Houston lands two major offers
John Houston had been pegged as one of the top 2015 linebackers in California and his recruitment picked up in a huge way on Tuesday.
The 6-foot-3, 198-pound outside linebacker from Gardena (Calif.) Serra landed offers from USC and Florida and for the rising junior it's kind of hard to believe things have happened so fast.
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"It's surreal right now," Houston said. "I believe I've worked hard enough during the off-season and the season to get those offers though."
USC watched Houston lift weights and then saw him at track practice and that was enough to offer him on the spot. Florida has been talking to Houston and decided to offer before coming out early next week.
"They came during our weight session," Houston said of USC. "I lifted and squatted and then I had track practice so they watched my track practice and they offered me right then and there.
"Florida is kind of new to me. I'm trying to get into it and see what they're about but mostly I don't know too much about their football program. I'm just trying to see what kind of school they have."
Since Houston is a local prospect, he's quite familiar with USC but still does not want to rush any decisions. The 2015 standout who already had an offer from UCLA said he definitely wants to see how this season plays out and learn more about the academics at USC as well.
"It's big," Houston said of the USC offer. "I just want to see them during their season and see their academic program to see what kind of school they are.
"I haven't heard anything from SC. They just came to the practice and they offered me after track practice so it was pretty quiet from everybody except UCLA. It came out of the blue from Florida and USC."
That first offer from the Bruins does mean a lot. No other programs had been recruiting Houston but UCLA offered and he said that will be considered as his recruitment continues.
It's still early, though, so anything can happen.
"It means a little bit more," Houston said. "I'm not trying to judge the schools right now. I'm trying to look at all of them and see how they are. I'm not going to early commit to any school. I just want to feel them out."