Houston Cougars Recruiting - QB John O'Korn

Crown Jewel of the 2013 Class

Without a doubt, St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) quarterback John O'Korn is the most popular recruit for the Houston Cougars.  UH message board posters herald him as the next quarterback in the line of Andre Ware, David Klingler, Chuck Clements, Kevin Kolb and Case Keenum.

In the post-Keenum era, the Coogs fell hard last season with redshirt sophomore David Piland.  Piland struggled to get any consistency all year and ended the season on the bench behind former walk on Crawford Jones.  The official word is that Piland was injured but speculation was he was benched.  Further internet rumors state that Piland will not be the start next season.  That all remains to be seen.

Adding fuel to the fire Piland rumors, the Cougars went out and recruited Billy Cosh from the JUCO ranks.  He played for Butler Community College in Kansas.  Also sitting on the Cougar roster are QBs Bram Kohlhausen and Rex Dausin. 

Heading in the Big East in 2013 things were looking thin for the Coogs at QB.  Again, only rumors, but word was Piland was quitting football and Kohlhausen was transferring unless given a fair shot to start.  If both left the Cougars were left with only Dausin at QB.  Instead the Cougars will have five scholarship quarterbacks going into the Big East.

His senior season, O'Korn lead his school to the Florida 7A title.  Along the way, St. Thomas Aquinas stunned the top ranked Manatee from Bradenton, Fl. 35-18.

In the title game, O'Korn accounted for 4 TDs with 2 rushing and 2 passing.  He finished the game 11 of 29 for 339 yards and an interception.  He carried the ball 10 times for 95 yards.

2012 was O'Korn's first as full time starter.  His season stat line read:

Games Rushing Passing Year Att Yds Avg TD PA PC Pct Yds TD Int 2012 (Sr.) 15 95 576 6.1 15 280 157 56.1 2,552 22 4

If indications from Holman are true then it will be a wide open competition for the starting quarterback spot this fall.  Head coach Tony Levine will not name a starter a week into spring like he did last year.  Based on popularity from UH fans, O'Korn be the starting quarterback in the Big East inaugural season.