2025 Football Roster
Roster
Connors, Dean
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Jersey Number 44
Dean Connors
- Position:
- RB
- Height:
- 6-0
- Weight:
- 206
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- Kamuela, Hawai’i
- High School:
- Murrieta Valley HS
- Prev School:
- Rice
Bio
Prior to Houston
High School
Personal
- Spent last three seasons at Rice (2022-24)
- Began career at Riverside Community College (2021)
- Rice career: 307 rushes for 1,679 yards and 16 rushing TDs
- 113 career receptions for 912 yards and six touchdowns at Rice
- 1,128 offensive snaps in three seasons at Rice
- 37 games played including 17 starts with Owls
- Offensively at Rice: 111 missed tackles forced and 134 first downs
- 48 rushes of 10+ yards at Rice including 43 over last two seasons (2023-24)
- Two-time All-American Athletic Conference Honorable Mention (2023-24)
- 2,591 yards from scrimmage (rushing + passing yards) in three seasons at Rice
- 2,439 yards from scrimmage between 2023-24 ranked 20th in FBS and third in Texas
- 13 games of 100+ yards from scrimmage between 2023-24 ranked 15th in FBS
- Nine games with 125+ yards from scrimmage ranks 14th all-time by AAC player
- Nine games with 125+ yards from scrimmage between 2023-24 ranked second in AAC
- One of five FBS players with 15+ rushing TDs and 5+ receiving TDs between 2023-24
- Only FBS player with 700+ rushing yards and 400+ receiving yards each of last two seasons (2023-24) and one of five FBS players to accomplish feat twice in last 10 years (2015-24)
- Five 100+ yard rushing games – fourth most by Rice player since 2000
- First Rice player with five 100-yard rushing performances since Charles Ross (2009-13)
- 2024 Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Second Team All-Texas Offense
- In 12 games during 2024: 159 carries for 780 yards and nine touchdowns
- Also hauled in 62 receptions for 485 yards and two scores
- 1,265 yards from scrimmage ranked fourth among Texas FBS players
- 1,265 yards from scrimmage ranked second among AAC running backs
- Seven games with 100+ yards from scrimmage ranked 25th in FBS
- Seven games with 100+ yards from scrimmage ranked second among AAC running backs
- Second among FBS running backs in receptions (61), fifth in receiving yards (486), fifth in yards after catch (501), seventh in first down receptions (19) and 19 in missed tackles forced following a reception (15)
- In 13 games during 2023: 121 carries for 771 yards and seven touchdowns
- Also hauled in 43 receptions for 403 yards and three scores
- 6.4 yards per carry were highest for Rice back since 2005 (min. 100 carries)
- Two rushing TDs in First Responder Bowl vs. Texas State (Dec. 26)
- First multi-rushing TD performance in a bowl for Rice since 1954
- One of two FBS running backs with two 50+ yard rushes and one 80+ yard reception
- Third among FBS running backs in first down receptions (18), fourth in missed tackles forced following a reception (21), fifth in receiving yards (403), sixth in receptions (43) and seventh in yards after catch (417)
- 19 carries for career high 184 rushing yards (9.7/carry) at Charlotte (Nov. 18)
- 9.7 yards per carry stands as single-game best for Rice player since 2000 (min. 15 carries)
- In 12 games during 2022: 28 carries for 128 yards and a touchdown
- Also returned seven kickoffs for 133 yards
- Led team with 19-yard average on kickoff returns
- Spent 2021 season at Riverside Community College
- 107 carries for 516 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and seven rushing scores
- Helped team reach California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) title game
High School
- Prepped at Murrieta Valley
- Southwestern League MVP as a senior in 2020
- All-State performer in track
Personal
- Nickname: Dean
- Hobbies: golfing, video games, and watching football
- Dream job: high school athletic director
- Something most people don’t know: grew up in a ranch in Oregon
- Family member who played college or professional sports: his dad, Brian Fisher Connors, University if Oregon and University of Pacific 1987-1991
- Chose UH because Really enjoyed the coaching staff and their mission along with having a great roster that he looks forward to getting to know
- One word to describe himself on the field: dynamic
- If he could eat one food for the rest of his life: ground beef
- Biggest motivation for working hard: his family
- Favorite childhood memory was watching his dads football games on VHS tapes
- Sports hero: his father because he introduced him to football and taught me how to work hard
- Most memorable athletic accomplishment: Southern California state championship, Riverside city college
- Unique fact: can juggle
- Game day ritual: none
Postgame Press Conference: Football at Rice
Saturday, September 06
Postgame Press Conference: Football vs. Stephen F. Austin
Friday, August 29
Press Conference: Head Coach Willie Fritz Previews SFA
Monday, August 25
Camp Availability: Head Coach Willie Fritz
Monday, August 04
