HOUSTON – Seventeen days into his new role, first-year Houston Football Head Coach Willie Fritz welcomed his inaugural signing class as the NCAA’s three-day early signing period got underway Wednesday morning.
Fritz announced the addition of 22 signees including seven from the greater Houston area. The group consists of 12 high school student-athletes and 10 transfers (8 four-year; 2 JUCO). Of the 12 offensive student-athletes signed, seven are offensive linemen, alongside two tight ends, two wide receivers and one running back. Defensively, the 10-member unit is broken down into four defensive linemen, three linebackers, two cornerbacks and one safety.
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“We had a great reception from the high school coaches across this state which was exciting,” Fritz said of hitting the ground running with recruiting. “I’m a former Texas football high school coach myself and I’m proud of that as well. There were also some positions we had an immediate need at. We targeted that with kids from the portal and junior college kids. I think last week every day we had somebody in.”
Larry Crawford – Offensive Line Georgia Military College / Monroe Area High School (Monroe, Ga.) 6-4 / 256 Prior to Houston · Spent one season at Georgia Military College (2023) · Played in 10 games · Helped Georgia Military to 8-2 record · Paved way for offense to average 31.7 points per game · Bulldogs averaged 296.8 yards per game High School · Prepped at Monroe Area · Played tight end and defensive end · 32 tackles (14 solo) in 2023 · 4.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in seven games
JayShon Ridgle – Wide Receiver Athens High School (Athens, Ala.) 6-0 / 197 High School · Three-star prospect by 247Sports · No. 39 ranked athlete (247Sports) · No. 31 ranked player in Alabama (247Sports) · 78 receptions for 1,070 yards and five touchdowns in 2023 · Averaged 13.7 yards per catch and 97.3 yards per game · Also rushed 23 times for 135 yards and nine touchdowns · Averaged 5.9 yards per carry · 175 kick return yards in 2023 · Alabama state champion 110-meter hurdler in track and field · 14.06 seconds in 110-meter hurdles · 10.80 mark in the 100 meters · 22 feet, 4 inches in long jump · Played multiple positions in high school · 2023 AHSAA North-South All-Star Game invitee
Zion Taylor – Defensive End Shadow Creek High School (Pearland, Texas) 6-1 / 240 High School · Three-star prospect by 247, ESPN and rivals · Ranked No. 93 EDGE player nationally according to 247Sports · Ranked No. 192 player in Texas according to 247Sports · For his career: 72 tackles, 50 solo stops, 15.5 sacks and 20 quarterback hurries · 24.5 tackles for loss in 28 career games played · 20+ tackles, 15+ solo stops and 7+ TFLs in all three seasons at Shadow Creek · Career high 28 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss across 10 games in 2023 · 2022 Texas District 23-6A First Team All-District · Helped Sharks to undefeated regular season and area playoffs in 2022 · 2021 Texas District 23-6A Defensive Newcomer of Year as sophomore · 20 tackles, 8 TFLs and four sacks in nine games in 2021 · Played 2020 freshman season at Fort Bend Ridge Point · Also competed in shot put, posting mark of 37 feet, 8 inches, as a sophomore · Brother Brandon Bell played football at New Mexico State · Brother DePriest Taylor plays at Prairie View A&M
Darius Washington – Defensive Line Lake Ridge High School (Mansfield, Texas) 6-5 / 235 High School · Three-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN · Nation’s No. 90 ranked defensive lineman (247Sports) · No. 104 overall player in Texas (247Sports) · First season of football came as a senior in 2023 · 19 tackles (14 solo) in five games played · Also played basketball
Wednesday Dakota White – Offensive Line Louisiana Tech / Katy High School (Katy, Texas) 6-4 / 305 Prior to Houston · Spent four seasons at Louisiana Tech (2020-23) · Appeared in 43 career games (1,761 snaps) · 30 career starts (26 at left tackle; 4 at right tackle) · 1,840 career snaps at left tackle; 448 career snaps at right tackle · Started 11 games and played 695 snaps at left tackle in 2023 · Allowed just two sacks in 399 opportunities in 2023 · Did not allow a sack in final eight games (282 opportunities) · Paved way for seven 100+ yard rushing games · 97.2 pass blocking efficiency according to PFF · Helped Bulldogs rank second in C-USA with 243 first downs · Bulldogs ranked third in C-USA with 260.9 passing yards per game · 66.0 pass block grade by PFF ranked 