Cam Rice talks transfer to Maryland football, leading defensive line in 2025

Ahmed Ghafir
Aug 21
4 min read

With Corey Liuget now leading the unit after being elevated to the on-field staff earlier this offseason, Maryland football is tasked with replacing its top four producers from a defensive line that struggled in 2024. While Maryland will turn to several underclassmen to step into impact roles to fill that lost production, the unit will be anchored by a pair of transfers in Eyan Thomas (St. Francis) and Cam Rice (Ohio) with several candidates like Sidney Stewart, Trey Reddick and Zahir Mathis behind them set to be part of the pass rush solution in 2025.

Rice became the first of four commitments along the defensive line during the spring portal window where the Ohio transfer, who began his career as a walk-on at West Virginia, has risen into an impact role in College Park heading into his final season of college football. But Maryland had to battle several other Power four schools with Indiana, Mississippi State, Virginia Tech, Minnesota and Cal also involved. Most importantly, West Virginia was after Rice with first-year head coach Rich Rodriguez looking to bring Rice back to the school where he began his college career, but the connections don’t end there as Rice’s grandma, Lori Rice, has served as the administrative associate for West Virginia football since 1987. Despite the Mountaineers the last staff to host him for a visit, Rice did so having already decided he was headed to the Big Ten.

“Yeah, it was tough because, you know, a lot of people from the area, I'm from West Virginia. They thought, you know, that would kind of be like the storybook ending but I had to do what was best for me and Maryland was it. I'm happy I'm here,” Rice told local media this week.

Rice breaks down his transition to College Park as he anchors the defensive line heading into 2025:

How he’s elevated the locker room since arriving

“Since I got here, I've tried to just be a leader, lead by example and really get to know the team and build that chemistry.”

On learning from DL coach Corey Liuget

“Ton of stuff. He played a long time in the NFL and he just pours into us everything that he knows and everything he's learned along his way. So we're all taking that and running with it.”

What he’s picked up well since arriving

“I think, like you guys said, just acclimating myself within the locker room, getting to know the guys and build chemistry and that camaraderie within the locker room has been really great.”

Why he transferred to Maryland

“Yeah, I mean, they check every box. It's close to home. Play against good competition here in the Big Ten. The locker room, I love meeting the guys on my visit. And the scheme and the coaches honestly. There's a lot of NFL ties, and think we've got really something special here.”

On stopping the run

“Just take everything that the coaches have taught me and apply in a game setting and just play really hard. That's kind of what I'm known for.”

On Saturday’s scrimmage

“I think we, both sides of the ball, we got each other better, offensive line, defensive line. We go at it every single day in practice. And iron sharpens iron.”

On going from WVU to D2 to Maryland

“It was kind of a rocky road going from West Virginia, [Power Four] down to D-II. But I believe everything happens for a reason and they gave me the opportunity to get to Ohio and then get to Maryland now, so I think everything happens for a reason.”

On being responsible for bringing up the younger DL

“Being one of the older guys on the team, like Coach Locks always says we're young, but we're very talented. I think having that veteran presence is super important in the locker room and meeting rooms out on the practice field. So yeah, I like to help out the younger guys as much as I can, and, like I said, lead by example.”

On transitioning positions before landing along the DL

“I actually played quarterback in high school and I was told I was gonna play linebacker in college but then I got there and they said play [defensive] line. So that's kind of how that happened.”

“Just work hard, anything you do, if you love this game enough, it really doesn't matter what position you're playing or what you're doing as long as you're making an impact. So that's kind of what I was always about. I just wanted to contribute, help the team. So I'd play anywhere.”

On the difference between Morgantown and College Park

“I think it's been pretty smooth. Morgantown, it's more of like a college town than being here in College Park, it’s more like city life and things like that. But I don't get too wrapped up in all that. I just kind of focus on football and just live my life that way.”

On the growing team chemistry through camp

“I think the team bonds been great. We do all types of stuff together, whether it's position groups or like a full team type deal. And yeah, I think the guys we get along great, and we're building really good chemistry.”

On taking the young guys under his wing

“Sometimes I forget that they're younger because I'm not used to being the older guy in the room. But I mean, yeah, there's a ton of guys that really step up and they are mature enough to help lead also, so I think that's going to help us out a ton.”

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