The last two seasons of Houston Cougars football were about the “new.” New conference in 2023. New head coach in 2024.
The Cougars may lack that exciting “new” to cling to in 2025; instead, they look to create newfound success after marinating in 4-8 for consecutive seasons. Head coach Willie Fritz returns for year two, and this isn’t unfamiliar territory for him. At his prior stop of Tulane, Fritz faced the trials and tribulations of a 4-8 debut year before catapulting the Green Wave into a consistent
bowl team by year three and a power by year seven. Given the accessibility of talent in the transfer portal and Houston’s position in a talent hotbed, Fritz hopes his modern team-building advantages accelerate the climb up the mountaintop.
Year one wasn’t without its moments. Houston operated with a stifling defense all season long which kept it in striking distance against quality opponents. The Cougars pounced on opportunities against 9-4 TCU and 9-4 Kansas State, but the lack of offensive production prevented them from attaining bowl eligibility.
Everyone in the Big 12 points to the story of 2024 Arizona State — a team fresh off a 3-9 campaign and picked last in the Big 12 that claimed the conference throne and cemented a spot in the College Football Playoff. Houston eyes to be the main character in that story for 2025, rising from the cellar to the summit.
Staff
Willie Fritz turns the chapter to his second year, coming off a 4-8 campaign. While Fritz’s returning presence may suggest continuity in the staff, that’s not exactly the case at Houston.
The Cougars faced a difficult departure in December as defensive coordinator Shiel Wood accepted a position elsewhere in the conference at Texas Tech. Wood transformed Houston’s defense from 115th in yards allowed per game in 2023 to 25th in the category in his one year with the Cougars. Replacing Wood is Austin Armstrong, who arrives in H-Town after a two-year stint as Florida’s co-defensive coordinator. Armstrong’s multiple scheme doesn’t deviate much from Wood’s, and incumbent members of the team have praised the new coordinator for his emphasis on pre-snap reads — an area the Cougars look to improve in 2025.
Houston’s other coordinator change was by design. The Cougars fired offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay several days before the regular season finale last November after ranking 133rd in scoring offense. Slade Nagle will reunite with Fritz’s as Houston’s new offensive play-caller, holding the offensive coordinator role at Tulane in 2023. Nagle was a member of Tulane’s staff all eight years of the Fritz era, before jumping to LSU as a special teams coordinator and tight ends coach in 2024. Fritz said the offense will take on a similar shape under Nagle to that of his Tulane offenses — which had an affinity to lean on the run game.
The Cougars are also starting anew at special teams coordinator with the hire of Chris Couch earlier in August. The only new positional assistant is cornerbacks coach PJ Hall, a former graduate assistant at UAB and Baylor who played under Fritz at Tulane. The rest of the staff remains rather identical to 2024, comprising of Shawn Bell (quarterbacks), Jordy Joseph (running backs), Derrick Sherman (wide receivers), Eman Naghavi (offensive line), Oscar Giles (defensive line), James Ross III (defensive ends/outside linebackers), and Josh Christian-Young (safeties).
Offense
| Statistic | Total | Big 12 Rank (of 16) | National Rank (of 134) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 14.0 | 16 | 133 |
| Total Offense | 288.1 | 16 | 128 |
| Passing Yards Avg. | 152.7 | 16 | 126 |
| Completion % | 65.0 | 3 | 29 |
| Rush Yards Avg. | 135.4 | 11 | 90 |
| Sacks Allowed Avg. | 2.75 | 15 | t-109 |
| Turnovers | 27 | 16 | 131 |
- Key arrivals: QB Conner Weigman, RB Dean Connors, WR Amare Thomas, WR Harvey Broussard III, TE Tanner Koziol, TE Luke McGary, C Matthew Wykoff, G Jason Brooks Jr., G McKenzie Agnello, OT Dalton Merryman, OT Alvin Ebosele
- Key departures: QB Donovan Smith, WR Joseph Manjack IV, TE Maliq Carr, G Tank Jenkins, G Peyton Dunn, OT Jake Wiley
- Key incumbents: RB Stacy Sneed, RB Re’Shaun Sanford, RB J’Marion Burnette, WR Stephon Johnson, WR Mekhi Mews, WR Koby Young, C Demetrius Hunter, OT David Ndukwe
There is no sugarcoating it — Houston must be better on offense in 2025.
