Houston Gives Gilmer’s LaMarcus Morton Third Offer Of Thursday

It wasn't over until it was really over. That's how you can sum up LaMarcus Morton's Thursday.

Houston extended a college football scholarship opportunity the Gilmer receiver's way late in the evening hours. Morton (6-2, 175) first announced the Cougars' offer through his personal Twitter account.

Louisiana Tech and Memphis offered the current junior earlier in the day. In total, there are now 11 FBS invitations in Morton's portfolio.

Morton was part of a Gilmer offensive machine last season in an undefeated run to the Class 4A Division II state semifinals. He helped maintain a winning streak of 31 games, dating back to Week 1 of the 2014 season, before the campaign ended with a loss to state runner-up Celina.

Gilmer produced 6,357 yards of offense through its 15-game season, and the production was nearly dead even between the passing and running facets.

Ten receivers caught for at least 100 yards last season and 17 players touched the ball toward 3,199 team receiving yards. But Morton led the way with 589 yards and seven touchdowns on 34 receptions.

Morton had 118 more yards than the next closest receiver.

Houston turned in a very successful 2015 season under first-year head coach Tom Herman. It finished the year ranked eighth in the final Associated Press poll following a win in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against Florida State.

Not only did the Cougars take down a program a year removed from a College Football Playoff appearance, they also won the American Athletic Conference championship game en route to their 13-1 overall record.

Former John Tyler quarterback Greg Ward Jr. was a huge part of the run. He threw for 2,828 yards and 17 touchdowns to six interceptions and also led the team in rushing with 1,301 yards and 21 ground scores.

Perhaps in part because of Ward's success, Herman's staff has been a big player among the local junior class of 21 players with at least one FBS offer.

Morton is the sixth East Texas prospect to hold a Cougars invitation and the third outside of John Tyler High School.

The John Tyler trio of receiver Damion Miller, defensive back Javontavius Mosley and quarterback Bryson Smith are being recruited to the Third Ward. Tyler Bishop Gorman receiver Judah Bell and Henderson receiver Trestan Ebner plus Morton are the other regional players on Houston's 2017 board.

John Tyler defensive tackle Braylon Jones, his school's valedictorian, signed with the program earlier this year and will report to Houston immediately after graduating later this month.

Morton, like all high school football prospects currently in their junior year, will become eligible to sign with any school that offers him in February.

2017 East Texas Football Players With Division I FBS Offers

• Judah Bell, Tyler Bishop Gorman, WR, 6-3, 180 — offers from Bowling Green, Coastal Carolina, Houston, Kansas, Memphis, Navy, North Texas, SMU, ULL, ULM, UTSA, Wyoming (12)
• Noah Bush, Athens, LB, 6-2, 225 — offer from Army (1)
• Lagaryonn Carson, Liberty-Eylau, DE, 6-4, 261 — committed to Texas; additional offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, North Texas, Oklahoma, TCU, Tennessee, Texas A&M (9)
• Trestan Ebner, Henderson, WR, 5-11, 180 — offers from Arkansas, Arkansas State, Colorado State, Houston, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi State, Missouri, North Texas, Ole Miss, SMU, Syracuse, UTSA, TCU, Tulsa (16)
• Montrell Estell, Hooks, WR/DB, 6-2, 180 — offers from Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, Kansas, Notre Dame, SMU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas State, Texas Tech, Tulane (12)
• Octavius Evans, Center, WR, 6-2, 186 — offers from Indiana, Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Texas State, ULL (7)
• Ted Fuller, Harleton, RB, 5-11, 195 — offer from ULM (1)
• Austin Hawley, Gladewater, DB, 6-1, 200 — offer from ULM (1)
• Kollin Hurt, Gilmer, DB, 6-3, 175 — offer from ULM (1)
• Jordan Johnson, Hooks, ATH, 6-0, 195 — committed to Air Force (1)
• Kayce Medlock, Arp, ATH, 5-9, 186 — offers from Army, Colorado, Navy, SMU, Tulane, ULL (6)
• Damion Miller, John Tyler, WR, 6-1, 189 — committed to Texas; additional offers from Baylor, Houston, Kansas, Missouri, North Texas, Oklahoma State; Ole Miss; SMU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech (11)
• LaMarcus Morton, Gilmer, WR, 6-2, 175 — offers from Arkansas State, Colorado State, Houston, Indiana, Louisiana Tech, Memphis, Texas Tech, Tulsa, ULL, ULM, UTSA (11)
• Javontavius Mosley, John Tyler, CB, 6-1, 170 — offers from Arkansas State, Houston, North Texas, SMU, Southern Miss, Texas State, ULL, ULM, UTSA (9)
• Dhailon Phillips, Lufkin, WR, 6-3, 195 — offer from Texas State (1)
• Kordell Rodgers, Lufkin, QB/ATH, 5-10, 165 — offers from Arkansas State, Texas State, ULM (3)
• Makyle Sanders, Tyler Lee, S, 6-2, 175 -- offer from Memphis (1)
• Bryson Smith, John Tyler, QB/ATH, 6-0, 170 — offers from Air Force, Arkansas State, Bowling Green, Houston, New Mexico, North Texas, Purdue, SMU, Southern Miss, Texas State, Tulane, Tulsa, ULL, ULM, UTSA (15)
• Major Tennison, Bullard, TE, 6-6, 248 — committed to Texas; additional offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, SMU, Texas Tech (12)
• Josh Thompson, Nacogdoches, CB, 6-0, 180 — offered by Arkansas State, Colorado State, Louisiana Tech, Minnesota, North Texas, Ohio, SMU, Texas State, Tulane, ULM, Utah, UTSA, Washington State, Wyoming (14)
• Traveion Webster, Longview, S, 6-0, 197 — offered by ULM (1)