Houston lost a lot of experience at cornerback after the 2025 season. According to PFF, the position group (including the STAR position) saw 1,966 snaps from last season move on.
Latrell McCutchin and Zelmar Vedder make up the bulk of snaps lost on the outside. Will James returns and will continue to man one side of the field. Incoming transfer Jalen Mayo is handling responsibilities on the other side. This duo could (should?) elevate UH’s cornerback play from last season.
Starting Duo
According to PFF, Mayo and James ranked 9th (88.4) and 10th (88.3), respectively, in coverage grades at their position across all levels of college football in the 2025 regular season. By that metric, they would have been the best duo in the nation in 2025. That is, of course, an isolated aspect of their play, but it’s fun to write and share.
Mayo will have to prove that his play translates from the Southland Conference to the Big 12. He’s already proven he can make a jump in competition going from Virginia Union to Stephen F. Austin. Mayo followed cornerbacks coach Marcus Trice from SFA last winter.
What sets Mayo apart is “His ability to change directions and accelerate in short areas,” Trice said in an interview. “I normally describe him as ‘silky.’ He has a unique ability to disassociate his lower body from his upper body…without losing any acceleration.”
James is coming off of an excellent season that earned him Second Team All-Big 12 in 2025. He earned Preseason First Team All-Big 12 honors from the conference and a spot on The Nagurski Award watchlist. Trice is excited with what he has seen from him.
“Will is everything they said he was; they told me he was gonna be special, and he is,” Trice said. “He understands people’s movement skills, he understands what quarterbacks are thinking, and he understands our scheme at a high level.”
Trice said he and the coaching staff are setting high expectations for them this upcoming season.
“We’re challenging (James) right now, not just to be the best corner here or the best in the Big 12, but we’re challenging (James) and Jalen Mayo to be the best corners throughout the country,” Trice said.
Depth Outlook
The Cougars are still figuring out who their third cornerback will be. Players in contention for that spot include Keany Parks, Dassi Abdullah, JD Rhym, Jamaal Shaw and James Henderson. Parks is dealing with a thumb injury, but is expected back for the season opener.
Before the injury, Parks was getting the most opportunities as the third CB, but the staff hasn’t decided whether that role will be one guy or a committee when the season starts.
I was curious when Trice mentioned Shaw. Shaw has been here since 2023 and stuck around after the coaching change. Outside of playing special teams, he hasn’t taken a snap since his freshman season but now appears to be pushing for his first real opportunity at playing time.
“First thing I told (Shaw), you gotta cut weight. You’re kinda heavy,” Trice said. Shaw was playing at over 200 pounds and has since brought his weight down to around 191. Trice said he is moving better since the change.
“Jamaal takes the game very seriously. He’s an elite competitor; he has a knack for finding the football,” Trice said. “And he’s a tough kid. He’s a special player and a special person. Fast kid, strong as heck in the weight room.”
Trice called the freshmen, Abdullah and Henderson, “adept learners” and praised Abdullah for his competitive nature and intelligence. He said Henderson’s athletic profile is translating well and fits the scheme. Trice says that both have shown willingness to ask questions and absorb whatever knowledge they can. Overall, the staff is very high on Henderson.
STAR position
The STAR is a hybrid position that lines up in the nickel/slot. Wrook Brown performed really well for the Coogs last season at STAR, and this season the staff brought in Javion White from Tulane.
White will be the starter and take the majority of the snaps, as he provides the versatility needed at the position. Last season, he posted a coverage grade of 74.4 and has four career interceptions. Behind him, this is the spot I would expect to see standout freshman Paris Melvin get snaps.
“Consistency is the mark of a champion,” Trice said. He used the word “consistency” or some form of it several times in our conversation. I think that will be key for the position group this season. If the top is consistent with their past production, expect big things from the defense. Just as important will be finding which depth pieces can provide steady relief as the season goes on.
