Marcus Houston

Marcus Houston (born May 27, 1981) is a former American football player.

Marcus Houston
Personal information
Born: (1981-05-27) May 27, 1981
Denver, Colorado
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:219 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school:Thomas Jefferson
(Denver, Colorado)
College:Colorado (2000-2002)
Colorado State (2003-2004)
Position:Running back
Undrafted:2005

Early life and high school

Houston grew up in Denver, Colorado and attended Thomas Jefferson High School. As a senior, he rushed for 1723 yards and 28 touchdowns.[1] Houston was one of the most sought after recruits in the nation and committed to play at the University of Colorado over offers from Texas, Florida State, Southern California, UCLA, Ohio State and Miami.[2] He was widely considered to be the most highly-touted prospect in Colorado Buffaloes history at the time.[3][4]

College career

Houston was named the Buffaloes' starting running back going into his freshman season. He rushed for 332 yards and one touchdown on 66 carries over three games before suffering an injury that ended his season.[5] As a sophomore, Houston was part of a running back rotation with Brian Calhoun and Chris Brown and saw curtailed playing time.[6] He frequently clashed with his running backs coach Eric Bieniemy, who often criticized Houston for what he believed to be a lack of toughness and unwillingness to play hurt.[7][8] He suffered a torn groin muscle and rushed for 132 yards and one touchdown in seven games. In his junior year (2002), Houston played in only four of Colorado's games due to a partially torn ligament in his knee and rushed for 49 yards.[9][10]

Houston ultimately transferred to Colorado State and was granted immediate eligibility to play.[11] In his first year with the team he rushed 158 times for 636 yards, which was second on the team behind quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt, and nine touchdowns.[12] Houston gained 206 yards on 57 carries in his final collegiate season.[13]

References
  1. Paw, Liz (February 24, 2000). "An all-purpose running back". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  2. Hodge, Bill (February 7, 2000). "Colorado's Houston a hit on, off field". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  3. "From Marcus Houston to Antonio Alfano, a history of CU Buffs 5-star football players". The Denver Post. November 7, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  4. "College football recruiting: Top 5 Colorado prep running back prospects since 2000". Journal-Advocate. August 25, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  5. Garrity, John (October 9, 2000). "TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE A HUNDRED-YARD-PLUS RUSHING AVERAGE IS THE LEAST IMPRESSIVE CREDENTIAL ON THE RESUME OF COLORADO FRESHMAN MARCUS HOUSTON". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  6. "Brown to play for Buffs". Cedar Rapids Gazette. Associated Press. December 25, 2002. Retrieved February 15, 2022 – via NewspaperArchive.
  7. Orton, Kathy (September 13, 2001). "At Northwestern, No Heisman Hype". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  8. Pells, Eddie (October 23, 2004). "Houston has a problem, though nobody's sure what it is". Casper Star-Tribune. Associated press. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  9. "Colorado releases Houston from scholarship". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 13, 2003. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  10. "Styling in green and gold". Colorado Springs Gazette. Associated Press. January 23, 2003. Retrieved February 15, 2022 – via NewspaperArchive.
  11. "COLLEGE FOOTBALL; Running Back Sees Both Sides of Colorado Rivalry". The New York Times. August 30, 2003. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  12. "CSU RB hits his stride". Deseret News. August 16, 2004. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  13. Michaelis, Vicki (April 21, 2005). "Former blue chip back still banks on his potential". USA Today. Retrieved February 15, 2022.


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