After defeating the Florida Gators in Week 3, the LSU Tigers secured a major piece of its future on Monday with a pledge from 2027 quarterback Peyton Houston, ESPN’s top-ranked pocket passer in the future rankings.
Houston, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound standout from Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana, announced his commitment on Monday morning. The ESPN No. 77 overall prospect chose the Tigers over Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas, USC, Texas A&M and others. He has racked up 32 offers in total.
“It’s big staying home,” Houston told ESPN. “It’s a great feeling for the family, putting on for the city and the state.”
The commitment delivers a much-needed boost to LSU’s quarterback pipeline under Brian Kelly, which has struggled to retain high school signal-callers since he took over in 2021. Walker Howard and Rickie Collins, signed in 2022 and 2023, respectively, transferred after limited appearances. Four-star 2024 signee Colin Hurley has yet to see the field, and LSU lost the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood in the 2025 class to Michigan last November.
Houston becomes the Tigers’ first 2027 commit and fills a need beyond current starter Garrett Nussmeier, who will likely be headed to the NFL. The roster beyond 2025 includes only Hurley and Mississippi State transfer Michael Van Buren Jr.
As a polished passer with advanced mechanics, Houston completed 69.6% of his throws last season for 4,480 yards, 38 touchdowns and six interceptions. He added 690 rushing yards and seven scores. He set a National Federation of High Schools single-game record with 817 passing yards in an overtime loss to Captain Shreve last October.
Recruiting insiders viewed Oklahoma as LSU’s primary competition in recent weeks, especially after Houston visited Norman for the Sooners’ Sept. 6 win over Michigan. But his ties to home and a strong relationship with Tigers offensive coordinator Joe Sloan ultimately swung momentum.
“One thing that really set coach Sloan apart was the communication,” Houston said. “If not every day, every other day he calls me and checks in. It was more than football with him, too.”
Houston is the godbrother of former LSU All-American linebacker Devin White, a Super Bowl LV champion with Tampa Bay. He has attended multiple games in Tiger Stadium, including Saturday’s 20-10 win against Florida.
LSU hosts Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday before visiting No. 13 Ole Miss on Sept. 27.
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