Houston may be getting ready for a potential run at the American Athletic Conference in 2014, but the sights on 2015 have already started coming into focus. On Monday Houston announced that Class of 2015 quarterback Ben Hicks has signed a financial aid agreement with the Cougars, securing him a spot in Houston’s next recruiting class well ahead of schedule. The plan is for Hicks to enroll at Houston in January, thus giving him a head start on getting involved with the offense in the spring.
Hicks is currently rated three stars by Rivals, but his stock looks to be rising after finishing second in the recent Elite 11 quarterback camp this summer. The financial aid agreement means Houston is locked in to reserving a scholarship for Hicks if he decides to follow through on his commitment to the program, but Hicks is still free to evaluate all of his options in recruiting. Hicks is now guaranteed a scholarship somewhere, but he does not have to attend Houston.
Last week Texas Tech was able to have their top quarterback recruit sign a financial aid agreement. Jarrett Stidham signed on the dotted line last week and could begin competing for a starting job in Lubbock as early as the spring. The timeline for Hicks should be a bit different. At Houston, John O’Korn is heading into a sophomore season after showing some very positive signs in Houston’s offense a year ago. If O’Korn continues to produce for the Cougars this season, he should be able to hold on to the starting job in his junior season and perhaps his senior season as well.