Jerry Rice's Son Brenden Applauded by NFL Fans After Going to Chargers in 2024 Draft

zach bacharContributor IApril 27, 2024

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: Brenden Rice #2 of the USC Trojans runs the ball after a reception during the first half of a game against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

The Los Angeles Chargers selected former USC wide receiver Brenden Rice with the No. 225 pick in the 2024 NFL draft on Saturday.

Rice, the son of Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice, hauled in 45 catches for 791 yards during his senior season with the Trojans. After recording nine total touchdowns during his first three years in college, the younger Rice found the end zone 12 times in 2023.

Fans were excited to see the 22-year-old follow in his father's footsteps and officially make it to the NFL.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Chargers are drafting USC WR Brenden Rice 🌟<br><br>Special moment for Jerry Rice and his son 🙏 <a href="https://t.co/0DU7ug70Dc">pic.twitter.com/0DU7ug70Dc</a>

Josiah @Josiah_Caswell
Brenden Rice to LAC is a steal

DIE-HARD 🦅 REALTOR® @Eaglesfans9
That's a great spot for Brenden Rice. He gets to stay home. <a href="https://t.co/aFRsSi9sRi">https://t.co/aFRsSi9sRi</a>

Ryan Dyrud @RyanDyrudLAFB
Brenden Rice to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chargers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chargers</a>! Bolts got a STEAL this late. <a href="https://twitter.com/LAFBNetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LAFBNetwork</a>

Ryan DePaul @RyanDePaul
USC WR Brenden Rice – has been selected No. 225 overall by the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chargers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chargers</a>. <br><br>Wow Hortiz/Harbaugh, take a bow. 👏🏼

Dan W. @DanWSports
HOLY BPA <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chargers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chargers</a>. Brenden Rice in the 7th!? Joe Hortiz you are COOKING! 😮‍💨

Rice's fall in the draft was surprising, especially considering his impressive production alongside No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams at USC. He didn't appear to be too worried about it, explaining that "all I needed was a shot" in a post on X.

Brenden Rice @BrendenRice
All I needed was a shot. Charged Up⚡️⚡️

Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department listed Rice as the No. 20 wide receiver and the No. 103 overall player in the 2024 class on the final big board ahead of the draft. It's a valuable pick for the Chargers, who were able to select him near the top of the seventh round.

In his scouting report of the standout receiver, B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen highlighted Rice's acceleration as well as his ability to rack up yards after the catch.

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In his scouting report of the standout receiver, B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen highlighted Rice's acceleration as well as his ability to rack up yards after the catch.

He'll join a young Chargers wide receiver group following the offseason departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Rice was the second wideout selected by Los Angeles in the 2024 draft, as the team picked Georgia's Ladd McConkey with the No. 34 choice on Friday.