| National Signing Day 2016 |
The Houston Cougars will look to build on the success they had in a 13-1 season in the first year under coach Tom Herman with a recruiting class highlighted by five-star defensive tackle Ed Oliver.
The 6-foot-2, 290-pound Oliver, who went to Houston Westfield, was rated the sixth-best prospect in the country by 247Sports.com and will add the physicality that Herman loves.
Houston also added former Texas A&M quarterback Kyle Allen this winter, but he won't be able to help until 2017 because he must sit out this season due to transfer rules. Allen appeared in 20 games with 14 starts for the Aggies in two seasons, throwing for 2,210 yards with 17 touchdowns last year.
The Cougars also added another local star in Bellaire, Texas, wide receiver Courtney Lark. The consensus four-star recruit had 68 receptions for 1,222 yards and 18 touchdowns last season to cap a career in which he received first-team, all-district recognition in three straight seasons.
Offensive tackle Na'Ty Rodgers, a junior college transfer from Iowa Western, is headed to Houston.
Rodgers, who went to junior college after redshirting at South Carolina in 2013, was rated as the No. 7 overall junior college player by ESPN after helping Iowa Western to back to back conference titles.
Other things to know:
- Top 25 Class: No.
- Best in class: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston.
- Best of the rest: Courtney Lark, WR, Bellaire, Texas.
- Late addition: D'Eriq King, athlete, Manvel, Texas.
- One that got away: Tyrie Cleveland, WR, Houston. Chose Florida.
- How they'll fit in: Oliver should start immediately for a defense that will undoubtedly benefit from his size. Rodgers should make the transition to Division I football easily after playing two seasons in junior college and Lark could also see playing time early after the Cougars lost several receivers to graduation.
