Four-star linebacker John Houston, the sixth-ranked linebacker in the country and the seventh-ranked player in California, according to the 247Sports Composite ratings, committed to USC on Wednesday afternoon. Houston is the 49th-ranked player in the country, according to the composite ratings, and his overall industry rating is 0.9759.
Blue chip John Houston commits to USC on Signing Day
The four-star linebacker announced he’ll be a Trojan on Wednesday afternoon.
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His listed finalists were USC, Arizona State, Miami, Oklahoma, and Oregon, but the Trojans were the favorite. USC is a good bet to finish with the country's No. 2 class, and maybe even push for No. 1. For much more on the Trojans, visit Conquest Chronicles.
Houston had offers from all over the country, and he chose to use his official visits at USC, Oklahoma, Arizona State, Oregon and Miami. He also had offers from Alabama, Florida State, Notre Dame, Tennessee, LSU and more. USC got his last official visit on Jan. 16.
Houston had 147 tackles for Junipero Serra High School this season, finishing with 413 tackles in three years. He also had six tackles for loss, three sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles this season. He was named Second-Team All-USA by USA Today, selected to the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game, and invited to the Nike showcase “The Opening.”
Houston stands at 6’3, 211 pounds with a 4.6-second 40-yard dash time.
SB Nation’s Bud Elliott has more on Houston in this scouting report:
”At this stage Houston functions best as a sideline-to-sideline ‘backer. He does a nice job scraping along the line of scrimmage and keeping blockers out of his chest plate. He uses an exceptional closing burst to finish plays out by the numbers. He projects an excellent “spill” type of player as well, with his ability to run down plays in space. He can easily range from his inside linebacker position out past the numbers to the sideline to stop ball carriers for minimal gains.
“Houston is thought of by most as inside linebacker at the next level, but has the natural burst and athleticism to flourish on the outside as well. He’s a scheme diverse player who cans either inside spot in a 3-4 defense or nearly any of the three linebacker positions within a 4-3 alignment.”
