De'Marion Thomas had 10 minutes to get married.
It was March 16, a Monday, inside Harris County's historic 1910 courthouse, with its rotunda, picturesque Corinthian columns and marble interior walls. De'Marion held hands with Ella, his high school sweetheart, as the couple exchanged vows during a break in the University of Houston's spring football schedule.
She wore a short white dress with a veil.
He wore a black suit.
"They told us we had 10 minutes, max," Ella said. "We kind of had to rush it a little bit."
They have known each other since seventh grade and dated since their days at Union High School in Tulsa, Okla. When the time came to get married, they didn't want an elaborate ceremony. They wanted something intimate, attended by a small group of immediate family.
They hosted a small dinner at Gloria's Latin Cuisine.
They shared a small white cake with "Just married" on top.
"It was a cute little day," Ella said.
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Months earlier, the couple had another big decision to make.
The transfer portal opened in January, giving De'Marion a small window to decide where he would play this college football season.
Ella, who will complete her degree in marketing from Oklahoma State in December, has been by his side at every stop - two years in Nashville, Tenn., where he began his college career at Vanderbilt, then back home for one season at Oklahoma State.
This offseason, the couple sat down to figure out the next place they would call home.
They considered three schools: Missouri, Auburn and Houston.
"It's not just me anymore," said De'Marion, a 6-foot-2, 340-pound nose tackle. "It's where she fits in best as well. Ultimately, she told me, ‘Whatever you think your decision is in this process, I'll support you 100%.'
"Happy wife, happy life."
"He's right," Ella said with a laugh.
De'Marion and Ella Thomas were high school sweethearts who've been by each other's side during his college career at Vanderbilt, Oklahoma State and now Houston. (Courtesy Ella Thomas)Ella joined De'Marion on his official visit to the UH campus, and the couple immediately felt a connection.
Ella liked the thought of living in a big city. De'Marion was drawn to UH's coaching staff, facilities, returning roster and status as a Big 12 contender.
"Yeah, I think you should go for it," Ella told De'Marion. "We both loved it. It felt like home."
De'Marion filled an offseason priority for the Cougars, who had to replace leading tackler Carlos Allen on the interior defensive line. Along with his size, De'Marion brings experience with 27 career games played, including 13 starts for Vanderbilt in 2024, to pair alongside defensive end Khalil Laufau.
De'Marion said his job description is clear: "Defending the run is the first priority" and "eat (double-teams)."
"I'm a hard-hat type of guy," De'Marion said. "You tell me to do something, I'm going to get it done."
De'Marion has already made an impression inside UH's locker room. He is often inside the Memorial Hermann Football Operations Center by 4:30 a.m.
"He cares a lot," defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong said. "He's very mature. He does what we ask him to do."
Ella sees the same qualities.
"He's the hardest-working person I've ever met," she said. "He's really driven. He's so respectful. He's an amazing man. I'm excited for his journey at Houston."
Ella has traveled to away games and attended every home game during De'Marion's college career. She's even picked up a few things about his position.
"He's the nose."
"He's always double-teamed."
Their honeymoon didn't involve a football stadium.
After the Cougars wrapped up spring practice in April, the newlyweds headed to Miami, then nine days on a cruise to the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos and Bahamas.
"It was the perfect time," Ella said. "It was right at the end, a celebration you're done with spring ball, and it's our honeymoon."
SubscribeThere’s more to Houston with the Chronicle. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at De'Marion Thomas' arrival at UH comes after two major life decisions in memorable offseason.
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