What a score for the University of Houston. On and off the field.

John Tyler defensive tackle Braylon Jones -- a senior in the running for valedictorian of his graduating class -- announced a commitment to the Cougars program late Monday evening in favor of offers from Air Force, Army, Colorado State and Navy.

"I just want to thank all my family and coaches throughout this recruiting process," Jones wrote out in a statement attached to his announcement via Twitter. "I want to thank them for all the advice. Also I want to thank all the teams and the coaches that recruited me. Excited to say I've decided to commit to the University of Houston."

Jones (6-3, 285) turned in strong numbers on a John Tyler team that reached the Class 5A Division I state semifinals last season. He recorded 88 tackles, including 17 for loss and seven sacks.

The defensive tackle visited Houston this past weekend. He also worked out for the program at a satellite camp in Kilgore earlier in the summer despite already holding an offer from the program.

Houston has made some big waves in the recruiting sphere since hiring former Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman fresh off of his national championship with the Buckeyes in January. Jones' commitment marked the Herman regime's 15th among senior high school players and its first from East Texas.

Houston Westfield defensive tackle Ed Oliver, a fellow senior, also has committed to the Houston program. The Westfield product is considered a five-star recruit by 24/7Sports.com, Scout.com and ESPN.

While working with Oliver is something to look forward to, Jones has it pretty good at John Tyler as well. He'll be joined on the Lions' defensive line by Pierre Leonard, an end who currently holds one offer from Southern University.

John Tyler graduated 11 seniors from its run to the state semifinals, but there is a certain confidence around the program heading into the upcoming campaign. Aside from a proven defensive line, the team is under the preseason impression it has adequate replacements on the offensive side of the ball to go along with an athletic secondary and set of linebackers.

It's not going to be an easy road in District 16-5A though. Fellow league member Ennis won last season's Class 5A Division II state championship while the majority of the remaining six teams in the league are expected to outperform last year's results in a battle for just four playoff spots.

Jones, like all senior high school football prospects, will become eligible to sign with any program that offers him on Feb. 3, 2016.

2016 East Texas Football Players With Division I FBS Offers

  • Austin Anderson, OL, Mineola, 6-4, 289 – committed to Texas A&M; additional offers from Arizona State, Arkansas State, Auburn, California, Cincinnati, Houston, Illinois, Kansas State, Louisiana Tech, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi State, Missouri, North Carolina, North Texas, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, SMU, Southern Miss, TCU, Texas, Texas State, Texas Tech, Tulsa, Vanderbilt (27)
  • Riley Anderson, OL, Mineola, 6-5, 287 – committed to Texas A&M; additional offers from Arizona State, Arkansas State, Auburn, California, Cincinnati, Houston, Illinois, Kansas State, Louisiana Tech, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi State, Missouri, North Carolina, North Texas, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, SMU, Southern Miss, Texas, TCU, Texas State, Texas Tech, Tulsa, Vanderbilt (27)
  • Demarco Boyd, RB/LB, Gilmer, 6-0, 215 — committed to Texas; additional offers from Baylor, Florida State, Texas A&M (4)
  • Gabe Foster, RB/DB, Newton, 6-3, 180 — offers from Arkansas State, Purdue, Texas State, ULM (4)
  • Ke’Mon Freeman, QB/ATH, Liberty-Eylau, 5-11, 188 – offers from Arkansas State, North Texas, SMU (3)
  • Travon Fuller, CB, Athens, 6-0, 160 — committed to Texas A&M (1)
  • Alex Gregory, WR, Nacogdoches, 5-11, 175 — committed to Stephen F. Austin; additional offers from Texas State, ULM (2)
  • Zach Hall, ATH, Tyler Lee, 5-11, 170 – offers from Baylor, Texas Tech (2)
  • La’Darius Hamilton, LB, Corrigan-Camden, 6-1, 220 — offer from ULL (1)
  • Adrian Harris, OL, John Tyler, 6-2, 290 — offer from ULM (1)
  • Tanner Holmes, LB, Newton, 6-3, 220 — committed to ULL (1)
  • Jerrod Johnson, OL, Lufkin, 6-2, 290 — offer from ULM (1)
  • Keenen Johnson, ATH, Alto, 6-1, 190 – offers from SMU, ULL (2)
  • Brandon Jones, S, Nacogdoches, 6-0, 190 — offers from Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Boise State, California, Florida State, Georgia, Houston, Kentucky, Louisiana Tech, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, SMU, Stanford, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Tulsa, UCLA, USC, Washington State (40)
  • Braylon Jones, DT, John Tyler, 6-3, 285 – committed to Houston; additional offers from Air Force, Army, Colorado State, Navy (5)
  • Corey Lane, S, 5-11, 185  offer from Louisiana Tech (1)
  • Bronson Massie, DE/LB, Lufkin 6-3, 202 – offers from California, Colorado State, Louisiana Tech, Texas State, Washington (5)
  • Jarrod McLin, DE, Carthage, 6-4, 212 – offers from ULL, UTSA (2)
  • Denzel Mims, WR, Daingerfield, 6-4, 180 – committed to Baylor; additional offers from Arkansas State, North Texas, Texas State, Texas Tech, Tulsa (6)
  • Cody Mitchell, TE, Jasper, 6-5, 225 — offers from Illinois, Louisiana Tech, Missouri, Texas State, ULL (5)
  • Jordan Morales, DL, Tyler Bishop Gorman, 6-3, 275 -- offer from UTEP (1)
  • Kendrick Rogers, WR, Frankston, 6-6, 207 — committed to Texas A&M; additional offers from Arkansas State, Cincinnati, Houston, Louisiana Tech, Memphis, Mississippi State, North Texas, SMU, ULL, ULM (11)
  • Micahh Smith, DB, Marshall, 5-11, 185 — offer from Texas State (1)
  • Aphonso Thomas, RB, Van, 5-10, 180 — committed to Nebraska; additional offers from Colorado State, Kansas, Nevada, Texas State (5)
  • Jeremy West, OL/DL, Chapel Hill, 6-2, 297 — Committed to Northwestern State; additional offer from ULL (1)
  • Andre Wiley Jr., OLB/S, Liberty-Eylau, 5-10, 170 – offers from Arkansas State, Army, Louisiana Tech, Navy, Texas State, Wyoming (6)

More From East Texas Sports Network