John Tyler quarterback Bryson Smith (2) committed to the University of Houston on Friday.
John Tyler quarterback Bryson Smith (2) committed to the University of Houston on Friday.
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The bad news is the University of Houston only has one more season with dynamic quarterback Greg Ward Jr. The good news is the Cougars program can expect to add another dynamic quarterback that studied under the same high school coaching staff as Ward.

John Tyler signal caller Bryson Smith announced Friday that he committed to Houston. He chose the school in favor of 15 other FBS scholarship offers and a handful of FCS opportunities. 

Smith (6-0, 170) is the third junior from John Tyler to make a commitment. Receiver Damion Miller has been a longtime Texas lock and cornerback Javontavius Mosley pledged to UTSA earlier this week.

At Houston, Ward passed for 2,2828 yards with 17 touchdowns to six interceptions and also ran for 1,108 yards and another 21 scores while guiding the team to an American Athletic Conference championship, a 13-1 overall record and an eighth-place finish in the Associated Press poll.

Smith enjoyed a similar year to Ward at John Tyler in his first season under center. He threw for 2,415 yards and 20 touchdowns to six interceptions and led the team in rushing with 1,428 yards and 28 scores. Those numbers helped the team rally to a 7-0 regular season finish after an 0-3 start.

Smith started his varsity career as a receiver his sophomore year. He might have the ability to play receiver at collegiate level as well.

John Tyler won the District 16-5A championship and reached the second round of the Class 5A Division I state playoffs before falling to Mansfield Lake Ridge, which advanced to the state championship game four weeks later.

Smith won't be the only John Tyler player on the roster once he arrives in Houston. Senior defensive tackle Braylon Jones will join the program shortly after graduating next week as his class' valedictorian.

John Tyler will compete in Class 6A this fall due to a growing student population. Longview, Tyler Lee, Mesquite, Mesquite Horn, North Mesquite, Rockwall and Rockwall-Heath make up its District 11-6A schedule.

Smith's commitment to Houston is non-binding. He won't become eligible to sign with the program until National Signing Day 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, New Mexico, North Texas, SMU, ULL, ULM, UTSA, Wyoming (13)
  • 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 Arizona State, Arkansas, Arkansas State, Colorado State, Houston, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi State, Missouri, North Texas, Ole Miss, SMU, Syracuse, UTSA, TCU, Texas A&M, Tulsa (18)
  • Montrell Estell, Hooks, WR/DB, 6-2, 180 — committed to Texas; additional offers from Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, Kansas, Notre Dame, SMU, 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 — offers from Louisiana Tech, ULM (2)
  • 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 — committed to UTSA; additional offers from Arkansas State, Houston, Memphis, North Texas, SMU, Southern Miss, Texas State, ULL, ULM (10)
  • Cade Pearson, Texas High, QB, 6-3, 193  offer from Wyoming (1)
  • 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, 6-1, 177 — offers from Memphis, Navy (2)
  • Bryson Smith, John Tyler, QB/ATH, 6-0, 170 — committed to Houston; additional offers from Air Force, Arkansas State, Bowling Green, Memphis, New Mexico, North Texas, Purdue, SMU, Southern Miss, Texas State, Tulane, Tulsa, ULL, ULM, UTSA (16)
  • D’Torian Smith, Tatum, LB, 6-3, 225 — offer from Air Force (1)
  • 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, 182 — offered by Arkansas State, Colorado State, Houston, Kansas, Kansas State, Louisiana Tech, Minnesota, Missouri, North Texas, Ohio, Oklahoma State, SMU, TCU, Texas State, Texas Tech, Tulane, ULM, Utah, UTSA, Washington State, Wyoming (21)
  • Traveion Webster, Longview, S, 6-0, 197 — offered by ULM (1)

 

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