The Gamecocks have featured several speedy wide receivers who have gone on to professional careers in recent years, but not since Sterling Sharpe (1983-87) and Robert Brooks (1988-91) has the school been able to boast such a big-play specialist like Rice. Even though he spent only two seasons with the Gamecocks, Rice made his mark in the school record books, including becoming the first player in the program's history to produce consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons.

Among active Southeastern Conference players, Rice's two-year total of 2,233 yards receiving ranks third in the league, topped only by Dwayne Bowe of Louisiana State (2,403 yards on 154 catches, 2003-06) and Dallas Baker of Florida (2,236 yards on 151 catches, 2003-06), and it took those two players four years to accomplish their totals. Rice's 23 touchdown catches in 24 games rank second among the conference's active players, topped only by Marcus Monk of Arkansas (24 in 36 games, 2004-06).

Rice was regarded as the best receiver in the state of South Carolina during his senior year at Gaffney High School. He was named to the High School Sports Report Statewide All-State team and selected offensive player of the year. He ended his career with 138 receptions for 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns.

In 2003, Rice caught 57 passes for 897 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior. He had 38 catches for 735 yards and 11 touchdowns his junior campaign. He also excelled in basketball, earning 2002-03 Class 4A basketball Player of the Year after helping lead Gaffney to the state championship. That season, he averaged 18 points and seven rebounds per game as the Indians finished the basketball season 28-0.

Rice was the last high profile recruit of the Lou Holtz era at South Carolina, choosing the Gamecoacks in 2004 over offers from Florida, Miami, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia and Syracuse. He spent his first season with the Gamecocks' scout team after suffering a hyper-extended left knee in warm-ups before the Georgia game.

Rice's collegiate debut was delayed one game in 2005 after he suffered a broken finger during August camp that would sideline him for the season opener vs. Central Florida. He got back on the field for the second game vs. Georgia and started the final 10 games. Rivals.com named Rice the National Freshman of the Year, as he led the team with 70 receptions for 1,143 yards (16.3 avg.) and 13 touchdowns. He also posted four tackles (3 solos) and caused one fumble on special teams. His average of 103.91 yards per game receiving led the Southeastern Conference and ranked fifth nationally.

Rice followed up that banner rookie season with All-American recognition, as he again led the team and ranked third in the Southeastern Conference with an average of 5.54 catches per game. He paced the Gamecocks with 72 receptions for 1,090 yards (15.1 avg.) and 10 touchdowns to become the school's first two-time 1,000-yard receiver. He also had a six-yard reverse that set up a touchdown drive.

In 24 games at South Carolina, Rice started 23 times. He finished his career with 142 catches for 2,233 yards (15.7 avg.) and 23 touchdowns. He rushed once for six yards, attempted one pass, scored 138 points and recorded four tackles (3 solos) with a forced fumble.

Positives: Has a tall frame with adequate muscle development, long arms and legs … Has deceptive speed to get downfield, showing good body flexibility, good balance and body control to adjust to the ball in flight … Quick to find openings or come back for the ball, and has no trouble working in unison with the quarterback … Good crack blocker who will compete for the ball deep … Shows good quickness and a deceptive stride, where he can suddenly put on the second gear to eat up the defender's cushion … Doesn't have ideal strength to fight through a powerful jam, but when he is able to avoid it, he gets into his route quickly … It is evident that he has natural ball skills to adjust to the ball in flight and play it deep … Builds to top speed nicely with no wasted motions and takes long strides to compensate for a lack of blazing speed … Can run a lethargic defender off the line of scrimmage and plays the ball well with nice adjustment skills … Shows nice acceleration throughout his routes and has an array of moves to set up the defender … Will sometimes round up field routes, but has the body control to adjust and get under the thrown ball without having to break stride … Seems to be better on linear routes, as he can build his acceleration and make cuts to separate … Has the functional speed and decent burst to get deep and threaten, but needs to be more crisp adjusting on underneath routes … Plays with a very good feel for the ball in flight … Shows the ability to adjust and get in position to snatch the long ball over his outside shoulder without having to throttle down … Very good working the sidelines and keeping his feet in bounds … Does a good job of adjusting to deep coverage and can get open and settle on deep throws better than he can going over the middle … Has outstanding ball skills to adjust to the thrown ball, looking natural with his body control to get in position and make plays over his shoulder … Able to extend and pluck the ball outside his frame and while his concentration lapsed at times, he was very good at securing the ball and protecting it before heading up field … Has enough elusive moves to take a short crossing pass for a long distance, but needs to have room to operate in order to be successful … Has to be creative in his moves to compensate for some tight hips, but shows the vision to make the big play if he finds the crease.

Negatives: Has the leaping ability to compete for the ball in the air, but needs to do a better job of timing those leaps … Has some hip tightness, but still shows shifty moves on long routes (less in shorter routes) … Whether it is timing or an unwillingness, he will struggle to compete for the ball in a crowd and despite a 35-inch vertical jump and his 6-3 frame, defenders were able to deflect 17 passes out of his hands in 2006 and he failed to run under 23 other throws … Will need to add more bulk and strength in order to beat the press at the next level … Has the size and vertical jump to go up and make the catch over the middle, but you sometimes wonder if he has the strength to take a pounding there … Needs to improve on short routes, as like most tall receivers he struggles to drop his weight and gain separation … Going over the middle, he looks affected by close coverage at times and seems to be too aware of traffic.

Compares To: Demetrius Williams, Baltimore … Rice has excellent hands, catching almost every ball thrown to him … He has deceptive speed and fine leaping ability, but lacks the bulk to compete for the ball in a crowd … He can turn a short crossing pass into a big gain if he spots the crease, and does a good job securing the ball before turning up field … He needs route refinement and has some tightness in his hips, but working down the sidelines, he will make the plays deep in the opponent's secondary.

2004: Granted a medical redshirt after he hyper-extended his left knee during warm-ups prior to the second game of the season vs. Georgia (9/11).

2005: Missed the season opener vs. Central Florida (9/01) after he suffered a pinky finger fracture on his left hand that required surgery.

Campus: 4.49 in the 40-yard dash (wind-aided) … 4.55 in the 40-yard dash … 35-inch vertical jump … 320-pound bench press … 301-pound power clean … 32½-inch arm length … 9¼-inch hands.

Attended Gaffney (S.C.) High School, playing football for head coach Phil Strickland … Regarded as the best receiver in the state of South Carolina during his senior year … Was named to the High School Sports Report Statewide All-State team and selected Offensive Player of the Year … Ended his career with 138 receptions for 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns … In 2003, Rice caught 57 passes for 897 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior … Had 38 catches for 735 yards and 11 touchdowns his junior campaign … Also excelled in basketball, earning 2002-03 Class 4A basketball Player of the Year, after helping lead Gaffney to the state championship … That season, he averaged 18 points and seven rebounds per game for his school, as the Indians finished the basketball season 28-0.

African-American Studies major … Born Sidney R. Rice on Sept. 1, 1986 … Resides in Gaffney, S.C.