The Cougars ranked second-to-last nationally in points per game at 14.0, finishing 0.1 points above 0-12 Kent State. Houston struggled to generate a dynamic passing game, ranking 126th nationally in aerial production, and averaged just 3.8 yards per rushing attempt. Critical moments were always an issue as the team converted 27.9% of third downs (third-to-last in FBS) and scored on 60.0% of red zone trips (last in FBS).
Houston spent the offseason transforming its offense with a new coordinator hire and a new batch of experienced transfers. Most notably, the Cougars brought in a veteran starting quarterback in Conner Weigman who spent the prior three seasons at Texas A&M. The Cypress, TX native returns home, having longstanding ties to Coach Fritz (who coached Weigman’s dad at Sam Houston) and quarterbacks coach Shawn Bell.
Weigman threw for 2,694 yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions at Texas A&M, firing at a 60.0 completion rate. He logged 13 starts across three seasons but health always remained an issue for the former 5-star recruit. A broken foot limited him to four games in 2023 and an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder barred him from several contests in 2024. Weigman is back in his hometown not only with a clean slate, but with a fresh slate of health. His mobility and leadership are among qualities that impressed teammates throughout fall camp as he looks to rewrite the narrative of Houston’s offense in 2025.
In addition to Weigman, Houston retains its 2024 incumbent starter in Zeon Chriss. Chriss ranked second on the roster with 388 rushing yards and first with four rushing touchdowns last season. While Weigman is expected to start Week 1, Chriss provides veteran depth behind the former Aggie and his mobility could be applied to certain packages.
Beside quarterback, another area Houston upgraded through the portal was offensive line. The Cougars’ inability to withstand pressure, especially in pass protection, was well-documented from the 2024 opener, a 27-7 home defeat to UNLV. Now Houston’s front five could consist solely of transfers, with a projected lineup of left tackle Alvin Ebosele (14 starts at Baylor), left guard Jason Brooks Jr. (1 start at Vanderbilt, 11 starts at Oklahoma State), center Matthew Wykoff (9 starts at Texas A&M, 15 starts at Cal), right guard McKenzie Agnello (12 starts at New Mexico), and right tackle Dalton Merryman (6 starts at Texas Tech). The average measurements of the new-look line are 6’6” and 314 pounds with tackles Merryman and Ebosele preventing excellent size at 6’9” and 6’6”, respectively. Two incumbent starters return – left tackle David Ndukwe and center Demetrius “Pancake” Hunter — who could find rotational playing time throughout the season.
The revamped line also aims to provide improved run support to a deep running back corps. Houston will likely start out with a committee approach, considering the sheer experience to go around the room. Sixth-year senior Stacy Sneed is the longest-tenured Cougar, operating as a viable secondary back for several years with 1,091 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on a 5.9 average. Younger faces such as Re’Shaun Sanford, J’Marion Burnette, and DJ Butler all saw recurring reps last year, and Sanford ranked first on the roster with 444 yards on 94 attempts. But another feature back could be Rice transfer Dean Connors. On the other side of the Bayou Bucket rivalry, Connors produced back-to-back 770+ yard, 7+ touchdown rushing seasons. The speedster’s abilities go beyond the ground though, as the super senior ranked second among all FBS running backs with 62 receptions in 2024.
Connors should be one of the most frequented targets in a receiving game which should see improved production under Weigman. The wide receiver room returns its top option in Stephon “Boogie” Johnson who secured team-highs in receptions (32) and receiving yards (402) last fall. Mekhi Mews — a fleet-footed threat on screens and deep ball — also returns to the unit, ranking second behind Johnson with 29 catches. However, Houston must replace a starting receiver in Joseph Manjack IV, and the Cougars have several candidates who could be up for the job.
