Rice University had everything Austin Williams was looking for.
The 6-foot-2, 235-pound linebacker from Austin, Texas, essentially had three requirements: first, a high-quality education; second, the chance to play college football; and third, following a two-year Mormon mission to Guatemala, he wanted to attend a school where he would have ample missionary opportunities. He had several options, but Rice stood out, Williams said.
"I chose Rice because that's where I felt I needed to be," Williams said in a recent interview with the Deseret News. "I was wanted by the coaches and it was a great place for me to continue serving and helping others to find the gospel.