Willie Fritz wins football games.
From coaching Blinn at the JUCO ranks, to Central Missouri in Division II, to Sam Houston at the FCS level, to Georgia Southern and Tulane in the FBS, Fritz has consistently built winning programs. In 31 years across those five programs, the head coach only endured five losing seasons — and most came during the early stages of his tenure.
So what happens when he inherits a Houston program acclimating to Big 12 life? Year one was a 4-8 struggle, highlighted by offensive
shortcomings. Year two was a rapid ascension to 10-3. The Cougars defeated LSU in the Texas Bowl and landed at No. 22 in the final AP Poll for their first season-ending ranking since 2021. Highlights from a breakout campaign included a 7-0 record away from TDECU Stadium and a 6-1 mark in one-score games, including two victories on walk-off field goals.
Now for the first time as a Big 12 institution, Houston enters a season with lofty expectations. The Cougars are one of four programs in the conference with a preseason ranking, hoping to make the one-to-two game improvement necessary to qualify for the College Football Playoff.
There are reasons to believe Houston can maintain last year’s success. The Cougars retained all three coordinators and 12 starters, including veteran quarterback Conner Weigman and All-Big 12 standouts Amare Thomas and Will James. They’re also supplementing that returning talent with all-conference caliber transfers including Shadre Hurst and Makhi Hughes.
Fritz’s team won’t be sneaking up on anybody this year. And it’s tougher to sustain success than attain it. The question is, how do they handle the newfound pressure?
Staff
Houston exhibits impressive stability on its coaching staff. Willie Fritz begins his third season as head coach after improving the team by six wins from 2024 to 2025. The coordinators who guided that turnaround — offensive coordinator Slade Nagle, defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong, and special teams coordinator Chris Couch — all return for their second seasons on staff.
Positional coaches returning include Shawn Bell (quarterbacks), Jordy Joseph (running backs), Eman Naghavi (offensive line), Oscar Giles (defensive line), and James Ross (outside linebackers and defensive run game coordinator).
Wide receivers coach Derrick Sherman departed for Iowa State, and offensive assistant Brian Bell (Shawn’s brother) was promoted to fill the vacancy. Another offensive assistant, Henry Stone, will oversee the tight ends room. PJ Hall, who played safety at Tulane under Fritz, shifts from cornerbacks coach to safeties coach. Marcus Trice takes over at cornerbacks coach after spending the previous four seasons leading defensive backs at FCS program Stephen F. Austin.
Another notable addition to staff is offensive assistant Michael Bishop. The 1998 Heisman runner-up at Kansas State, Bishop arrives in Houston after coaching 5-star recruit Keisean Henderson at Legacy the School of Sport Sciences, located under 30 miles from the Houston’s campus.
Offense
- Key arrivals: QB Keisean Henderson, RB Makhi Hughes, WR Trent Walker, WR Tyson Turner, WR Muizz Tounkara, TE Patrick Overmyer, C Anthony Boswell, G Shadre Hurst, OT Drew Terrill
- Key departures: RB Dean Connors, RB Stacy Sneed, WR Stephon Johnson Jr., TE Tanner Koziol, C Matthew Wykoff, G Jason Brooks Jr., OT Dalton Merryman
- Key incumbents: QB Conner Weigman, RB Re’Shaun Sanford II, RB DJ Butler, WR Amare Thomas, WR Koby Young, WR Harvey Broussard, G McKenzie Agnello, OT Alvin Ebosele
The No. 1 demand for Houston entering 2025 was offensive improvement. The Cougars housed the nation’s second-worst scoring offense in 2024 at 14.0 points per game. While the 2025 offense was a statistically middle-of-the-pack unit in the Big 12, the year over year improvement was exponential. Houston more than doubled its scoring average, increased its yards per game output by over 100, and most importantly, drastically fixed its offensive line woes.
Houston finished top 30 in fewest sacks allowed, protected the football, and significantly reduced its penalties. Those three qualities created an efficient unit, even if it wasn’t the Big 12’s most explosive offense.
