No news on Signing Day? It didn't bring down Houston
De'Mariyon Houston had a front-and-center seat for Signing Day.
It just wasn't his signing day.
Houston, one of the best wide receivers in the country, was an observer Wednesday afternoon at Millwood High School. He sat in the front row of the gym bleachers instead of behind the blue-and-red-draped table. He wore his uniform khakis and collared shirt instead of the colors of his future school. He watched as Marcus Major Jr. signed with Oklahoma.
Wednesday was a day many players around the country realized a dream. Signing that National Letter of Intent celebrates what they've accomplished while at the same time sealing a prime opportunity for the future.
But what if Signing Day comes and goes without you?
How do you feel when someone else is living your dream?
"I'm beyond proud," Houston said after the ceremony amid the buzz of the emptying gym. "It makes my heart happy."
He glanced across the floor at Major.
"I almost shed a tear," Houston said. "That's my guy right there."
This, you see, was supposed to be the day that Houston and Major sat side by side and signed letters of intent. These guys are best friends, as close as brothers, and they wanted to do this together.
Only a few weeks ago, their plan was intact. Major, the running back, would sign with OU, and Houston, the wide receiver, would ink with Texas.
Then Texas, where Houston had long been committed, backed off. No one around Millwood knows exactly why. But the Monday after the Big 12 title game, Houston decided to de-commit.
He visited Minnesota a couple weekends ago, and there's talk of other trips. But he still isn't sure.
This guy can play. He has blazing speed. He has strong hands. Ranked by Rivals as a four-star recruit, the 6-foot, 165-pound prospect has 25 scholarship offers including the likes of Alabama, Notre Dame and OU. He is going to have an opportunity to play major-college football somewhere.
He'd have loved to have made it official Wednesday, to have a process he thought he was over and done with when he committed to Texas in July actually over. But he still loved watching Major have his moment.
Houston applauded when Major was introduced. Smiled when Major bumbled a bit on the microphone. Snapped a photo when he put pen to paper.
Houston looked genuinely happy.
Talked that way, too. He was even a little philosophical about the situation.
"In life, you have to learn to do things by yourself," he said. "I can't do nothing but be happy."
When teammates gathered in behind Major for a picture after the ceremony, Houston hustled over to get a spot right behind him. Houston put his hands on Major's shoulders, leaned over to say a few words, then smiled as big as anyone as cameras snapped.
He wasn't about to let his situation sour his mood.
After all, there's another signing day in February.
"I'm there," Houston said. "It's gonna be fun."