Houston picked up one of many prime commitments in program historical past on Monday evening.
4-star athlete at Spring (Texas) College of Sports activities Science, Cason Henderson, has determined to decide to his hometown program.
Henderson is the highest-rated prospect to decide to Houston since five-star defensive lineman Ed Oliver within the 2016 class 10 recruiting cycles.
Touchdown the No. 32 total choose within the nation indicators a variety of positives for the Cougars in and of itself. However what may occur subsequent actually units the stage for an thrilling recruiting season in Houston.
The entire premise of this draft was that Houston was going full steam forward of their efforts to recruit Henderson. As probably the perfect expertise within the Houston space within the 2026 class, Henderson was shortly recognized as the highest goal for Willie Fritz and his workers. What makes him much more impactful is their plan for him to grow to be a quarterback.
Earlier than Houston joined the Energy Convention, there would have been virtually a zero p.c probability of turning into an elite athlete. Now of their second yr within the Large-12 and with a brand new star-studded roster, issues are trying up for Houston as they appear to ascertain a nationwide presence within the ever-changing panorama of faculty soccer.
The face of this system
Henderson had mentioned in earlier weeks that he appreciated the strategy Fritz and his workers took in promoting the Houston concept. Briefly, the sale was imagined to be principally a contemporary Ed Oliver program.
Oliver, a former five-star prospect turned top-10 NFL draft choose, was the face of this system throughout his three years in faculty. As a real freshman, he grew to become an instantaneous starter and began incomes accolades for his dominance.
There is not any certainty Henderson will begin as a real freshman, particularly at quarterback, however Sale’s aim was to construct this system round Henderson, utilizing him because the recruiting coordinator and the type and tradition of play when he arrives on campus.
As a homegrown prospect at crucial place on the sphere, Houston will give Henderson the chance to be the face of a rising program, a transfer not many different faculties can provide with the identical conviction.
Will Henderson lead a recruiting surge?
Henderson, a 7-on-7 star (at extensive receiver), is a really outgoing and outgoing recruit who will little doubt play an enormous position in attracting extra expertise to affix him in Houston.
And naturally, most of his efforts will encompass Houston expertise in an try and construct a program with homegrown expertise like himself. As a 2026 prospect, Henderson will have the ability to recruit in each the 2025 and 2026 lessons. After his dedication, Henderson already advised me he has a listing of gamers he’ll attain out to first.
That preliminary group included Rivals250 four-star extensive receiver Jakari Watson and four-star extensive receiver Jalen Cooper.
Prospects similar to four-star extensive receiver Christopher Stewart, four-star outdoors linebacker Kossi Okpala, four-star linebacker Tank King and three-star ahead Nicholas Robertson can even be among the many names on the prime of the goal checklist.