The frenzied morning of National Signing Day is now behind us. A few thousand high school football players signed National Letters of Intent, faxed them in, and joined programs across the nation today.
What’s this have to do with the Texans? Not much in the short term.
But looking back a few years (a few more in some cases) is kind of fun, because everybody on the roster played college ball somewhere, and went through the drill so many prep stars went through about 8 hours or so ago.
For example: wide receiver DeVier Posey was once a 5-star (according to the Rivals.com ranking system) recruit out of Cincinnati’s LaSalle H.S. when he signed on to be a Buckeye at Ohio State. On the other end of the spectrum, 2012 AP Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt was quick to point out this afternoon on twitter that the rankings don’t always matter.
This slideshow covers a wide swath of the team, including some reserves. But going across the starting depth-chart, and keeping in mind that the Rivals’ ranking database only goes back to 2002, here’s how the Texans’ starters stacked up on the first Wednesday in February.
OFFENSE
RB Arian Foster: 3-star recruit from Mission Bay H.S. in San Diego, CA. Signed with Tennessee.
LT Duane Brown: 3-star recruit from Hermitage H.S. in Richmond, VA. Signed with Virginia Tech.
RG Brandon Brooks: 3-star recruit from Riverside University H.S. in Milwaukee, WI. Signed with Miami (OH).
RG Ben Jones: 3-star recruit from Bibb County HS in Centreville, AL. Signed with Georgia.
RT Derek Newton: 2-star recruit from Hinds Community College in Utica, MS. Signed with Arkansas State.
DEFENSE
DE Antonio Smith: 3-star recruit from Northeast Oklahoma A&M J.C. Signed with Oklahoma State.
DE J.J. Watt: 2-star recruit from Pewaukee H.S. in Pewaukee, WI. Signed with Central Michigan (later transferred to Wisconsin).
OLB Connor Barwin: 2-star recruit from University of Detroit Jesuit H.S. Signed with Cincinnati.
OLB Brooks Reed: 3-star recruit from Sabino H.S. in Tuscon, AZ. Signed with Arizona.
ILB Brian Cushing: 4-star recruit from Bergen Catholic H.S. in Oradell, NJ. Signed with Southern California.
CB Kareem Jackson: 4-star recruit from Fork Union Military Academy, VA. Signed with Alabama.
CB Johnathan Joseph: 3-star recruit from Coffyville Community College, KS. Signed with South Carolina.
S Glover Quin: 2-star recruit from Southwest Mississippi Community College. Signed with New Mexico.