10th in Conference USA among tackles · No sacks or QB pressures allowed in 46 chances at Nebraska (Sept. 23) · Started all 12 games at left tackle during 2022 (789 snaps) · Recognized on 2022 Conference USA Honorable Mention Team · Just one sack allowed in final six games (229 chances) · Paved way for eight 100+ yard rushing games · Played in 12 games in 2021 including 540 snaps on offensive line · Made four starts at right tackle including final three games of season · Eight games played as true freshman in 2020 · Recognized on 2020 Conference USA All-Freshman Team · Started final three games of season at left tackle · Played 281 snaps on offensive line · Allowed just one sack in 148 opportunities · LA Tech ranked second nationally in 4th down conversions (88.9%) High School · Prepped at Katy · Three-star prospect according to 247Sports and ESPN · No. 85 offensive guard nationally according to 247Sports · No. 178 overall player in Texas according to 247Sports · 2019 First-Team All-District 19-6A as senior · As a senior, Katy finished 12-1 and ranked fourth in state · 2018 Second-Team All-District 19-6A as junior · Helped squad to 11-2 record and No. 5 ranking in state
Maurice Williams II – Safety Shadow Creek High School (Pearland, Texas) 6-1 / 200 High School · Four-star prospect according to ESPN and rivals · Three-star prospect by 247Sports · Ranked No. 26 safety nationally according to rivals · Ranked No. 49 player in Texas according to rivals · No. 8 overall player in Houston according to 247Composite rankings · Selected to participate in 24th edition of All-American Bowl (Jan. 6, 2024) · 2022 Texas District 23-6A First Team (unanimous) · Helped Shadow Creek to 9-2 record including 6-1 mark in district in 2023 · 26 tackles, including 19 solo stops, and one interception in six games during 2023 · Four career interceptions including two as a junior in 2022 · 43 tackles, including 30 solo stops, and three passes defended in 11 games in 2022 · 46 tackles, including 32 solo stops, across 12 games in 2021 · Helped Shadow Creek to Texas 6A D-II Second Round Playoffs in 2021 · Played at Houston Episcopal as freshman in 2020
Everitt Rogers – Defensive Line Tulsa / Ellison High School (Killeen, Texas) 6-1 / 298 Prior to Houston · Spent four seasons at Tulsa (2020-23) · 32 career games played · 1,297 defensive snaps across four seasons · 64 tackles including 31 in 2023 · Played in 12 games and started final 10 games of season · 3+ tackles in seven different games · 0.5 tackles for loss in each of first three games · Season best four tackles three times including Sept. 16 vs. Oklahoma · Played in all 12 games in 2022 · Made 10 starts during 2022 · 23 tackles and one tackle for loss · Season high five stops vs. USF · Played eight games during 2021 season · Missed final five games due to injury · 10 tackles · Played seven games as true freshman in 2020 · Finished with five tackles · Earned playing time in season opener at #11 Oklahoma State High School · Prepped at Ellison · Four-year letterwinner and three-year starter · 268 tackles, 86 TFLs and 24 sacks throughout his career · 80 tackles, 32 TFL and eight sacks as a senior · 77 tackles, 31 TFL and six sacks as a junior · First-Team 12-6A All-District honors as a senior · Second-Team 12-6A All-District honors as a junior · Lettered in track and powerlifting
Traville Frederick Jr. – Tight End Jeanerette High School (Jeanerette, La.) 6-3 / 210 High School · Three-star prospect by 247Sports, rivals and ESPN · Nation’s No. 48 ranked tight end (247Sports) · No. 29 ranked player in Louisiana (247Sports) · Helped Jeanerette to 10-3 record and run to playoff quarterfinals · 36 receptions for 512 yards and 10 receiving TDs in 2023 · 14.2 yards per completion in 2023 · 32 catches for 523 yards and five touchdowns in 2022 · 2021 7-AA Second-Team All-District · Also played baseball · Competed in track and field · Louisiana 2A Regional qualifier in javelin as sophomore
Ray’Quan Bell – Offensive Lineman Westfield High School (Houston, Texas) 6-4 / 305 High School · Three-star prospect by 247Sports, rivals and ESPN · Nation’s No. 60 ranked interior offensive lineman (247Sports) · No. 132 overall player in Texas (247Sports) · Four-year varsity letterwinner · 2024 Under Armour All-America Game invitee (Jan. 3) · Helped Westfield to 11-3 record including 10 straight victories · Westfield finished first in the district at 7-0 · Powered running game to 13.0 yards per carry and 279.5 yards per game · 2023 Touchdown Club of Houston Preseason Team · 2022 Texas District 14-6A Unanimous First-Team selection · Helped Mustangs to 12-2 finish · 2022 Third-Team Texas Writers Association 6A All-State · 2021 Texas District 14-6A First-Team selection
