'13 OH FB (FR) - William Houston (Preferred Walk-On)

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Fullback
Dublin, Ohio
Scioto

Ht: 6'0"
Wt: 232 lbs
40: ??

Ohio State has offered Houston as a preferred walk-on.

Miles 11W ‏@Miles11W

Buckeye Legacy William Houston is very interested in Ohio State http://www.elevenwarriors.com/blogs/...-nebraska-game …

Jared Shanker ‏@JShankerESPN

The nation's No. 2 FB William Houston has walk-on offers from #OhioState and #Michigan Michigan, OSU like No. 2 fullback Houston - Football Recruiting - Midwest Region Blog - ESPN #Vandy #PennState #MichiganState

ESPN

Dublin (Ohio) Scioto fullback William Houston has been doing it all for his high school team this year, and Big Ten teams are taking notice.

Houston, who already has a Bowling Green offer, has around 1,500 rushing yards, 500 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns this season through seven games. Those numbers have drawn the interest of Illinois, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Vanderbilt. Most of them are looking at him as a preferred walk-on, but some are still evaluating his senior film and could offer.

If it came down to going to Bowling Green as a walk-on or a BCS program, Houston is not sure which way he would go.

“That’s a tough one,” he said. “I talked with my coach about that. He was saying that’s free school, paid by a school that wants you. But I have no idea.”

If Houston goes the walk-on route, Ohio State appears to be in as good a position as any to get the country’s No. 2 fullback. His father played for the Buckeyes and would like to see Houston follow his footsteps but will stand behind whichever decision he makes.

A scholarship has not been ruled out by the Ohio State staff either.

“Right now I’m trying not to think too much about it but that’d definitely be an option considering the coaches are talking to me about earning a scholarship after spring ball,” said Houston, who will graduate Dec. 21 and enroll early.

Although Houston does not have a scholarship from either team, he could be in the middle of yet another Michigan-Ohio State battle. The Michigan staff called Houston’s coach Tuesday afternoon and said it also would like him as a walk-on.

Michigan and Ohio State both like Houston as a fullback while Michigan State believes 5-foot-11, 231-pound senior can play running back. Illinois, Louisville and Vanderbilt are talking to Johnson about a hybrid role that could include some H-back.

Penn State is in close contact with Houston and even went to a game recently. He speaks with assistant Charlie Fisher regularly and said a coach came by his high school during the day as well.

“They’re telling me to continue what I’m doing and in time it’ll come and to stay patient,” he said.

“A lot of schools are saying the same thing.”

This kid is rated simalr to Carlos Hyde coming out of HS...


He'd be a great addition as a PWO...

Jared Shanker ‏@JShankerESPN

The No. 2 fulback in the country William Houston likes what his role could be at #PennState, similar to Zach Zwinakhttp://es.pn/QOysZm #PSU

ESPN

William Houston (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Scioto) is the No. 2 fullback in the country, but Penn State is telling him he could be a lot more in its offense. He saw that firsthand Saturday.

Houston could land a Penn State scholarship offer soon, and the Nittany Lions believe the 5-foot-11, 232-pound back could be a physical change-of-pace player in their backfield, similar to Zach Zwinak, who led the Lions with 12 carries and 42 yards this weekend.

“I saw Zach Zwinak, saw him go into the game for a couple series and saw what he did, and I’m fine with that,” Houston said. “Anything I’m asked to do in college I’m fine with.”

Ohio State is asking the three-star Houston to join the team as a walk-on and play fullback. He is considering going that route, as his father played for Ohio State, which is just a few minutes from his Dublin home.

“[Ohio State] struggled to move the ball the first half. I was a little shocked about that, but Penn State came out strong,” he said. “I was just watching, more so being a spectator than a fan of either side.”

The “White Out” atmosphere at Penn State was equal to the scene Houston experienced a few weeks earlier when the Buckeyes hosted Nebraska, he said.

“The White Out experience was incredible. ... It was a lot louder than a lot of other games. This was pretty loud. I was shocked.”

Penn State improved its chances to land Houston with his visit Saturday.

“It helped because I saw it’s a college town and the whole town is behind Penn State, especially after all that happened,” he said. “The loyalty of the fans helped out a lot.”

William Houston ‏@Thewillhouston

I will be playing football for The Ohio State University, in the fall. #GoBuckeyes #BuckeyeNation

Really hope this kid succeeds.

this kid is a load!! i love the film!!!