UA recruit sets out on road less traveled

DARREN IVY
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

CLARENDON -- Cedric Houston, a lifelong Arkansan, had been to only two other states -- Missouri and Mississippi -- before a recruiting trip to Michigan State a few weeks ago.
Houston's trips to Mississippi were for family reunions, his one time in Missouri was a day at Six Flags Amusement Park.
Now, the senior running back is about ready to tour the country looking at some of the best football programs.
"For him to go somewhere else, it kind of boosts his spirits," said his mother, Lanette Houston, who has raised Cedric by herself since he was 7. "He gets excited."
Not everyone in Arkansas shares Cedric Houston's enthusiasm. All these expense-paid recruiting trips were offered after Houston had orally committed to Arkansas on Oct. 14, 1999, more than one year ago.
Houston's change of heart has been a hot topic in newspaper reports, statewide radio talk shows and Internet message boards, but he has his reasons.
"I thought I wasn't going to get any other offers," Houston said, talking about his early commitment. "It was my first offer and I was very, very happy. Looking back, I wish I would have waited a little longer."
Arkansas isn't off his list, but Houston, a 6-0, 205-pound running back with 4.5 speed, will visit the University of Miami, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Tennessee before the Feb. 2, 2001 signing day.
"I'm about wide-open on my choices," said Houston, who has carried 85 times for 954 yards and 22 touchdowns in eight games this season.
Houston he did not consult his mother when he orally committed to Arkansas after a sophomore season in which he rushed for 2,445 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Houston placed the call from former Clarendon Coach Donald Rosen's office. Before he could get home to tell his family, word already had spread.
"My sister called and said, 'Girl, you know what? Cedric committed to Arkansas,' " Lanette said. "I was like 'for real.' I have no problem with him going to Arkansas. He was young when he committed. I told him other offers would probably come. I think the thought of getting a scholarship overwhelmed him."
Houston could become the first person in his immediate family to go to college, provided he achieves higher than the minimum ACT score of 17 (he's made a 16 and took the test again Saturday).
"I just want to get a degree," Houston said.
Whether it be at Arkansas, Miami, Michigan State, Texas A&M, Mississippi, Tennessee or some other school.
Seeing East Lansing, Mich., was eye-opening for Houston, who was born and has lived his entire life in Clarendon, a town of 2,700 people about 70 miles east of Little Rock on the White River.
Clarendon Coach Bobby Hart calls Clarendon "a typical, old southern delta town," with the majority of people falling in the lower to middle-class bracket."
It's a 5-block walk from Clarendon High School to the Houston residence in the north part of town. All the duplexes on the block look the same.
Cedric shares a room with his 8-year old twin brothers, Kevin and Tevin, while his 16-year old sister, Alisha, and mother have their own rooms in the three-bedroom residence that includes a kitchen and living room.
"I would like to have my own room because they are always tearing things up," Houston said.
But Houston doesn't complain too much.
"He helps out a lot with his brothers," Lanette said. "When I tell him to do something, he jumps right up to do it."
Cedric appreciated his mother's work as a certified nurse's aide to provide for the family.
"We are very, very close," he said. "We are a strong, loving family."
Lanette got her son involved with sports at an early age and he has excelled in all of them -- football, baseball, basketball and track.
It's football that has gained him the most exposure. He was featured in Sports Illustrated's Faces in the Crowd after a seven-touchdown game as a sophomore, when he rushed for the ninth best season total in state history.
Houston is within six touchdowns of the record 89 held by former Elaine running back Vernon Hicks. Hart said Houston might have the record already, but he has only played a full game twice this season for the 7-1 Lions. In four of Clarendon's victories, Houston carried the ball two times or fewer in the second half.
"There is no doubt that if we gave him the ball 18 times a game, he would gain 200 to 300 yards a game. I hope people don't think he's having a bad year," Hart said.
The limited carries haven't kept college coaches away, especially after word leaked earlier this fall that Houston was going to visit Michigan State.
Hart said his job would have been made easier by Houston standing firm on his oral commitment to Arkansas, but he said he wants what is best for Cedric.
"I perceive it that people see it as Coach Hart is keeping him from going to Arkansas," Hart said. "I could care less where he goes. If he wants to go to Arkansas, that's fine. I would love to see him in an Arkansas uniform. But I just want what is best for him.
"How many times does a kid from Clarendon go to Michigan State to see a Notre Dame game? Or how many times can he see a Tennessee game in Neyland Stadium. I don't think he is using anybody. I think he is genuine in his interest. He realizes it is an important decision and wants to make the best decision."
Houston doesn't let the negative hype get him down.
"I don't care what people are saying as long as I have my family behind me," Houston said.
That isn't a problem. His mother has been at all of his games. She'd like to continue to follow her son in college, but she knows that might not be possible if he goes far away.
"He's my baby, but it's his decision," she said. "I've told him to go wherever you think you can make it and be happy."

This article was published on Sunday, October 29, 2000

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