Kendré Gant – Linebacker Louisiana / Port St. Joe High School (Port St. Joe, Fla.) 6-4 / 222 Prior to Houston · Spent three seasons at Louisiana (2021-23) · Spent one season at Independence CC in Kansas (2020) · Began collegiate career at FIU (2019) · 2023 Sun Belt All-Conference Honorable Mention · Appeared in 11 games and made seven starts during 2023 (571 snaps) · Seven starts – all at linebacker · Team leader with 12 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks · Fourth on team with 64 tackles · 4+ tackles in 10 of 11 games · 83.6 pass rush grade ranked 18th nationally among linebackers · 79.7 overall grade ranked sixth among Sun Belt linebackers · Fifth nationally with three fumbles recovered · 13th nationally in forced fumbles per game (0.27) · Tackles for loss in six of his final nine games · 11 games played (209 snaps) in 2022 · Played 189 snaps at linebacker including starting final two games of season · 15 tackles including seven solo stops · One game played during 2021 season · Redshirted during 2019 at FIU High School · Three-star recruit by 247Sports · Started all four years at Port St. Joe · Led team to Florida state title and a finalist finish · Played multiple positions · Earned time at defensive back, linebacker and wideout · 62 tackles, two interceptions and forced three fumbles as a senior · 47 catches for 960 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior
Ronnell McLain – Offensive Lineman DeSoto High School (DeSoto, Texas) 6-4 / 310 High School · Three-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN · Nation’s No. 106 ranked interior offensive lineman (247Sports) · No. 197 overall player in Texas according (247Sports) · Three-year varsity letterwinner · Led DeSoto to consecutive 6A-D2 State championships · 2023 First-Team All-District 11-6A · 2022 First-Team All-District 11-6A · 2022 Third-Team All-State
Michael Batton – Linebacker ULM / Seven Lakes High School (Houston, Texas) 6-2 / 200 Prior to Houston · Spent two seasons at ULM, playing all 24 games (2022-23) · Spent 2021 season at Nassau CC in Garden City New York · Began collegiate career at Houston Christian · ULM team leader in tackles (80.0) in 2023 · 6.7 tackles per game ranked 19th in Sun Belt during 2023 · 607 snaps played during 2023 including 444 on defense · 5+ tackles in 10 of 12 games · 10 tackles on two occasions (Sept. 9 vs. Lamar; Sept. 30 vs. App State) · Season best eight solo tackles at Texas A&M (Sept. 16) · 377 snaps played during 2022 including 249 on defense · 45 tackles including 31 solo stops during 2022 · 16 tackles including 15 solo stops at Georgia State (Nov. 12) · 10 tackles in season finale vs. Southern Miss (Nov. 26) · Played nine games at quarterback with Nassau CC in 2021 · Went 67 of 101 for 747 yards and nine touchdowns (4 interceptions) · Rushed for three scores and 353 yards · 14 of 17 passing for 102 yards and two passing TDs vs. Sussex County (Oct. 2) · Did not compete during 2020 season at Houston Christian · Listed as wide receiver at Houston Christian High School · Three-year starter at quarterback at Seven Lakes (Katy, Texas) · Three-time all-district selection · Accounted for 5,000+ yards total offense and 45 touchdowns in his career · 2,352 career passing yards and 25 career TD passes rank second in school history · Completed 90-of-166 passes (.542) for 1,405 yards, 17 TDs as a senior (2018) · 2018 All-District 19-6A Second-Team honors · Rushed for 163 yards and two TDs as a senior · Three 200-yard passing games as a senior · Multiple TD passes in six games as a senior · 323 yards total offense vs. Cinco Ranch · 12 of 28 passing for 253 yards and four TDs and 70 rushing yards vs. Cinco Ranch · 13 of 18 for 212 yards and four scores vs. Mayde Creek alongside one rushing TD · 11 of 19 for 204 yards and two TDs vs. Katy Taylor · 54-of-128 passing for 884 yards, eight TDs as a sophomore (2016) · Also ranked as Spartans’ third-leading rusher with 55 attempts for 209 yards and four TDs
Kris Davis – Cornerback Southern / Baker High School (Mobile, Ala.) 6-2 / 180 Prior to Houston · Spent five years at Southern (2019-23) · 31 career games played · 76 career tackles (56 solo stops) · 3 career INTs – all since the start of the 2022 season · 22 career passes defended including 14 in 2023 · 14 passes defended in 2023 ranked seventh in FCS · Career high 41 tackles (29 solo) during 2022 · Two interceptions and eight passes defended · 13 tackles in 2022 SWAC Championship at Jackson State (Dec. 3, 2022) · Nine solo stops in SWAC Championship High School · Prepped at Baker (Ala.) · Competed in both football and basketball
