Houston edges out Texas Tech, Nebraska for hometown speedster CJ Guidry

CJ Guidry boasts a double-digit offer sheet filled with Power 5 options. Yet, the hometown energy was too good of an opportunity for the speedy pass-catcher to pass up.

Guidry, a three-star wide receiver from Alvin (Texas) Shadow Creek, committed to Houston on Saturday. Nebraska and Texas Tech were the other finalists. Guidry also held offers from Tennessee, Kansas and Arizona, among others.

Guidry is the sixth addition to the Cougars' 2021 recruiting class, which entered the weekend ranked inside the top-100 on the RIvals national team rankings. Guidry is the first wide receiver to commit thus far. He's the sixth in-state prospect thus far for second-year head coach Dana Holgersen.

"It's my hometown, you know? I know the staff. They didn't have to say too much; it was all about me playing in front of my family and my city. You tell me what's greater than that?"

"Coach Tyron Carrier (played a big role). My relationship with Coach Carrier felt like my relationship with my high school coach, Coach (Rene) Glapion. I feel comfortable and he knows me for me and not just as a player."

"It wasn't easy (to decide). Houston stood out to me because of what it can do for me and my family. Since I was a kid, everybody has come out to see me play. Why change that? My childhood dream was to make my city No. 1 and I'm gonna keep my promise."

"CJ Guidry at Houston is going to be like De'Anthony Thomas at Oregon -- quick, shifty and a speed demon. I feel that I'll fit in very well and I'm gonna be good with the coaches, too. Don't forget that I'm a track star, too, now."

"To be a hometown hero is like waking up on Christmas and seeing everything you asked for. It's a dream come true. My family is happy. My coaches are happy. Everybody is happy."

Guidry is a decorated two-sport standout with multiple school records in track and field events in addition to helping Shadow Creek capture its first-ever state championship last December.

Guidry broke out during the 2018 season as a sophomore when he caught 28 passes for 604 yards and six touchdowns. He was an All-District selection in 2019 when he turned 25 receptions into 612 yards and nine scores.

Over the past two seasons, Guidry has amassed 1,656 all-purpose yards and averaged an impressive 23 yards per catch, which is a testament to his skill-set; he's a speedster with the ability to take the top off opposing defenses and can score from anywhere on the field.

Some of Guidry's notable track times include a 10.84-second 100-meter and a 21.96-second 200-meter. Both were all-time best marks at Shadow Creek set earlier this year. Guidry also competes in the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams and what stands out is that his times in each event have steadily improved from year to year.

In helping to lead Shadow Creek to a 16-0 record and a Class 5A-I title last fall, Guidry showed off his big-play ability with the ability to stretch the field vertically from out wide or in the seam. He's able to easily separate from defensive backs in coverage and he's equally as difficult to corral in space. Guidry possesses a second gear that allows him to turn short gains into long touchdown runs.

Guidry isn't asked to run many routes in his high school offense and will have to learn more of the route tree when he arrives at Houston. He is, however, a talented route-runner with good footwork. On kickoff and punt return duties, Guidry flashes the ability to break tackles, make strong cuts and beat a host of defenders around the edge.

Guidry is just under six feet (5-foot-11) and 165 pounds, so adding some weight to his frame will be another task. He boasts 31-inch hands and is a steady target in the receiving game that can bring in catches away from the body. However, we have seen drops plague Guidry in the past.