John Tyler pipeline fuels UH’s program
Each year, Ricklan Holmes welcomes Division I football recruiters from all over the country to John Tyler High School in Tyler.
It’s all part of being a perennial state powerhouse and in the epicenter for fertile recruiting ground that even has its own hashtag (#bEAST Texas) on social media. The University of Houston has planted its flag on the front porch.
In the last five years, the John Tyler to UH pipeline has produced two players on NFL rosters (linebacker Tyus Bowser and wide receiver Greg Ward Jr.), the Cougars’ starting right tackle (Braylon Jones) and a top signee (quarterback Bryson Smith) who arrives on campus in a few weeks. The latest John Tyler player to pledge to UH was three-star outside linebacker Dekalen Goodson, who committed on Mother’s Day.
“They have made their home in East Texas and Tyler,” Holmes said Tuesday. “We welcome Houston with open arms.”
Bowser, Ward set bar
Before Bowser and Ward signed with ex-coach Tony Levine in 2013, the Cougars had not signed a player from John Tyler in at least 20 years.
Holmes said the success enjoyed by Bowser and Ward has convinced some of the coach’s top players to give a hard look to UH. So has the Cougars’ recent rise on the national level.
“It’s a family thing here,” Holmes said. “Our kids are the type that get comfortable in certain situations. The situation the University of Houston has put my kids in over the past couple of years has kept that train going. UH brings a lot to the table to help them be successful.”
After decorated prep careers, Bowser and Ward went on to become standout players on the collegiate level.
At his signing day ceremony in 2013, Ward said a determining factor in signing with the Cougars was the chance to play quarterback. After starting his career at wide receiver, Ward moved to quarterback midway through his sophomore season, going 28-5 as a starter while finished fourth all-time at UH in passing yards (8,705) and fifth in touchdown passes (52). His 2,375 rushing yards are the most by a UH quarterback in school history.
Bowser originally committed to Oklahoma State but backed out just days before signing day because he wasn’t going to be able to play basketball. He signed with UH and played two seasons on the basketball team before concentrating on football. Bowser had his best seasons as a junior and senior, combining for 14 sacks and 18½ tackles for loss.
Both players earned allconference recognition at UH. Bowser was a secondround draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens, while Ward is trying to make the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent.
“The city of Houston and University of Houston have been very accepting of the Tyler kids that have gone on to play football there,” Holmes said. “That’s a tribute to the coaches that have been there, the institution and the city.”
Jones became the latest John Tyler player to make an impact for the Cougars. He appeared in 10 games as a freshman, starting the final five games. His 611 snaps were third most on the team.
While the Cougars are set at quarterback this season with Kyle Allen, D’Eriq King and Kyle Postma, Smith is expected to be a contributor sooner rather than later. In high school, Smith finished his career with 5,705 passing yards and 52 touchdowns while also rushing for 3,100 yards and 44 touchdowns.
All-conference or bust
On national signing day, UH coach Major Applewhite didn’t hold back on what the expectations have become for John Tyler players.
“Every player we have had from John Tyler has been an all-conference player for us or better,” Applewhite said. “I expect nothing different from Bryson, so I am going to put pressure on him. I think he can be really good.”
It’s those opportunities and spending time in the region, Holmes said, that has kept UH in the discussion for several of his players, even when schools from the so-called Power 5 conferences come calling.
“(The UH coaches) are very respectful of the recruiting game,” Holmes said. “They get to know our kids. The best way to recruit a kid is to show them you want them just as much as they want you.
“My kids have had offers from the University of Texas and Oklahoma and SEC schools. It hasn’t wavered them on going and doing what they want to do at the University of Houston.”