Koby Young only saw 19 snaps as a true freshman and the former 4-star is primed for exponential growth in 2025. Additionally, the Cougars dipped their hand in the portal to land Amare Thomas (UAB) and Harvey Broussard III (Louisiana). Thomas ranked first among UAB receivers with 62 receptions, 670 yards, and eight touchdowns in 2024, while Broussard checked in third on the Ragin’ Cajuns by corralling 31 receptions for 486 yards.
While Thomas and Broussard were productive at their prior stops, no Houston transfer matches the receiving production of Tanner Koziol. A late spring addition, Koziol arrives from Ball State where he ranked sixth nationally (wide receivers included) with 94 receptions. The All-MAC tight end produced eight touchdowns as the focal point of the Cardinals’ offense, and his presence immediately bolsters Houston’s tight end room — along with the arrival of Tulsa starter Luke McGary and returning starter Jayden York.
Defense
| Statistic | Total | Big 12 Rank (of 16) | National Rank (of 134) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points Allowed Per Game | 22.9 | 4 | 40 |
| Total Defense | 324.8 | 2 | 25 |
| Passing Yards Allowed Avg. | 188.8 | 4 | 28 |
| Opponent Completion % | 59.8 | 8 | 54 |
| Rush Yards Avg. Allowed | 135.9 | 6 | 44 |
| Sacks Per Game | 1.67 | t-11 | t-93 |
| Takeaways | 19 | 7 | t-54 |
- Key arrivals: DE Eddie Walls III, DT Khalil Laufau, ILB Jesus Machado, ILB Carmycah Glass, OLB Sione Fotu, CB Marc Stampley, CB Will James, SS Blake Thompson, SS Jordan Allen, SS Wrook Brown
- Key departures: DE Keith Cooper Jr., DT Anthony Holmes Jr., ILB Jamal Morris, OLB Michael Batton, CB Jeremiah Wilson, FS AJ Haulcy, SS Hershey McLaurin
- Key incumbents: DT Carlos Allen, DT Xavier Stillman, OLB Brandon Mack, OLB Latreveon McCutchin, OLB Corey Platt Jr., CB Latrell McCutchin, FS Kentrell Webb
Houston’s defense was arguably as strong as any Big 12 defense in 2025. The Cougars didn’t rank atop the major defensive categories, as offensive issues — such as frequent giveaways — often put the defense in compromised field position, but the unit kept so many games alive until the fourth quarter.
The challenge for Houston’s defense in 2025 is to replicate 2024’s firepower. A new coordinator is in town and the unit must replace a slew of stars from the prior year — tackles leader Michael Batton, sacks leader Keith Cooper Jr., and the dynamic secondary duo of AJ Haulcy and Jeremiah Wilson (late portal departures who collected nine of Houston’s 12 interceptions in 2024).
One rising star the Cougars can rebuild around is defensive tackle Carlos Allen. The former Kennesaw State transfer started all 12 games last year and thrived as a playmaker in November, reaching 43 tackles from a position which typically doesn’t generate that many takedowns. Houston introduced veteran talent to surround Allen on the d-line, bringing in Khalil Lafau from Washington State and Eddie Walls III from FIU. Those two combined for 11 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks in 2024 — both producing more sacks than any Cougar last year. Under Coach Giles on the defensive line, Houston rotates bodies quite frequently, so incumbent backups such as defensive tackle Xavier Stillman and defensive ends Zavian Tibbs and Quindario Lee should still see ample action.
Bridging the gap between the defensive line and linebacking corps is Brandon Mack at the ‘JACK’ position. Mack greatly amplified his snap count in his second season with the Cougars, registering 39 tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks. Bringing down the quarterback was one of the rare areas the defense wasn’t among the Big 12’s elite, but Mack aims to improve that operating alongside a new defensive line. Likely spotting him as a rotation piece is Latreveon McCutchin, who produced four tackles for loss and starred on special teams last year.
