Chase Rice plans year away from touring and considers return to college football

Chase Rice says he will pause touring in 2026 and is considering applying for a sixth year of college football

Country music artist Chase Rice has announced that he will take next year off from touring for the first time in 13 years, sharing the update with fans through his Instagram Story.

Rice, known for songs such as “Eyes On You”, has spent more than a decade performing across major venues in the United States.

He told followers: “Taking next year off from touring for the first time in 13 years. Gonna go back and apply and train for my 6th year in college football.” He added that the University of North Carolina was his “first choice” and said: “I hereby open my recruitment.”

Rice also tagged Lane Kiffin and referenced speculation that Kiffin may move from Ole Miss to another coaching role, noting that Kiffin is “a factor into this”. While some fans have interpreted the announcement as light-hearted, Rice’s athletic background provides context for the possibility.

Before his music career, he was a linebacker at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he played on special teams and later earned a starting position.

Born in Florida and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, Rice became one of the top high-school football players in the state. As a redshirt freshman at UNC in 2005, he appeared in all 11 games. 

He went on to play in every game during his sophomore and senior seasons, with a starting outside linebacker role in his junior year before an ankle injury in the season opener against James Madison curtailed his progress.

Rice has pursued a range of careers beyond football. He previously worked as a NASCAR pit-crew member and later competed on Survivor: Nicaragua, finishing as runner-up.

His move into country music brought commercial success and a large following, making his announcement about stepping back from touring a notable shift in focus.