Jake Wiley – Offensive Line UCLA / Colorado / Eaglecrest High School (Centennial, Colo.) 6-4 / 305 Prior to Houston · Spent 2023 season at UCLA · Began collegiate career at Colorado (2019-22) · 42 career games played (1,621 snaps) · 32 games played on offensive line · Career o-line snaps: 731 at right tackle, 628 at left tackle and 93 at right guard · As reserve offensive lineman, played 12 games (150 snaps) in 2023 · 93 snaps at right guard; 57 special teams snaps · No sacks and one quarterback hit allowed in 40 opportunities · Played 12 games and made 10 starts, all at right tackle, at Colorado in 2022 · Four sacks allowed in 388 opportunities · 12 starts in 2021 (11 at left tackle; one at right tackle) · Played in all six games during 2020 including Alamo Bowl · Did not see game action in 2019 High School · Prepped at Eaglecrest (Colo.) · Three-star prospect according to 247Sports, ESPN and rivals · ESPN’s No. 9 player in Colorado · Second ranked guard in Colorado (ESPN) · No. 57 guard nationally (ESPN) · In three seasons, helped Raptors to a 34-4 record including 14-1 in league games · As a senior, earned Second-Team All-Metro East honors · Helped Eaglecrest to 10-2 record and state quarterfinals appearance · Eaglecrest boasted one of the top rushing offenses in the state · Program averaged 362.8 yard per game with 58 touchdowns · Played defense for the first time as a senior · 31 tackles, including 5.0 TFLS, 2.0 sacks, and five QB hurries at defensive end · As a junior, helped team to 13-1 record and state championship appearance · Eaglecrest went 11-1 his sophomore season and lost in the quarterfinals · Also played basketball for one season · Two seasons competing in track and field (shot put and discus)
DJ Butler – Running Back WP Davidson High School (Mobile, Ala.) 6-0 / 185 High School · Three-star prospect by 247Sports, rivals and ESPN · No. 100 ranked running back nationally (247Sports) · No. 80 ranked player in Alabama (247Sports) · 4,492 career rushing yards and 55 career rushing scores · 17 career 100+ yard rushing performances · 516 career kickoff return yards · WKRG (Mobile, Ala.)’s Zaxby’s Player of the Year · Rushing, passing and receiving touchdown in 2023 · Played in just nine games due to injury in 2023 · Ran for 1,936 yards on 204 carries (9.5 yards per carry) · 20 rushing touchdowns as a senior · Threw for 209 yards and five touchdowns · Helped team qualify for Class 7A playoffs for first time since 2018 · 184 carries for 1,338 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior · Averaged 7.3 yards per carry and 133.8 yards per game
Kaleb Thomas – Tight End North Shore High School (Houston, Texas) 6-3 / 225 High School · Three-star prospect by 247Sports, rivals and ESPN · Nation’s No. 96 ranked tight end (247Sports) · No. 276 overall player in Texas according (247Sports) · No. 63 on VYPE’s Houston Hot 100 for Class of 2024 · Three-year varsity letterwinner · Helped lead North Shore to 2021 6A-D1 State Title · 2022 21-6A First Team All-District · 18 receptions for 233 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2022 · Missed majority of senior season
Jeremiah Wilson – Cornerback Syracuse / Osceola High School (Kissimmee, Fla.) 5-10 / 179 Prior to Houston · Spent 2022-23 seasons at Syracuse · 647 snaps played including 285 during 2023 · 37 tackles, including 29 solo stops, in 22 games played · Six passes defended including five in nine games during 2023 · Career high 10 tackles including nine solo stops vs. Purdue on Sept. 16 · 72.5 coverage grade in 2023 ranked sixth among ACC underclassmen · Appeared in all 13 games either on special teams or as a reserve corner in 2022 · One of three true freshmen to play in every game in 2022 · 21 tackles (16 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup in his rookie season · Tallied fifth-most special teams tackles on team with three (one kickoff, two punts) · Solo tackle in collegiate debut vs. Louisville (Sept. 3) · Multiple tackles in seven different games · Three-plus tackles on five occasions · 1.5 tackles for loss at UConn (Sept. 10) · One tackle in the Pinstripe Bowl vs. Minnesota (Dec. 29) · Member of the ACC Honor Roll · Member of the SU Athletic Director’s Honor Roll in the spring semester High School · Prepped at Osceola · Three-star prospect by 247Sports and rivals · One of Top 100 cornerbacks in class of 2022 by 247Sports · 41 tackles (17 solo, 24 assists) and two interceptions in 2021 · Led team to a 9-3 record and the region semifinals · Team was state runner-up in 2020 · Honorable Mention Class 8A All-State as a junior · Member of the track & field team
