Denzell Wells traded in his blue #21 jersey for a white version on Monday morning as he made the move from offense to defense. 

The third-year sophomore who was a teammate of Shane Turner's at Cy Falls High School is making the move from wide receiver to address a depth need that the Owls have at safety after the medical hardships to Joseph Leary and Max Anyiam.   Leary, who had been a corner for most of his career, was ticketed for a move to safety before suffering an injury near the end of spring ball.  Anyiam, a fifth-year senior who had seen considerable playing time on special teams and as a reserve, also was forced to take a medical hardship this summer.

Wells will get a look at both safety and corner.  "He's got a lot of athletic ability and he wants to find a way to get on the field," Rice head coach David Bailiff said. "We approached him with the idea and he was ready to give it a try."