Houston to return for Lasch Bash

Oakton, Va., Class of 2019 running back Jordan Houston will be making his way back to Penn State in a few weeks from now for the Lasch Bash barbecue, July 15.

Houston earned an offer from the Nittany Lions almost a year earlier to the day of his upcoming visit, as he grabbed the staff’s attention at their underclassmen showcase last July. Due to a serious injury during his sophomore season, the Nittany Lions remained the only school to offer Houston until earlier this month, when Boston College, Old Dominion and Tennessee all pulled the trigger.

“I talked to Coach Huff about a week or two ago. He was congratulating me on the new offers and stuff like that, although he was also saying that I better remember who offered first,” Houston said.

“But we also talked about the Lasch Bash that day, too, so I’ll be back up there on (July 15th). We’ve been talking every couple weeks. It’s been going well. Coach Huff is real cool and he’s a fun guy. He’s also real straight up. He’s not saying that I’m going to start my freshman year and telling me all these random things. He’s always been real with me.”

The 5-foot-11, 175 pound running back from Flint Hill will only add offers over the coming year, but even so, the Nittany Lions are expected to be a serious contender. Not only has he enjoyed himself during multiple visits over the past year - Lasch Bash will be his fifth trip to Penn State - but Houston is also the son of a Penn State alum.

“I just love being up there and being around the coaches,” said Houston. “Their facilities are great and the people around the program are all good people. It would also be fun to meet some of their commits, too, so that’s what I’m looking forward to the most.”

Houston’s most recent visit to Penn State took place in the spring, as he attended the first spring practice in the final week of March.

“Practice was real fun. It was real energetic,” he said. “They keep it loose, so I enjoyed that a lot. They’re always playing music and having fun. Don’t get me wrong, they work hard, but I thought it was a good balance. That was a real good visit. I learned a lot about how they work with their guys.”

In addition to the four schools that have offered, Houston has been speaking with a handful of other programs. After his visit to Penn State, he’s planning to attend two more camps before the start of the season. He’ll also check out another Big Ten program.

“The schools I’m talking with the most right now, that haven’t offered, are Ohio State and Kentucky. I’ve also been talking to Northwestern, so they’re up there, too.

“I’m actually going to Northwestern around the same time that I’m going to Penn State. I’m planning to camp at Virginia Tech and UNC, too, in July.”