Playing with QB Caleb Williams in USC in 2023, WR Brenden Rice led the Trojans with 14.6 air yards per target and scored 12 touchdown receptions. Entering the 2024 NFL Draft, he was projected as a mid-round pick but wasn’t picked until the later rounds. But in a way, as he puts it, it could be a blessing in disguise. 

On the day he was to be drafted, his best friend Keith Miller III died, and he went to Dallas to serve as the pallbearer and give an obituary speech despite his draft anxiety. Rice previously said of this unfortunate incident and his late draft pick, “It was just like a blessing from God because he allowed me to go ahead and just mourn the death of my friend.” Days after the draft, he opened up about how he felt about being a late pick.

Brenden Rice calls his late pick frustrating but views it as a blessing

Brenden Rice caught up with the Los Angeles Chargers media after Day 1 of 2024 Rookie Minicamp on YouTube to talk about how he felt when he was picked as a late-rounder by the Los Angeles Chargers. When asked if he was frustrated, he said, “It was very frustrating. The whole draft process.” The former USC WR wasn’t a first-round pick like his Hall of Famer father, Jerry Rice, nor a second-round pick.

Despite being selected in the 7th round as the 225th overall pick by the Chargers, Rice remains optimistic. He sees his late pick as an opportunity, stating, “But at the same time, it was a blessing… I pray to go to a team that really wanted me and God felt as though the Los Angeles Chargers wanted me and it doesn’t matter how long it takes.” This hopeful outlook sets the stage for his first season under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, where he looks forward to proving himself. 

Jerry Rice is hot mad at Brenden Rice’s late pick

When Brenden Rice became the 32nd receiver to be picked out of 35 in the 2024 NFL Draft, legend Jerry Rice felt disappointed and furious. As reported by Brenden Rice, “My dad was hot. You guys get the flash like… the humble dude, right? Me, he’s like, ‘Hell no, we’re going to take this to a different level. These guys going to feel us.'” The new Chargers WR has a good chance of proving himself in Los Angeles this season.

The Chargers, who bid farewell to two top receivers this offseason, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, have shown their faith in Rice. Alongside DJ Chark Jr., who had a 1,000-yard season, Rice feels supported. He shares, “I’m in the best position possible to go ahead and make my mark on and make my own legacy. I went from Caleb Williams to Justin Herbert, and I’m in a room that’s going to allow me to compete day in and day out.” This reassurance bodes well for his future with the team.