Quarterback Conner Weigman was a massive addition to the group last year. The former 5-star Texas A&M quarterback finally enjoyed a clean slate of health, unlocking a more dynamic, dual-threat version of his game. Weigman threw for 2,705 yards on a 65.2 completion rate, delivering 25 touchdown to nine interceptions — including just two interceptions in his first eight starts. But the Texas Bowl MVP was particularly dangerous on designed runs, and he surpassed 80 rushing yards six times and 110 yards on three occasions.
Weigman isn’t the only 5-star in the room. The Cougars landed the nation’s No. 1 quarterback prospect in Keisean Henderson, who surpassed Ed Oliver as the program’s highest-rated recruit in history. Weigman remains the starter, but all eyes will be on the highly-touted true freshman when his first opportunity arises.
Both Weigman and Henderson are capable runners, but Houston must replace its near-1,000-yard running back in Dean Connors, who exhausted his eligibility. The Cougars landed former Willie Fritz recruit Makhi Hughes, who was a two-time First Team All-American Conference selection at Tulane. Hughes eclipsed 1,300 rushing yards in consecutive seasons with the Green Wave before a brief stop at Oregon in 2025, where he was limited to 17 carries for 70 yards. The 6’0”, 210 pound senior gets a redemption opportunity in Houston, where he’ll assume the feature tailback role.
DJ Butler, who ranked second among Houston running backs in production with 301 yards, and Re’Shaun Sanford, the team’s 2024 rushing leader who suffered a torn ACL during 2025 fall camp, provide additional depth. True freshman John Hebert, a 4-star recruit who posted consecutive 3,500-yard rushing seasons at Strake Jesuit High School, could be another intriguing option on the roster.
Houston’s offense returns one of the best wide receivers in the country. Amare Thomas was a First Team All-Big 12 selection in 2025 thanks to a campaign featuring 966 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns (tied for sixth in FBS) on 67 receptions. Thomas was a reliable playmaker in 2025, but no other wide receiver surpassed 13 receptions. The room should be deeper this year due to the internal development of Koby Young, Harvey Broussard III, along with the additions of transfers Trent Walker (Oregon State), Tyson Turner (Texas Tech), and Muizz Tounkara (Florida). Walker — who posted 103 yards on Houston last September — is the most accomplished of the group, coming off consecutive 800-yard seasons at Oregon State.
The greatest vacancy on offense is at tight end, where Houston loses its lone NFL Draft selection in Tanner Koziol. Koziol led all FBS tight ends and all Big 12 players with 74 receptions a year ago, serving as a reliable red zone and short-yardage threat with his 6’7”, 250 pound frame. Houston reloads with a smaller, faster option in Patrick Overmyer, who recorded 627 receiving yards and eight touchdowns over the last two years at UTSA. Overmyer brings a degree of explosiveness after generating a catch of 34 yards or greater in five of his last six appearances. Houston will run multi-tight end personnel often, providing opportunities to returning faces such as Traville Frederick, Kaleb Thomas, Wyatt Herbel, and Luke McGary.
The offensive line is another area where Houston reloaded exceptionally well through the transfer portal. Left tackle Alvin Ebosele and right guard McKenzie Agnello are the returning starters, and the Cougars complemented them with established newcomers. The team’s signature transfer addition is former Tulane guard Shadre Hurst, another former Fritz recruit. A two-time First Team All-American Conference selection, Hurst was arguably the most sought-after guard in the portal this offseason. He benches 475, squats 600, and is the Cougars’ top candidate for an All-American selection in 2026. Center Anthony Boswell (Toledo) and right tackle Drew Terrill (Miami (OH)) also join the group after garnering First and Second Team All-MAC selections, respectively, last fall.
Defense
- Key arrivals: DE Ashton Porter, DT Ejiro Egodogbare, DT De’Marion Thomas, OLB Jaden Yates, OLB Miller Malone, CB Jalen Mayo, CB Javion White, CB Paris Melvin Jr.
