Houston opens the 2025 season Thursday night. Here are five guys that might be under the radar to watch:
LB Jalen Garner – Jalen has turned heads since the start of summer workouts and was exceptional in Fall Camp. He might have been a surprise for fans on the depth chart, but he was not a surprise to his teammates. They’ve seen the steadiness for months.
Returner Mekhi Mews – Mekhi will return kicks and punts, six months after surgery forced him to miss spring camp. Mekhi is low to the ground but has great vision – he’s like a field-level all-22 film. Expect kick and punt returns to be better this year.
LB Corey Platt – Platt has not played in a game since September 2, 2023, when he tore his Achilles against South Alabama. Platt had 15 tackles in less than three quarters in that game (10 solo). His last play was a sack to end a promising USA drive. He then tore his other Achilles tendon during summer workouts in Houston last summer. Platt will come back slowly in the first few weeks, but he will soon be a difference maker in the linebacking corps.
WR Devan Williams – He broke out against TCU last year and has been rising ever since. A solid spring and a great Fall Camp have put him into the starting lineup. He’s versatile, but he just gets open. I expect him to score half a dozen touchdowns this year.
RB J’Marion Burnette – The guys in the locker room call him Phat, and he’s definitely a wide load. He’s a chiseled 225 lbs and runs hard. Coaches rave about him. I think he has meaningful carries early in the season.
And five more: WS Jordan Allen, WR Amare Thomas, LT Alvin Ebosele, TE Luke McGary, and STAR Marc Stampley.
