Top West Coast 2015 LB John Houston Offered by USC

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

As Spring evaluations are underway for the USC recruiting staff, one of their first stops this week was to Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, CA. Serra High School is a hot bed of talent. Among its alumni boast Robert Woods and Marqise Lee. Coming off a 2012 CIF Division II State Championship, Serra High School is still a young, talented team and returns many of its young standouts.

2015 LB John Houston is latest to be offered by USC

Coaches Ed Orgeron and Tee Martin were on hand to see 2015 LB John Houston on Monday afternoon’s weight training session, and Houston came away from it with a coveted prize.

“Coach O offered. He spoke with my parents as well later on in the evening and expressed to them their intentions to give me a full scholarship to USC” said Houston. “They reviewed my tape and loved me!”

At 6’3″, 203 lbs, Houston is a Top 5 LB recruit on the West Coast. He is a tall, athletic linebacker who plays the run and pass equally well.

“John was one of our most consistent performers as a Sophomore this year at Serra High School”, said Coach Joshua Dabbs, the Defensive Coordinator at Serra High School, “He plays the run downhill, drops into zone coverage just about as good as a safety, and can cover running backs and tight ends in man. He is talented, dedicated, intelligent, polite, and a natural leader. He truly embodies what it means to be a student-athlete”.

Houston’s performance at the Nike SPARQ camp a few weeks ago proved to be an eye opener to everyone. He earned First Runner up in MVP honors, with the MVP honors going to his Serra High School teammate and peer mentor, 2014 LB Dwight Williams.

Houston has now picked up three total offers, with two of them coming Monday from USC and Florida. UCLA was the first to offer him in recent weeks. When asked about how he felt about the USC offer, he stated “It is a really good feeling to be offered by USC. I worked hard all season and I feel I deserved this offer. It truly feels good to have schools that are local offering me. I am very excited about the opportunity.”

As for the season ahead, Houston has big goals for himself and his Serra teammates. “We have one of the best defenses in Southern California. But we can only improve from last year. I want us to work hard, and work as one again. If we do, we will go undefeated” , Houston continues, “I am a humble guy, I feel humbled by all of this. But I am a hard worker and will continue to work hard to make my family and my team proud. I am greatful for my opportunities!”