The position group with the most uncertainty is the linebacking corps and that’s due to the health of its Tulane transfers. Corey Platt Jr. migrated from New Orleans to Houston at the same time as Fritz but was sidelined due to a torn Achilles — his second torn Achilles in less than a year. Platt produced 15 tackles in Tulane 2023 opener, but tore his other Achilles in that contest, and he’s still looking to play his first snap since. Jesus Machado is a similar story. After producing 98 tackles for Tulane in 2023 — stepping up due to Platt’s injury — he tore his ACL in the Military Bowl and missed all of 2024. Both Tulane transfers eye 2025 returns, and their availability determines the depth of this group.
Other linebackers include returning backups Jalen Garner and Christian Brathwaite who should develop into larger roles, as well as transfers Sione Fotu (Utah) and Carmycah Glass (Louisiana). Fotu reached career-highs in tackles (19) and pass breakups (9) in 2024 as a longtime Ute, while Glass earned All-Sun Belt honorable mention at his prior stomping grounds with 75 tackles and four tackles for loss. Houston succeeded with its portal usage at linebacker last year by bringing in the versatile Michael Batton, and the Cougars hope Glass or Fotu can provide the same immediate impact.
Batton made plenty of opportune plays for the Cougars last year, picking off a pass and recovering two fumbles. The other defensive opportunists were cornerback Jeremiah Wilson and free safety AJ Haulcy, who picked off four and five passes, respectively, as members of a lockdown secondary. Both transferred away in April, and finding replacements for them isn’t easy that late in the offseason. Still, the Cougars managed to land Louisiana Tech strong safety and Wyoming nickel Wrook Brown to rebuild the defensive backfield. Thompson managed 59 tackles and three tackles for loss with the Bulldogs while Brown recorded six interceptions across the last two years at Wyoming.
Jordan Allen (LSU), Marc Stampley (Georgia Southern), Will James (Southern Miss), and C.J. Douglas (FCS Samford) also provide much-needed depth to the secondary. Of these newcomers, corners Stampley and James offer the most FBS experience with seven pass deflections apiece in 2024. Transfers should account for much of the production, but the defensive back room also features key incumbents. Latrell McCutchin could be one of the top cornerbacks in the Big 12 in 2025, offering great length and technique en route to 37 tackles and three pass breakups in his first year suiting up for the Cougars. Kentrell Webb also returns after starting all 12 games at free safety, ranking fourth on the unit with 54 tackles.
Special Teams
| Statistic | Total | Big 12 Rank (of 16) | National Rank (of 134) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field Goals Made | 10 | 15 | t-113 |
| Field Goal % | 71.4 | 12 | t-85 |
| Extra Point % | 94.1 | t-14 | t-121 |
| Punting Avg. | 41.9 | 13 | 81 |
| Kickoff Return Avg. | 21.0 | 4 | 50 |
| Punt Return Avg. | 6.9 | 10 | 79 |
- Key arrivals: K Ethan Sanchez, PR Austin Carlisle
- Key departures: K Jack Martin, KR Bryan Massey
- Key incumbents: P Liam Dougherty, KR/PR Mekhi Mews
Houston’s special teams was a mixed bag in 2024. The Cougars had their moments — Jack Martin’s walk-off field goal to beat Utah and Mekhi Mews’ punt return touchdown vs. Rice — but the team ranked near the bottom of the Big 12 in field goals made, field goal and extra point percentages, and punting average.
The Cougars send out a new kicker this season after Martin’s graduation, bringing in Old Dominion transfer Ethan Sanchez. Sanchez served as the Monarchs’ kicker the last three years, showing significant promise in 2022 (1o-of-13) and 2024 (11-of-12), with a 14-of-21 performance sandwiched in between. The senior was nearly perfect last season as his only miss was a 58-yard bomb vs. Bowling Green. Sanchez drained his second-longest kick at 53 yards and all 10 attempts under 50, demonstrating reliability at the position. Houston has long strived for reliable kicking, as 2019 was the last year the Cougars drained at least 80.0% of attempts.
