In a pretty wild move for high school sports, Shreveport’s Evangel Christian Academy quarterback Peyton Houston just inked a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with Nike. Yeah, Nike—this isn’t your average local sponsorship.
This partnership really shows Nike’s push to back young football talent, all the way from high school up to college. Let’s get into Houston’s career, his LSU commitment, and what this deal might mean for the future.
Peyton Houston’s Stellar High School Career
Peyton Houston is a four-star QB who’s been lighting it up at Evangel Christian Academy. He’s 5-foot-10, weighs in at 202 pounds, and is known for being a real dual-threat on the field.
His sophomore season in 2024? Honestly, it was impressive. Houston completed 310 of 443 passes, racking up 4,480 yards, 38 touchdowns, and only six interceptions.
He also kept defenses guessing by running for 690 yards and seven touchdowns on 105 carries. That versatility is, well, hard to ignore.
Dominant Junior Season
In 2025, Houston’s junior year, he just kept raising the bar. Over 25 varsity games, he stacked up 8,330 passing yards and 80 touchdowns.
He wasn’t just slinging it, either—he added 1,632 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground. No wonder he’s ranked among the Top-10 quarterbacks in the country.
The NIL Deal with Nike
Nike signing Peyton Houston? That’s a pretty clear signal they’re serious about investing in the future of football. Ann Miller, Nike’s EVP of Global Sports Marketing, said the brand wants to focus on athletes shaping the next era of the game.
Houston’s deal even comes with a custom shoe, which is a nice touch. Nike seems to be leaning into the whole personalized support thing.
Nike’s Broader Strategy
Houston’s not alone—he’s actually one of 11 high school prospects who’ve signed with Nike. Here’s the full list:
- Jermaine Cobbins, cornerback, Springfield, Tenn., High School
- Madoxx Davis, wide receiver, Cartersville, Ga., High School
- Jaxon Dollar, tight end, Denver, N.C. (East Lincoln High School)
- Quentin Hale, wide receiver, Corona, Calif. (Centennial High School)
- Elijah Haven, quarterback, Baton Rouge, La. (The Dunham School)
- Peyton Houston, quarterback, Shreveport, La. (Evangel Christian Academy)
- Myson Johnson-Cook, running back, East St. Louis, Ill., High School
- Juju Johnson, cornerback, Long Beach, Calif. (Polytechnic High School)
- Neimann Lawrence, quarterback, Plantation/Miami, Fla. (American Heritage High School)
- Gabriel Osborne Jr., cornerback, Mustang, Okla., High School
- Jamarin Simmons, wide receiver, Tallahassee, Fla. (Amos P. Godby High School)
LSU’s 2026 Roster and Nike’s Investment
LSU’s 2026 roster is getting a boost too, with several players landing NIL deals from Nike. It’s pretty clear Nike’s betting big on the Tigers and their next batch of stars.
Here’s a look at some of the LSU Class of 2026:
- RB Caden Durham
- CB DJ Pickett
- RB Harlem Berry
- QB Husan Longstreet
- WR Jayce Brown
- OL Jordan Seaton
- DL Lamar Brown
- DL Princewill Umanmielen
- TE Trey’Dez Green
- S Ty Benefield
- LB Whit Weeks
Ahmad Hudson: Dual-Sport Phenom
Another name that jumps off LSU’s 2026 recruiting list is Ahmad Hudson from Ruston, Louisiana. He’s a five-star tight end and, get this, also a standout basketball player.
Hudson is the No. 1 tight end in the 2027 class and the No. 2 rated power forward. Not many can say that.
Basketball Achievements
During his junior basketball season, Hudson averaged 19.7 points, 13.4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game. He shot an impressive 59.1% from the field.
He was named Mr. Basketball in Louisiana and led his team to the state title game. On the Nike EYBL circuit at Peach Jam, he put up 21.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, 3.3 steals, and 2.8 blocks per game.
Commitment and Recruitment
Even though Hudson’s committed to LSU, his recruitment is still, well, kind of up in the air. Nebraska was in his top two before he chose LSU, and they haven’t stopped chasing him.
Hudson recently said again that he’s sticking with LSU, but other programs are still trying to flip him. At Peach Jam, he admitted his recruitment is open, so the drama isn’t over yet.
Future Prospects
LSU’s still feeling good about landing Hudson’s signature in December. The competition, though, is nothing short of intense.
Hudson’s ability to play both football and basketball at the college level? That’s a massive selling point. As the No. 1 tight end and the No. 2 power forward, he’s drawing attention from programs all over the country.
Want more details and updates about Peyton Houston, Ahmad Hudson, and other top recruits? Check out the original article on 247Sports.
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