Houston Named 2026 Recipient of Coach Tom Bryant Legend Award

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — Tusculum hall of famer Justin Houston has been named the 2026 recipient of the Coach Tom Bryant Memorial Pioneer Legend Award.

The award was presented to Houston at the annual TU Football Golf Tournament at Graysburg Hills Golf Club.

The award is named in honor of the late Tom Bryant, former Tusculum football coach and TU Sports Hall of Famer, who led the reinstatement of the sport in 1991 after a 41-year hiatus. He coached the Pioneers from 1991-1994.

From 2012-2015, Houston accounted for arguably the greatest playing career by a Tusculum wide receiver. His 322 career receptions are still a South Atlantic Conference and TU record while his 3,182 career receiving yards are the most by a Pioneer and listed sixth in the SAC record book.

Houston was a two-time All-America, while earning All-Region and All-Conference honors three times.

He holds TU career records in all-purpose yards (4668) and career kickoff returns (68), while he is second in career touchdown receptions (24), third in career touchdowns (27), third in career kickoff return yards (1470), fifth in career points scored (164), ninth in career all-purpose attempts (395) and 10th in career kickoff return average (21.62). He also holds the program record with his 13 games of 100 receiving yards. In 2024, Houston was inducted to the Tusculum Sports Hall of Fame.

Pioneer head football coach Billy Taylor, who is entering his third season in Greeneville, coached with Bryant on the football staff at Wofford College. Bryant, who served as Wofford’s defensive coordinator, was a valued mentor and dear friend of Coach Taylor.

Past recipients of the award include former Tusculum football coach and athletic director Frankie DeBusk in 2024 and two-time All-American quarterback Bo Cordell, last year’s honoree.

The Tom Bryant Award is presented annually to an individual who has been a “legend” in the growth and success of the Tusculum University football program.