The transfer portal window for football has officially opened. The Houston staff has begun scheduling visits and offering players. Here’s a look at each position group and some potential targets for the Cougars. These targets are based on previous relationships, Houston area products, or me just taking an educated guess.
Quarterback
Starter Conner Weigman is returning and still enjoying his recent Texas Bowl MVP. I don’t expect any traffic in this room. Zeon Chriss-Gremillion and Austin Carlisle are unsurprising departures. The #1 player in the 2026 class, Keisean Henderson, is likely to redshirt before taking over in 2027. They may add a veteran just in case. There’s a comforting level of stability here.
Running Back
Several departures in this room. Dean Connors and Stacy Sneed are graduating and J’Marion Burnette has stated he intends to enter the portal. Re’Shaun Sanford has shown dynamic ability but has suffered two season-ending injuries in three seasons on campus, playing just 12 games.
DJ Butler is the only returner with double-digit carries in 2025. Incoming four-star John Hebert looks promising but is an unknown at the college level. The staff needs to find a veteran or two to ensure enough depth to get through the season. Ideally, they get a back with proven production.
Potential targets:
Cam Cook, Jacksonville State (set to visit – 1/2)
Ju’Juan Johnson, LSU
Kaleb Jackson, LSU
Sutton Smith, Memphis
Wide Receiver
The team’s leading receiver, Amare Thomas, has confirmed he will return. Stephon Johnson’s status is in question as he is trying to get this season back after an injury. Mekhi Mews is the only other receiver departing that had a catch this season.
Harvey Broussard and Koby Young will be asked to step up and will likely improve after a year of playing in Slade Nagle’s system. Even so, the staff will be looking for another explosive pass-catcher to attack defenses.
Potential targets:
Devin McCuin, UTSA
Corey Scott, West Florida
Marquis Johnson, Missouri
Tight End
Tanner Koziol is leaving a 6’7”, 250-pound hole in this offense. It’s unlikely that UH will be able to replace him straight-up. His production will have to be replaced by tight ends and receivers.
The team is returning a full room, but they account for five catches, 16 yards, and one touchdown (Traville Frederick). There are some very interesting players reportedly entering the portal who have similar skillsets to Koziol.
Potential targets:
Witt Edwards, Vanderbilt
Patrick Overmyer, UTSA
Ismael Smith Flores, UTRGV
Offensive Line
As mentioned previously, no position group is losing as many snaps as the OL. Alvin Ebosele and McKenzie Agnello will return, and potentially David Ndukwe if he receives a medical redshirt. Outside of those three players, the returning players played a combined 42 snaps this season.
This portal season will look a lot like last year’s: The staff will be looking to bring in experienced, likely short-term, veterans to put a front line together. They will have to plug in starters at three positions.
Potential targets:
Jayven Richardson, Missouri
Bryant Williams, Louisiana
Bennett Warren, Tennessee
Evan Malcore, Northern Illinois
Defensive Line
Carlos Allen and Eddie Walls are leaving for the NFL. Outside of Khalil Laufau and Myles Parker, this is a very young position group. Chance Bryant played in nine games as a true freshman, and I expect several other young players to push for playing time next season.
This is a scenario where the staff will look to add a good player if possible, but will likely trust the young players in-house to develop. Someone to help plug the run is at the top of the list. When Carlos was out of the game, the team was gashed on the ground.
Potential targets:
Ryan Henderson, SDSU (set to visit – 1/4)
Will LeBlanc, UTPB
Tobi Osunsanmi, Kansas State
Talan Carter, Jacksonville State
Kevin Roberts, West Florida (offered – 1/1)
JACK
Brandon Mack just finished his seventh year in college, but no other JACK appears to be graduating.
Latreveon McCutchin was impactful all season, and I would expect him to have a big senior season before getting a shot at the league. The group of potential targets listed above for the defensive line could include players that might be used here.
Linebacker
Jalen Garner is graduating, and Corey Platt has announced his intention to transfer. This position group reminds me of the defensive line. Besides veterans like Sione Fotu and Carmycah Glass (Both played in all 13 games this season), young players will have opportunities to step in.
I expect players like Christian Brathwaite and Richmond Ugochuwku to push for snaps behind the returning veterans. This is another position where I don’t expect much movement.
Cornerback
Just behind the offensive line, this position group is losing the most snaps. Latrell McCutchin, Marc Stampley, and Wrook Brown are all graduating. Will James is the only returning player with more than 50 defensive snaps played this season.
The team is returning upperclassmen Keany Parks and JD Rhym, but neither has played much. I expect this position to be a priority. The Fritz era has gotten good play at cornerback regardless of the defensive coordinator. They’ll need to hit on players in the portal again.
Potential targets:
Jaheim Johnson, Tulane
Bradlee Jones, Citadel
Caleb Ricks, Idaho
Safety
As it stands, this room is returning at full strength. Kentrell Webb and Jordan Allen were consistent all year in the back end of the defense. Both played in all 13 games, and I would be surprised to see any movement here in the portal.
Freshmen Paris Melvin and Javen Holmes join veteran CJ Douglas in the group. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Melvin impress and get playing time in one of the three phases of the game. If not all three.
Special Teams
Monceaux would kill me if I ignored this group. Ethan Sanchez moves on after a great season. Long-time Coog and long snapper Jacob Garza graduates as well. Starting punter Liam Dougherty is returning.
Sanchez’s impact cannot be understated here. It will be important that the staff find an experienced leg to replace him. That could mean that Jonathan Dimas, who has been in the program for two years, takes over and earns the starting job, but they will likely turn to the portal.
