Rece was a graduate of Muscle Shoals High School where he played basketball and football. Following high school he attended the University of Alabama, graduating in 1988 earning a degree in both Broadcast News and Public Affairs. While in college, he worked as a freelance television play by play announcer, studio host and radio personality at media outlets throughout  the state. After graduating from Alabama, he served in various markets including WRBL-TV in Columbus, Georgia where he worked as a sports reporter, lead weekend news anchor and sports director. In 1993, he left Georgia for Flint, Michigan where he worked as a sports anchor and reporter for WJRT-TV, where he quickly got the attention of ESPN. He joined ESPN in 1995 and serves as the primary host for ESPN and

ESPN-2's coverage of college football and college basketball. He is the host of ESPN's Saturday College Football Program, Half-Time and Post-Game Coverage and College Football Final with Lou Holt and Mark May.