Corey Platt Jr. – Linebacker Tulane / Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock, Ark.) 6-1 / 215 Prior to Houston · Spent three seasons at Tulane (2021-23) · Played 446 snaps across 15 career games · 40 career tackles, including 31 solo stops · Three career TFLs, 2.0 sacks and one interception · 15 tackles in less than three quarters in 2023 season opener vs. South Alabama · Tore Achilles against South Alabama, missing rest of season · Played 13 games in 2022 · 25 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, one sack and one interception · 83.6 tackling grade (PFF) ranked 23rd nationally among linebackers (min. 200 snaps) · 80.1 coverage grade (PFF) was 24th nationally (linebackers, min. 200 snaps) · 80.2 defensive grade (PFF) was 29th nationally (linebackers; min. 200 snaps) · Multiple tackles in nine of 13 games · Four tackles as part of 26 snaps played against Houston on Sept. 30 · 42 snaps played during 2021 redshirt season High School · Prepped at Little Rock Christian Academy · Three-star prospect according to ESPN 247Sports · 10th-best prospect in the state of Arkansas · Helped guide team to three straight Class 5A state championship games · Starred on both sides of the ball as a senior · 24 touchdowns on offense, including 14 receiving and 10 rushing scores · Totaled 71 tackles, including three tackles for loss · Four interceptions and three forced fumbles · 154 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks as junior · Helped team to state championship as a sophomore
Hingano Hautau – Offensive Line Foothill College / Willow Glen High School (San Jose, Calif.) 6-6 / 325 Prior to Houston · Spent two seasons at Foothill College (2022-23) · 18 games played · 2023 Region II All-American Offensive Tackle · 2023 Pacific 7 All-League MVP · Helped team to perfect 11-0 season in 2023 · Foothill averaged 436.9 yards per game including 249.7 on ground · Program averaged 44.3 points per game · Helped team to 8-3 mark in 2022 · Squad averaged 443.4 yards per game including 235.7 on ground High School · Prepped at Willow Glen · Two-sport athlete (football and basketball)
Derek Joiner – Offensive Line Grandview High School (Kansas City, Mo.) 6-3 / 285 High School · Three-star prospect by 247Sports · Nation’s No. 72 interior offensive lineman (247Sports) · Missouri’s No. 20 overall player (247Sports) · Played both sides of line of scrimmage as junior · Three-sport athlete (football, wrestling and track and field) · All-state heavy weight wrestler · MSHSAA Class 4A Shotput State Champion at just under 58 feet · Top six finisher as sophomore in 285-pound weight class in Missouri Class 3 · 46 feet, 8 inches, in shot put as sophomore · 125 feet, 6 ½ inches in discus as sophomore
Demarcus Johnson – Defensive Line Fort Bend Marshall High School (Missouri City, Texas) 6-7 / 250 High School · Three-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN · Nation’s No. 91 ranked defensive lineman (247Sports) · No. 105 overall player in Texas (247Sports) · Two-way player at offensive tackle and multiple d-line spots · 39 tackles (18 solo) in nine games played in 2023 · Played first season of football in 2023 · Also played basketball (forward)
Koby Young – Wide Receiver Holy Cross High School (New Orleans, La.) 5-11 / 175 High School · Four-star prospect according to rivals · Three-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN · No. 11 overall player in Louisiana (rivals) · No. 74 ranked wide receiver nationally (rivals) · 2023 First-Team All-District 9-5A · 733 all-purpose yards across 10 games in 2023 · 21 receptions for 301 yards (14.3 per catch) and two touchdowns · 11 kickoff returns for 307 yards (27.9 per return) · Six punt returns for 122 yards (20.3 per return) · 41 receptions for 667 yards and four touchdowns in 2022 · 61 rushes for 327 yards and one touchdown in 2022 · Completed 4 of 5 passes for 119 yards in 2022 · 2021 First-Team All-District 9-5A as kick returner · Also competed in track · Part of state-winning 4x100-meter relay team · 22.78 time in 200 meters during spring 2023 · 11.47 time in 100 meters during spring 2022 · Older brother Kalija Lipscomb played at Vanderbilt