Oregon makes big splash with a Texas-sized haul
Oregon made quite the splash in Texas during this recruiting cycle, and the Ducks’ haul of fourstar recruits was finalized Wednesday as Cypress Ranch defensive end Ashton Porter signed his letter of intent.
Porter was one of the final pieces of the 2023 class headed to Eugene. He decommitted from Northwestern in October and received an offer from Oregon just eight days later.
After taking an official visit with the Ducks in December, Porter made his commitment during the Under Armour AllAmerican Game in Orlando in January.
Oregon was able to sign five of the top 50 players in Texas, two of which were from Houston. Porter will be joined by Dripping Springs quarterback Austin Novosad, Coppell defensive lineman Johnny Bowens, Cypress Woods defensive lineman Terrance Green and Flower Mound Marcus wide receiver Ashton Cozart.
Porter had a standout senior campaign for Cypress Ranch, recording 63 tackles (24 for loss), 15 sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery and one defensive touchdown. He was an AllGreater Houston first team selection for his efforts.
Porter was the 12thhighest rated player in the Houston area this year and was the No. 1 unsigned senior following the early period in December.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Oregon had the No. 9-ranked recruiting class in the country, according to 247Sports.
QB Hatter joins Kinne’s Bobcats
Westfield senior P.J. Hatter had one of the most productive seasons for a Houston-area quarterback in recent memory, accounting for nearly 5,000 yards and 67 touchdowns while leading the Mustangs on another lengthy postseason run.
Hatter was previously committed to Jackson State, but on Wednesday, he inked his letter of intent with Texas State and new head coach G.J. Kinne.
Hatter will join another prolific Houston signal-caller in San Marcos after former Fort Bend Marshall star Malik Hornsby transferred from Arkansas.
Texas State also added a pair of talented local defenders: C.E. King defensive lineman Jo’Laison Landry and former Paetow and Kilgore College linebacker Derick Mourning Jr. Mourning was the No. 7-ranked JUCO linebacker available for signing during the offseason.
3 Mustangs DBs announce choices
North Shore boasted one of the most talented secondaries in the Houston-area this past season. Three senior leaders for that unit are headed to the college level.
Safeties Jayven Anderson and Evan Jackson will remain teammates at North Texas, while cornerback Jacoby Davis is headed north to Kansas. All three were All-Greater Houston selections after helping North Shore reach the Class 6A Division I state championship game .
Running back Rashaad Johnson, who piled up 1,655 total yards and 24 touchdowns, is also headed to the Division I ranks at Lamar.
La. Tech adds some playmakers
Two of the Houston area’s top offensive playmakers are headed to Louisiana Tech as Cypress Ranch quarterback Blake Baker and C.E. King running back Keith Willis signed with the Conference USA program.
Baker accounted for more than 3,600 yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior, leading Cypress Ranch to a share of the District 16-6A title.
Willis, meanwhile, was the offensive catalyst for a C.E. King that made history by advancing to the regional championship for the first time in program history. Willis rushed for 1,515 yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior.
Louisiana Tech also signed Cypress Falls edge rusher Obinna Okeke ,a three-star recruit who also held offers from Navy, Houston Christian and Sam Houston, among others.
Nimitz S Huff remains unsigned
The top Houston-area player left on the board is Nimitz safety Cory Huff Jr., who decommitted from Baylor in December.
Huff is a three-star recruit who also holds offers from Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, SMU and UTSA among others. Recruiting analysts at both 247Sports and Rivals seem to think Texas State could be in the mix as well.