a turbulent year for Brenden Rice as he moved across the league. After being waived by the Los Angeles Chargers during final roster cuts in late August, he spent the fall navigating a series of practice squad opportunities with the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. Both of those stints lasted only a single week each, illustrating the razor-thin margins that face practice-squad players on a week-to-week basis.
On December 3, 2025, Rice signed with the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad, and that move finally provided some continuity. He remained with Las Vegas through the end of the regular season, contributing on the practice field and staying ready for any opportunity that might arise on game day. On January 5, 2026, the Raiders rewarded that patience with a reserve/future contract, a meaningful vote of confidence for a young player trying to establish himself in the league.
Looking ahead, Rice was waived by the Raiders on May 11 before being claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers two days later. His outlook for the upcoming 2025 season outlook centers on earning a stable role in Green Bay’s offense and special teams units, building on the persistence that has carried him through four NFL organizations in his first two professional seasons.