East Carolina quarterback announced his intention to enter the transfer portal in December, and his destination for the 2026 season became official.
He is returning to the Big Ten, committing to Illinois.
He began his collegiate career at Michigan State, redshirting in 2022 before taking over as the Spartans’ primary starter in October 2023. The California native made seven starts that season, throwing for 1,130 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions. Following a head coaching change at Michigan State, Houser transferred to East Carolina for a fresh start.
The transition paid off, as Houser helped spark a resurgence for the Pirates in 2024. After reclaiming the starting job in October, he went 5–2 as a starter, totaling 2,006 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while also adding four rushing scores. He capped the season by leading ECU to a dramatic win over rival NC State in the 2024 Military Bowl before opting to return for the 2025 campaign.
During a highly productive 2025 season, East Carolina remained in the American Athletic Conference race into November. Houser finished the year ranked 19th nationally with 3,300 passing yards, posting 19 touchdowns to six interceptions while completing 65.9 percent of his throws. He also enjoyed his most effective rushing season, adding 193 yards and nine touchdowns as a consistent goal-line threat. Although Houser did not play in the Military Bowl, ECU still knocked off Pitt 23–17 as a two-touchdown underdog to finish 9–4, its most regular-season wins since 2014.
At Illinois, Houser steps into a program replacing three-year starter Luke Altmyer, who wrapped up his Illini career by earning Music City Bowl MVP honors. Illinois recorded back-to-back nine-win seasons for the first time in program history, and Houser will look to help sustain that momentum.
Meanwhile, East Carolina has several paths forward at quarterback. True freshman Chaston Ditta, who started and led the Pirates to a Military Bowl victory, is a strong internal option for 2026, while the program could also turn to the transfer portal this January as it builds on a successful 9–4 season.