Jerry Rice’s son, Chargers rookie Brenden Rice, feels like he has a lot to prove

COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) – Brenden Rice already had a lot to prove because the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Jerry Rice.

Not being chosen before the 225th pick within the NFL Draft two weeks ago added more fuel to the hearth.

Many thought Rice can be a mid-round pick. Instead, he didn’t advance until the seventh round when the Los Angeles Chargers chosen the winger from Southern California.

“My dad was handsome,” Rice said she didn’t go until late on the third day. “The first words he said were, ‘It’s time to go to work.’ He said, “I will be with you every step of the way.” He said, “Now I’m going to attend all your training sessions and we have a lot of people that we can prove wrong and a lot of teams that will move forward.” This goes to be one hell of a story.”

Rice watched a lot of tapes of his father growing up, but he has a different body type.

“I model my game after bigger receiver types – Davant Adams (Raiders), Calvin Ridleys (Titans) and even Mike Evans (Tampa Bay),” Rice said. “Being able to go forward and be physical at the top of the route, create separation or go up and make a layup, that type of play, and be consistent with my quarterback as well.”

Instead of wallowing in what he calls the frustrating technique of creating a project, Rice tries to look to the long run. As the Chargers rebuild on the wingback position, he’ll have loads of opportunities to show he deserves a roster spot.

“It’s all about me. If you don’t see me coming this fall, it’s my fault,” he said. “If you see me there, I will put in all the work necessary to give it my all and go out and produce.”

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After transferring from Colorado, Rice showed that he was a physical receiver and a well-developed route runner during his two seasons at USC. He led the Trojans last season with 12 touchdowns and career-highs in catches (45) and yards (791).

In addition to having Caleb Williams as his quarterback, Rice felt the transfer would profit his game in other areas as well.

“I felt like when I went to USC, my IQ just went to another level,” he said. “It allowed me to find gaps in the defense, read coverages, get familiar with shadow techniques, get familiar with the DBs and what they were going to do, watch film and know what I was going to get from them and what I was going to see on game day.”

Rice is moving on from Williams – whom Chicago chosen first within the draft – to one other top quarterback in Justin Herbert. Rice is anticipated to be a priceless option for Herbert in the midst of the sector, especially after Mike Williams was fired and Keenan Allen was traded to the Bears.

Rice was one in every of three receivers chosen by the Chargers. Ladd McConkey was chosen within the second round, and Cornelius Johnson was also eliminated within the seventh round.

“Brenden has had a lot of explosive plays down the field and long touchdowns – Arizona State, UCLA, Stanford and these games. He can stretch the field vertically,” Chargers assistant general manager Chad Alexander said. “He does a lot of things that you just really, really like. He blocks and does a really good job.

Rice, the remaining of the Chargers’ draft class and undrafted free agents are gaining momentum during rookie minicamp this weekend. After Friday’s practice, coach Jim Harbaugh praised all the freshman class for his or her preparation. Harbaugh also realizes time is brief, especially with on-field activities through which all the team starts playing in a few weeks.

“Think about it this manner – we’ve got veterans who’ve been riding for about five weeks now. I believe that is my job,” Harbaugh said. “We have rookies coming in. They’re getting onto Interstate 405. Traffic is fast. New players are coming in (this weekend) to understand the system and learn the principles of the sport in order that they don’t decelerate the veterans once they connect on Monday.