- Key departures: DE Eddie Walls III, DT Carlos Allen, OLB Jalen Garner, OLB Corey Platt Jr., CB Latrell McCutchin, CB Zelmar Vedder, CB Marc Stampley II, SS Wrook Brown
- Key incumbents: DE Brandon Mack II, DT Khalil Laufau, ILB Sione Fotu, ILB Carmycah Glass, OLB Latrevon McCutchin, OLB Chance Bryant, CB Will James, FS Kentrell Webb, SS Jordan Allen
Houston’s defense already performed at a high level in 2024. The Cougars maintained that success despite a change at defensive coordinator, going from Shiel Wood who left for Texas Tech, to Austin Armstrong. They ever-so-slightly improved their scoring defense, going from 22.9 points allowed per game down to 22.8.
While Houston allowed more yards per game in 2025, the Cougars improved in several important areas. The pass rush was substantially better in 2025, while the red zone defense sharply progressed, producing the nation’s 13th-lowest touchdown rate at 48.8 percent. There are significant losses including tackles leader Carlos Allen, sacks leader Eddie Walls III, and pass breakups leader Latrell McCutchin, but the defense enters 2026 with a strong foundation of six returning starters.
The defensive line is considerably larger this season. Houston reloaded with 6’3”, 280 pound defensive end Ashton Porter, 6’3”, 310 pound defensive tackle Ejiro Egodogbare, and 6’2”, 340 pound defensive tackle De’Marion Thomas. All three transfers all arrive with decent collegiate experience. Porter, a former 4-star recruit, generated 25 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks at Oregon. Thomas produced 54 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss in three seasons at Vanderbilt and Oklahoma State. Egodogbare, a seventh-year senior who missed the entirety of 2025, thrived in the FCS ranks as a 2024 First Team All-Ivy League selection.
That trio joins returning starters Brandon Mack II and Khalil Laufau on the defensive end. Mack, an eighth-year senior edge rusher, is returning leader with 5.0 sacks, while Laufau emerged as an effective defensive tackle late in the season, saving his best work for the Texas Bowl victory over LSU. Travis Buhake and Quindario Lee are among other returning players who could see expanded roles in the rotation.
With Egodogbare and Mack, Houston boasts plenty of super seniors on its defense. Another longtime college standout the Cougars send out is inside linebacker Sione Fotu, whose playing career dates back to 2020 at Utah. Fotu registered 56 tackles a year ago, and he’ll be supported by a returning inside backer in Carmycah Glass. The weakside linebacker position will be led by transfers. Jaden Yates was a First Team All-Sun Belt selection at Marshall in 2024 after a prolific 120-tackle campaign. He started nine games for Ole Miss last season, playing a significant role on a national semifinalist defense. Miller Malone also joins the room from WKU after recording 37 tackles and 5.0 tackles for loss in a breakout 2025.
The ‘jack’ linebacker spots, often tasked with rushing the passer, are occupied by Latreveon McCutchin and Chance Bryant. McCutchin is one of the team’s most athletic players and hardest-hitters. He is coming off a year of 35 tackles and two interceptions, highlighted by a pick-six at UCF. Bryant played regularly on special teams as a true freshman and could carve out a large role on defense in his second season.
The secondary could be among the Big 12’s best thanks to a talented, veteran core. Will James earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors after stuffing the stat sheet with 38 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles. Houston found a fitting counterpart opposite James in Jalen Mayo. Mayo, who excelled against Houston in the 2025 opener, follows cornerbacks coach Marcus Trice from FCS Stephen F. Austin, where he earned First Team All-Southland honors.
The safety room features returning starters Kentrell Webb and Jordan Allen. Webb’s 71 tackles are the most among returning Cougars, and his 25 starts as a Cougar are the most among active players on the roster. Allen, a former LSU transfer, was a surefire tackler with 48 takedowns in 2025. Both started all 13 contests last season, and they’ll be supported by reserves C.J. Douglas and Johnsley Barbas.
