Teams:
- Arizona
- Arizona State
- Baylor
- BYU
- Cincinnati
- Colorado
- Houston – At bat
- Iowa State – On deck
- Kansas – In the hole
- Kansas State
- Oklahoma State
- TCU
- Texas Tech
- UCF
- Utah
- West Virginia
Portal Team Rankings:
- On3: Big 12 2nd | National 6th
- 24/7 Sports: Big 12 12th | National 50th
- The Athletic: B+
Via AI:
- Anthony Boswell (OL, Toledo): Highest-graded interior lineman in the class, former first-team All-MAC center.
- Makhi Hughes (RB, Oregon): Prolific former Tulane rusher reuniting with Fritz after racking up over 2,700 yards in his first two college seasons.
- Shadre Hurst (OL, Tulane): All-AAC first-team guard providing immediate stability along the trenches.
- Patrick Overmyer (TE, UTSA): Former freshman All-American expected to shoulder heavy targets in the red zone.
- Trent Walker (WR, Oregon State): Productive pass-catcher bringing valuable Pac-12 experience over to the Big 12.
- Javion White (S, Tulane): Standout defensive back with 40 tackles and 3 interceptions coming off a stellar campaign.
- Jalen Mayo (CB, SFA): FCS All-American who snagged 4 interceptions and figures into an immediate starting role.
- Ashton Porter (EDGE, Oregon): High-upside pass rusher returning closer to home to anchor the defensive line.
Via The Athletic:
Top players added: RB Makhi Hughes (Oregon), WR Trent Walker (Oregon State), iOL Shadre Hurst (Tulane), OT Drew Terrill (Toledo), S Javion White (Tulane)
The Cougars have 13 starters to replace from last year’s 10-win team, but only one was lost to the portal. Coach Willie Fritz and his son, Wes, the team’s general manager, did a terrific job retaining six starters on offense and six on defense. They also signed nine starters off FBS rosters to fill holes, including three on the offensive line. Hughes was a star for Fritz at Tulane two years ago and appears to be perfectly positioned to help fill the shoes of leading rusher Dean Connors. The bottom line is the Cougars are in a strong position to compete for the Big 12 championship with the roster the staff has put together.
Fritz is one of the most underrated coaches of the 21st century. He won two juco national titles, reached two FCS title games with Sam Houston, engineered immediate FBS success at Georgia Southern and turned Tulane into a mid-major powerhouse. In his latest move, the 66-year-old needed only one year to create something viable at Houston: After a 4-8 debut, his Cougars charged to 10-3 with only their second SP+ top-40 finish in nine years.
In his first year in a job, Fritz’s all-time win percentage is just .507. But it rises to .730 in Year 2 and holds steady at .725 in Year 3. And with a veteran quarterback, a new/old running back and dynamite additions on both lines, I could see the Coogs overachieving their No. 36 projection.
There’s more at the link.
Team Recruiting Rankings:
- On3: Big 12 6th | National 37th
- 24/7 Sports: Big 12 5th | National 38th
Via AI:
- Keisean Henderson: Five-star quarterback from Legacy School of Sports Sciences in Spring, Texas. He is rated as the No. 1 quarterback and the highest-ranked recruit in modern program history.
- Paris Melvin Jr.: Four-star athlete from Cy Springs High School in Cypress, Texas. He is a dynamic multi-sport playmaker who projects heavily into the defensive secondary or an explosive offensive role.
- John Hebert: Highly-touted running back out of Strake Jesuit College Prep in Houston, Texas. He serves as a foundational piece for the ground game in this milestone recruiting haul.
Big 12 Power Rankings
- ESPN’s Bill Connelly: 7th in the Big 12
- CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah: 3rd in the Big 12
- The Big Lead: 3rd in the Big 12
- Desert News’ Brandon Judd: 3rd in the Big 12
AI Projection: What is the outlook for Houston Cougars football for 2026?
The outlook for the Houston Cougars in 2026 is very bright, with expectations to contend for the Big 12 title, build on a 10-win season, and feature a strong roster led by head coach Willie Fritz.
Key Strengths and Roster
Returning Star Power: Quarterback Conner Weigman returns after a stellar breakout year with 2,705 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 700 rushing yards.
Impact Additions: The team added major talent via the transfer portal, including former Tulane and Oregon running back Makhi Hughes, alongside reliable wide receiver Amare Thomas.
Coaching and Depth: Head coach Willie Fritz enters his third year having drastically improved depth and line-of-scrimmage physicality across both sides of the ball.
Schedule and Expectations
Season Opener: The Cougars kick off their season on September 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. against the Oregon State Beavers at TDECU Stadium.
Projected Success: Media picks and analysts project Houston as a top contender in the conference (predicted around third to fifth in the Big 12) with a potential path to another double-digit win season, facing tough road tests at Texas Tech and Utah.