Columbia University Athletics

2022: Did not see any game action as a sophomore offensive lineman.
 
2021: Did not see any action as a first-year offensive lineman … Contributed on the scout team.
 
HIGH SCHOOL: A May 2021 graduate of Waller High School in Waller, Texas, where he played four years of varsity football for Head Coach Gene Johnson … Two-time First Team Class 8-5A All-District selection … Unanimous First Team Class 8-5A All-District selection as a senior … First Team Academic All-State Elite Team honoree … Academic All-District selection … Named the Carlos Scott Lineman of the Year following his senior season … Played offensive line for the Bulldogs … Three-year starter at right tackle and left guard … Rated a two-star recruit by 247sports.com and Rivals.com … Also competed in track and field, wrestling, and powerlifting … Competes in the throws (shot put, discus) in track and field … Junior Olympian in track and field … Competed with the Houston Youth Track Club … Personal bests in the shot put were 40-5 ½, and 104-9 in the discus … National Honor Society student … Earned AP Scholar Athlete Award … In academics, ranked among top 2 percent of his class … Volunteered in the community for the Greater Houston Food Bank.
 
PERSONAL: Born Augustus Raymond Rice on March 1, 2003 in Houston, Texas … Son of William Rice and Melissa Mangur … Has a younger sister Gemma Rice … Both of his parents attended Texas Tech … Grandfather Raymond Commander played football at Tulane (1969-72) … Great uncle played football at Baylor (1958-60) and other great uncle Robert Smith played football at Sam Houston State (1961-63) … Began playing football in the first grade … Hobbies and interests include fishing, working out, and reading books … Nickname is Big Gus … Role model is his father because he inspires him to be better than what he is … Favorite class/subject is Physics … If he could compete for Columbia in another sport it would be either lightweight rowing or track and field (throws) … Selected Columbia for its perfect combination of NCAA Division I football and academics … Favorite things about Columbia include the city, coaching staff, and school … Chose Columbia over offers from Dartmouth, Cornell, Tulane, Fordham, Bryant, Lehigh, Georgetown, Penn, MIT, and Johns Hopkins … Enrolled at Columbia College … Intends to major in Biology.