Houston’s first week of fall camp has arrived, and one of the clearest reasons for the optimism around the Cougars is sitting right at receiver. Senior Amare Thomas is heading into his final season in red and white, and everything about his 2026 outlook points to another major year.
The Cougars are preparing for their home opener against Oregon State on Sept. 5 at 11 a.m., and they do so with the fourth-best odds to win the conference. That buzz is tied in large part to a returner-heavy roster, a group that helped Houston blow past the modest expectations set before last season.
National outlets pegged Houston as a 6-6 team entering 2025, a rebuild year on paper. Instead, the Cougars ripped off a 10-3 finish and capped it with a 38-35 win over LSU in the Texas Bowl. That run firmly established Houston as one of the league’s top teams.
Coach Willie Fritz deserves plenty of credit for putting the roster together, especially through the transfer portal. Conner Weigman was the headliner among the offseason additions, but Thomas made his own case as one of the country’s most dangerous playmakers.
He put together a huge 2025 campaign, finishing with 67 catches for 966 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging 14.4 yards per reception. Those numbers left him second in the Big 12 in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
There’s reason to think he can climb even higher this fall. Another offseason with Weigman should only sharpen that connection, and Houston’s other weapons should keep defenses from keying on Thomas snap after snap.
Makhi Hughes and Trent Walker are both expected to draw heavy defensive attention, which should create more room for Thomas to operate. Senior wide receiver Stephen Johnson also has a chance to join the team for the 2026 season, and if that happens, Houston would add yet another receiver with WR1 upside.
That kind of depth makes Houston’s offense especially dangerous. With so many threats to account for, Thomas should have plenty of chances to make defenses pay, and a career year in 2026 is firmly on the table.
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Houston Camp Buzz Is Building Around Conner Weigman For One Reason
Houston wrapped up its first week of fall camp with some encouraging signs as it looks ahead to the 2026 season, and the early buzz has centered on a roster that appears deeper than it was a year ago. Wide receiver and the offensive line stood out in particular, with sophomore Koby Young and senior guard Shadre Hurst both drawing attention for their work during the opening stretch.
Conner Weigman has also opened camp on a strong note, and the senior quarterback is already showing a clearer command of the offense. The most noticeable part of his start has been the growth in his throwing ability after a healthy offseason, which has given Houston reason to feel better about what the passing game can become once the intensity ramps up. [Read more 🡒]
Houstons 2026 Offense Is Taking Shape With One Big Question
Houston is wrapping up its first week of fall camp, and the early shape of the offense is starting to come into focus. The quarterback room has a clear hierarchy, the backfield looks deep, and there is enough movement across the receiving corps and offensive line to suggest the Cougars will have plenty of options when the 2026 season arrives.
The bigger question is how quickly all of those pieces settle into something reliable. Transfers and returning players are both in the mix up front and out wide, which gives Houston a chance to build around experience while also sorting out roles that are still taking form. For a team trying to define its offensive identity early, the next stretch of camp should go a long way toward revealing which groups are ready now and which ones still need time. [Read more 🡒]
Houston May Have Its Best Shot Yet To Climb The Big 12
Houstons path in the Big 12 looks a lot sturdier heading into 2026 than it has in some recent seasons, and a big reason is the way the roster is lining up around the quarterback position. Conner Weigman brings experience, while Keisean Henderson arrives with the kind of hype that usually signals a programs long-term answer. With both in the building, the Cougars have the rare luxury of combining a proven option with a highly rated prospect who could take over when the time is right.
The rest of the offense also gives Houston a better foundation than it has had in a while. A rebuilt offensive line should help stabilize the front, the receiving corps looks strong, and the running back room adds depth that can keep defenses honest. Put it all together, and the Cougars finally have the sort of roster balance that can make a real climb in a league where margin for error is thin. [Read more 🡒]