The secondary also added nickel Javion White, another Tulane transfer although he never previously played under Fritz. White was one of the top playmakers on the 2025 playoff-bound Green Wave, securing three interceptions and totaling six pass deflections. His understudy will be Paris Melvin Jr., a true freshman who Houston could deploy in all three phases of the game this season.
Special Teams
- Key arrivals: KR/PR Paris Melvin Jr., PR Trent Walker, LS Jack Carson-Wentz
- Key departures: K Ethan Sanchez, KR/PR Mekhi Mews, LS Jacob Garza
- Key incumbents: K Jonathan Dimas, K Zac Yoakam, P Liam Dougherty, KR DJ Butler
Special teams were instrumental for a Houston team that played in seven one-score contests and won six. Kicker Ethan Sanchez delivered two walk-off game-winners, defeating Oregon State and Arizona thanks to a reliable leg. However, Sanchez has graduated — although he could regain eligibility due to the ongoing Wisne v. NCAA decision that would grant a fifth-year of eligibility to athletes who graduated high school in 2022.
Assuming Sanchez does not return, Houston’s placekicking battle is between incumbent backups Jonathan Dimas and Zac Yoakam. Dimas has yet to attempt a collegiate field goal or extra point. Yoakam attempted five field goals at Notre Dame in 2024, making two, and is 20-of-20 on extra points. He handled the Cougars’ kickoff duties in 2025 and is expected to retain that role regardless of who wins the placekicking competition.
Liam Dougherty is one of the longer tenured contributors on the team, having first taken over as Houston’s punter as a freshman in 2024. Dougherty ranked sixth in the Big 12 in punting average (44.1) and punts downed inside the 20-yard line (18) during a productive sophomore campaign.
Houston has been renowned for its success in the return game in recent years. The Cougars housed 14 kickoff and punt return touchdowns from 2019-24, but last season was their first campaign devoid of a special teams touchdown since 2018.
DJ Butler, who fielded two kickoffs last year, is one candidate for kickoff return duties. Oregon State transfer receiver Trent Walker handled punt returns in Corvallis — 18 attempts for 107 yards in 2024-25 — and is a strong candidate to capture that role in Houston. True freshman Paris Melvin Jr. has also earned plenty of return reps in fall camp, and the versatile playmaker could find an early home on special teams.
Schedule and Outlook
* denotes non-conference game
Houston aims for its second consecutive double-digit win season. The Cougars have one of the more favorable non-conference schedules in the country, with Oregon State (2-10 last season) and Georgia Southern (7-6 last season) serving as their FBS competition.
However, conference play commences one week before the trip to Georgia Southern, and it’s a game every Cougar fan has circled and highlighted on their calendar. Houston pays a Friday night visit to reigning Big 12 champion Texas Tech — the only team to decisively defeat the Cougars in 2025, doing so in 35-11 fashion. A Sept. 18 victory would not only snap a 7-game losing streak to the Red Raiders but also propel Houston in the rankings, putting the program in favorable position for a Big 12 Championship berth.
Houston faces only two other Big 12 teams that posted winning records in 2025: Utah (11-2) and Cincinnati (7-6). However, Oklahoma State won’t resemble the 1-11 team Houston handled in Stillwater last year, considering the Cowboys added one of the nation’s top transfer classes led by Drew Mestemaker and Caleb Hawkins. Another notable matchup is the Nov. 21 trip to West Virginia, where the Cougars look to avenge their most stunning loss of 2025.
The returning talent, combined with a favorable schedule, position Houston for another successful season. However, the Cougars must avoid letting their 6-1 record in one-score games regress toward the mean in 2026. With Conner Weigman, a star receiver in Amare Thomas, a formidable offensive line, and a ballhawking secondary, Houston has the ingredients to contend for its first-ever Big 12 Championship.
But to accomplish that lofty goal, a statement likely must be made on the road at Texas Tech or Utah. Those are the opportunities for the Cougars to evolve from very good to great.
