SALT LAKE CITY — Highland running back Sione Houma verbally committed to the University of Michigan this afternoon.
The 6-foot, 210-pound fullback was a late bloomer during his junior season last year, but was instrumental in leading the Rams to the 4A state championship. He finished the year with 1,064 yards rushing and seven TDs, and amazingly 661 of those yards and five TDs came in the final three rounds of the state playoffs.
Houma took a recruiting visit to Michigan last month and felt it was a perfect fit for him. The soft-spoken Houma said education was a big part of his decision-making process, as he wants to major in sociology.
Utah and Washington were the two other schools Houma was deciding between. He said it was important to get the decision out of the way before his senior season starts on Aug. 19.
"I just felt like I didn't want to have the stress of deciding," said Houma.
Now that his college decision has been made, Houma said he's excited to turn his attention to trying to help Highland repeat as 4A champs.
"Work hard and do what we do best, play football," he said.
Highland coach Brody Benson says Houma's work ethic was a big reason behind him getting the opportunity to play in the Big 10.
"It's big, it's big for him and his family, but he deserves it. He's worked his tail off both in classroom, in the weight room and on the field," said Benson.
Michigan is in need of fullbacks as the team transitions from Rich Rodriguez to first-year coach Brady Hoke.
"He's a big, strong kid and has the ability to run north and south. With that size, he has some really good speed, too," said Benson.
Houma struggled with fumbling early during his junior season, but he worked on it and didn't fumble the ball once in his last five games. That work ethic is a big part of why Benson believes he'll be successful."
"I think he's got a great chance to go back there and be successful, and not only as a player but a person," said Benson.
email: jedward@desnews.com