Houston punted more times than everybody but Utah in the conference, and the Cougars hope to slice the number of attempts in 2025. Still, the services will be provided by Liam Dougherty who won Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week for his work in Houston’s upset over a ranked Kansas State team. Dougherty landed five of six punts inside the 20-yard line, booting a season-long 65-yard punt deep into Wildcat territory. His punting took a turn for the better after that showing, ending the season with game-best averages of 47.0 and 48.5 against Baylor and BYU.
The return game also brings back a familiar contributor in Mekhi Mews, who handled eight kickoffs for 25.9 yards a pop and 19 punts for 132 yards and a touchdown. Mews nearly logged a second touchdown at Arizona, but a penalty that didn’t affect the play spurned him of another end zone appearance. He continued Houston’s recent track record of excellence in the return game, and no program has more than the Cougars’ 14 kick/punt return touchdowns since 2019.
Mews could operate in the dual kick/punt returner role once again. Another candidate for returning kickoffs is running back DJ Butler, who took two reps for 29 yards in 2024. But the most interesting twist to the return game is the potential presence of true freshman Austin Carlisle. His speed is well-documented as the fastest QB in the video game EA Sports College Football 26, and he has split punt return reps with Mews throughout fall camp.
Outlook
Improvement is the expectation in Houston in year three of Big 12 action. The program hasn’t sniffed a bowl game since its American Conference days after a pair of 4-8 seasons, but things are trending upward for Willie Fritz and the Coogs.
Introducing Conner Weigman and five starting-caliber linemen to the offense can work wonders for a unit which averaged just two touchdowns per game last year and struggled to both move the sticks and take care of the ball. Any incremental offensive improvement can launch the Cougars back into Bowl Season, but there is one key condition to account for — the defense must maintain its firepower.
Houston’s defense was consistent and reliable in 2024, and only three opponents managed 30 points on the Cougars all year long. When the unit held opponents under 20, the team fared 4-1. However, the most influential determinant of results was the turnover battle. The Cougars were 4-0 when they won that imperative statistic and 0-8 otherwise. As relentless as the 2024 defense was, there are still strides to be made in pass rush and turnover generation, and the Cougars aim to do so under Austin Armstrong.
Lastly, the schedule is favorable. Rather than opening with Mountain West Championship Game participant UNLV and Oklahoma in the opening weeks, the Cougars host an FCS opponent and drive across town to Rice (in the final installment of the Bayou Bucket rivalry) right off the bat. Thanks to a Friday night Big 12 opener vs. Colorado, Houston won’t have to leave the confines of the city until Week 5.
Rounding out non-conference play is Oregon State, meaning the Cougars won’t face a single bowl team from 2025 outside of the Big 12. In conference play, Houston faces four teams that finished under .500 in 2024 and five opponents that generated 8+ victories. A vital stretch of the schedule transpires in November as the Cougars must face in-state foes TCU and Baylor in consecutive weeks — a time of the year when bowl eligibility, or more, could be at stake.
But it’s important to remember Houston resides in the Big 12 — a conference of wide-ranging parity and opportunity. Even in a 4-8 season, the Cougars contributed to that parity with a pair of wins over 9-4 teams. Thus, every week is a grind, and Houston must be up for weekly challenges to reach heights it hasn’t seen since its days in the American.
Schedule
| Week | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | vs. Abilene Christian (FCS)* | Thu, Aug. 28 |
| 2 | @ Rice* | Sat, Sept. 6 |
| 3 | vs. Colorado | Fri, Sept. 12 |
| 4 | BYE | |
| 5 | @ Oregon State* | Fri, Sept. 26 |
| 6 | vs. Texas Tech | Sat, Oct. 4 |
| 7 | @ Oklahoma State | Sat, Oct. 11 |
| 8 | vs. Arizona | Sat, Oct. 18 |
| 9 | @ Arizona State | Sat, Oct. 25 |
| 10 | vs. West Virginia | Sat, Nov. 1 |
| 11 | @ UCF | Fri, Nov. 7 |
| 12 | BYE | |
| 13 | vs. TCU | Sat, Nov. 22 |
| 14 | @ Baylor | Sat, Nov. 29 |
| 15 | Big 12 Championship Game | Sat, Dec. 6 |
* denotes non-conference game
