Cougars turn in five LOI’s with more to follow

CROSBY — The Cougar football team celebrated its latest offering to the college ranks Tuesday morning. Four athletes signed letters of intent joining four-star running back Craig Williams in moving to the next level. Wide receiver Cedric Patterson joined Williams at Division 1, signing with New Mexico University. 

Crosby head coach Jeff Riordan said he expects four to five more athletes to sign letters at a later date as they finish sifting through their offers. The latest group of Crosby athletes took part in four district championships and totaled 42 wins. 

“I think the biggest asset is they live by the Code Red principals their parents have instilled in them,” Riordan said. “They are as good off the field as they are on the field. They have a lot of talent. They had way more wins than losses.”

Patterson said he was very blessed by God to play at a high level after being a reserve last season. Patterson burst onto the scene this year and had 61 receptions for 1,229 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also considered Army before signing with New Mexico. 

“Army was great but I loved everything about New Mexico,” Patterson said. “It felt like home. It felt more like family.

“They have new offensive coordinator and they are going to the spread. I can emerge as someone they can depend on.

Offensive lineman Danny Guajardo signed with Southern Nazarene University, an NCAA Division II school in Oklahoma. Guajardo also considered Northwestern Oklahoma State and Kilgore Junior College.

“It is by Oklahoma City and they have a good program and good academics,” Guajardo said. “I like what they are building and have chance to be pretty good.”

Guajardo said he liked that SNU has a good business program. He also felt it would be an easy transition in the SNU offense.

Williams signed with Baylor over the Christmas break and was part of a Top 30 class nationally. 

Rashad Singleton hopes to join him at the Division 1 level after a stint at Tyler Junior College. Singleton is an athletic outside linebacker looking to fill out at the JUCO level.

“I’m trying to get some extra years and go D-1,” he said. “I like Tyler. It gives you the university n feel and I feel comfortable around those guys.”

Singleton said Tyler uses its outside linebackers to rush off the edge, which he feels fits his game. He said his size and length are a strength and he is a very athletic linebacker. 

Another Crosby linebacker, Alan Houser, will attend Trinity University in San Antonio. Houser chose Trinity over SNU and Henderson State.

“I love San Antonio and I looked at not only football but academics,” Houser said. 

Houser carries a 3.747 grade point average and intends on majoring in business management and minoring in sports management. 

“ I want to be a college football coach,” he said. “I have always wanted to be a coach. Being in a great program like Crosby made me want to coach even more.”