Rick Devens on Big Brother 28: Can the Survivor Legend Win It All?
The reality TV multiverse has officially collided. When Big Brother Season 28 premiered on July 9, 2026, CBS stunned viewers by revealing that Survivor fan favorite Patrick William “Rick” Devens would enter the house as one of three returning reality stars. Joining him were Survivor 45 winner Dee Valladares and Big Brother 26 standout Angela Murray, creating one of the most anticipated crossover casts in franchise history.
For years, fans wondered whether one of Survivor’s most entertaining strategists could adapt to the unique challenges of Big Brother. Now that the opportunity has finally arrived.
The question is simple:
Can Rick Devens survive the longest game on television and become the first Survivor legend to win Big Brother?
Rick Devens Quick Facts
- Full Name: Patrick William Devens
- Nickname: Rick Devens
- Age: 42 years old (as of 2026)
- Birthday: April 5, 1984
- Birthplace: Macon, Georgia, United States
- Height: Approximately 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm)
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: White/Caucasian
- Wife: Becca Devens
- Children: Two; son Jackson and daughter Juliet
- College: Master of Arts degree in public relations from Middle Georgia State University/Virginia Tech (degree in broadcast journalism)
- Occupation: Television personality, former news anchor, communications professional
- Known For: Survivor: Edge of Extinction, Survivor 50, Big Brother 28
- TV Shows:
- Survivor: Edge of Extinction (Season 38)
- Survivor 50
- Big Brother 28
- Net Worth: Estimated between $1 million and $2 million (estimated)
- Instagram: @rick_devens
Who Is Rick Devens?
Rick Devens is an American journalist, television personality, and one of the most recognizable players in modern Survivor history.
He first competed on Survivor: Edge of Extinction (Season 38), where he became one of the season’s breakout stars. Although he was voted out early, Devens fought his way back into the game through the Edge of Extinction twist and mounted an unforgettable comeback.
His aggressive idol plays, memorable confessionals, and fearless strategic moves made him a fan favorite, even though he ultimately finished fourth.
Years later, he returned for Survivor 50, proving once again that he remained one of the franchise’s biggest personalities.
Outside reality television, Devens built a successful career as a television news anchor and communications professional, skills that could prove invaluable inside the Big Brother house.
Why CBS Cast Rick Devens
According to Big Brother executive producers, Rick Devens was an easy choice for the season. They wanted someone who could entertain viewers while still playing a serious strategic game. Devens checks every box. He is charismatic, unpredictable, funny, competitive, and never afraid to make bold moves.
Unlike some reality veterans who want more television exposure, producers believe Devens genuinely wants to win. That competitive drive is one reason he became one of the biggest names in Survivor history.
The Survivor Challenge
Although Survivor and Big Brother are both social strategy games, they reward very different styles of play.
| Survivor | Big Brother |
|---|---|
| 26–39 day game | Around 90–100 day game |
| Tribal Councils every few days | Weekly nominations and evictions |
| Hidden Immunity Idols | Head of Household and Power of Veto |
| Outdoor survival | Indoor social pressure |
| Fast-moving strategy | Long-term relationship building |
On Survivor, players often need to make bold moves quickly because there is little time to recover. Big Brother rewards patience.
Players who become the center of attention too early often find themselves nominated before the jury phase even begins. That difference could become Rick Devens’ biggest obstacle.
Rick Devens’ Biggest Strengths
Exceptional Communication Skills
As a former television news anchor and communications director, Devens understands how to connect with people. He knows how to ask questions, build trust, and keep conversations engaging. These skills could help him create strong relationships across multiple alliances.
Experience Under Pressure
Few reality contestants have faced more pressure than Rick Devens. During Survivor, he repeatedly survived elimination through immunity wins, hidden idols, and clever strategy. That experience could make him one of the calmest competitors whenever nominations become stressful.
Entertaining Personality
Big Brother is a social experiment. Houseguests spend every hour of every day together. Someone who can make people laugh often becomes easier to live with. Rick’s humor may become one of his greatest social weapons.
Competition Ability
While Devens is not known as a dominant physical athlete, he has repeatedly shown that he can perform when everything is on the line.
If he reaches the second half of the season, his experience winning high-pressure challenges could become a major advantage during Head of Household and Power of Veto competitions.
His Biggest Weakness
Rick Devens has never been known for playing quietly. In Survivor, his biggest moments came from dramatic idol plays, flashy strategic moves, and big speeches at Tribal Council. Those moments made excellent television. They could also make him an early target in Big Brother.
Unlike Survivor, where bold gameplay can earn respect, Big Brother often rewards players who remain under the radar until the second half of the game.
If Devens cannot resist making early strategic moves, he could quickly become one of the biggest targets in the house.
The Built-In Advantage
Rick does not enter the game alone. He shares the house with Survivor 45 winner Dee Valladares and Big Brother veteran Angela Murray. This creates an interesting dynamic.
Angela naturally attracts attention because of her outspoken personality. Dee arrives with a reputation as one of Survivor’s strongest modern winners. If those two become bigger targets, Rick may quietly develop relationships while others receive most of the attention. That could be exactly what he needs during the opening weeks.
The Biggest Adjustment
Rick himself has acknowledged that Big Brother requires a completely different pace. Survivor encourages players to act quickly. Big Brother requires players to think weeks ahead.
Winning this game is less about surviving one vote and more about managing relationships over three months. For someone known for making spectacular moves, learning when not to make a move may determine his fate.
Can Rick Devens Actually Win?
The answer is yes. Rick Devens has nearly every quality needed to become a successful Big Brother player. He is socially skilled, understands strategy, performs well under pressure, and is comfortable speaking in front of cameras.
Most importantly, he has spent years competing against some of reality television’s smartest strategists. However, his success depends on one thing: he must resist becoming “Survivor Rick Devens” during the first month.
If he avoids unnecessary attention, lets other houseguests become early targets, and builds genuine relationships before making major moves, he could become one of the most dangerous players in the season.
Final Verdict
Rick Devens enters Big Brother 28 with one of the most impressive resumes in the cast. His Survivor experience gives him a strategic edge, while his communication skills make him naturally likable. The biggest question is whether he can adapt his game to the slower, relationship-driven pace of Big Brother.
If he embraces patience instead of chaos, Rick Devens has a legitimate chance to reach the finale. If not, his reputation alone could send him out the door long before the jury begins.
One thing is certain: whether he wins or loses, Rick Devens is almost guaranteed to be one of the most entertaining houseguests of Big Brother Season 28.