Houston and coach Willie Fritz had been making Louisiana recruiting headlines this cycle with their run of wide receiver commitments, but returned Wednesday to another familiar trend.
Central safety Marvin Joseph Jr. became the latest highly ranked prospect from The Boot to announce a pledge to the Cougars, marking the Wildcats’ second star of their rising senior class to do so and third in three recruiting cycles.
Former defensive lineman Dakavius “DK” Mays signed with Houston in 2025, one of the early wins for Fritz in his first full cycle recruiting for the program after being hired away from Tulane in December 2023.
Wide receiver Marcus Watson Jr. committed to the Cougars on April 3 to begin their Louisiana haul for this year’s class.
[ READ MORE: ‘UNBREAKABLE’ CENTRAL WR MARCUS WATSON JR. MATURED THROUGH SPORTS, LOSS ]
Joseph climbed to No. 19 overall in Louisiana vs. All Y’all’s latest 2027 rankings update and fifth among defensive backs.
The 6-foot, 170-pound playmaker, who has made highlight-reel and high-impact plays in all three phases during his high school career, becomes one of Houston’s and Fritz’s highest-ranked Louisiana commitments during their four cycles together.
LVAY 2027 TOP 25
1. Easton Royal, Brother Martin WR —> Texas
2. Albert Simien, Sam Houston OL —> Notre Dame
3. Peyton Houston, Evangel Christian QB —> LSU
4. Elijah Haven, Dunham QB —> Alabama
5. Ahmad Hudson, Ruston TE —> LSU
6. Miguel Whitley, St. Augustine WR —> Ole Miss
7. Braylon Calais, Cecilia ATH/WR —> LSU
8. Javon Vital Jr., Lake Charles College Prep ATH/RB —> USC
9. Trey Martin, Franklin Parish RB —> LSU
10. Kaston Lewis, Iowa S/ATH —> Texas Tech
11. Jayden Miles, Catholic-BR RB —> Florida State
12. Jayden Anding, Ruston S —>
13. Juelz Batiste, Edna Karr EDGE —> Ole Miss
14. Malachi Zeigler, Benton QB —> SMU
15. Karon Eugene, Westgate S —>
16. Jaden Bayonne, Alexandria DL —> Mississippi State
17. Rontrae Carter, Archbishop Shaw S —> TCU
18. Gary Burney Jr., Parkway WR —> LSU
19. Marvin Joseph Jr., Central S/ATH —> Houston
20. Ray’Quan Williams, St. Augustine WR —> Tulane
21. Zyion Wesley, Edna Karr OL —> Mississippi State
22. Ethan Kimmie, Zachary WR —>
23. Markez Davis, Northwest DB/WR —> LSU
24. Jude Chamberlain, Catholic-BR TE —> Stanford
25. Devin Lavalais, Marksville ATH/S —> Tulane
