HOUSTON – New HCU Head Football Coach Braxton Harris, who was introduced last week, announced the signing of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the initial members of his first recruiting class as the NCAA Early Signing Period began Wednesday. Houston Christian University (HCU), formerly Houston Baptist University (HBU), underwent a name change in September 2022.
 
All six signees are from Texas, including three Houston-area products. So far, HCU has signed three on defense, two on offense and one on special teams.
 
The Huskies added two local defensive linemen in Galena Park's Tim Marshall and Stafford's Andrew Huff, while also adding to the secondary with Woodville safety Darius Bean. On the offensive side, HCU signed Alice quarterback Cutter Stewart and Sherman wide receiver Vontrelle Sanders. The Huskies also signed Manvel kicker Chase Cross.
 
2023 HCU EARLY FOOTBALL SIGNEES
Darius Bean – S – 6-0 – 180 – Woodville, Texas/Woodville
Bean was a first-team all-district selection. Runs a 4.5 in the 40.
 
Chase Cross – K – 6-1 – 198 – Manvel, Texas/Manvel
Cross scored 52 points as a senior, making 43 extra points and three field goals. Also plays first and third base and outfield on the baseball team.

Andrew Huff – DE – 6-2 – 215 – Stafford, Texas/Stafford
As a senior, Huff made 92 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss, nine sacks, forced eight fumbles and recovered two fumbles to earn District 12-4A Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors. Earned first-team all-district honors as a junior and second-team all-district as a sophomore.
 
Tim Marshall – DL – 6-2 – 255 – Galena Park, Texas/Galena Park
Marshall was a three-time all-district selection. Had 41 tackles, including more than half of them tackles for loss, as a senior. As a sophomore, made 44 tackles and four sacks.
 
Vontrelle Sanders – WR – 6-0 – 166 – Sherman, Texas/Sherman
Recorded 1,050 receiving yards as a senior and was selected to the all-academic second team. As a junior, made 25 catches for 425 yards and five touchdowns. Was also recruited by Pittsburgh, SMU, Army and Navy. Also plays on the basketball team, including a 50-point performance against Burkburnett this year.
 
*Cutter Stewart – QB – 6-0 – 175 – Alice, Texas/Alice
For his career, Stewart completed 830-of-1,420 passes for 11,003 yards and 117 touchdowns, while rushing 296 times for 1,522 yards and 20 touchdowns. In Texas High School history, he ranks fifth all-time in attempts, seventh in completions, 15^th in touchdowns and 17^th in passing yards. Threw 39 touchdowns as a senior and sophomore, 17 as a junior and 22 as a freshman. Was a four-time academic all-district selection and an academic all-state honoree as a senior.
 
*Enrolled at HCU for Spring 2023