Houston kept rolling through fall camp Monday morning, and day 5 offered another look at why this group has people around the program paying attention. With just over three weeks left before the Cougars open the 2026 season against Oregon State at TDECU Stadium on Sept. 5, the mix of returning experience and transfer talent kept showing up on the outdoor practice fields.
Willie Fritz has spent the early stretch of camp hammering the fundamentals, and that work was evident again. Houston brought energy, played with noticeable physicality and kept leaning into the clean, old-school style Fritz wants. The playmakers started to separate themselves, too.
Conner Weigman had one of the sharper showings. The senior quarterback has had a healthy and stable offseason, and that has clearly helped him add strength. Fritz said at the start of camp that Weigman has more zip on the ball, and it showed on a touchdown throw over the middle to senior wide receiver Amare Thomas in the end zone.
Weigman also delivered a deep strike that traveled almost 50 yards down the sideline to sophomore wide receiver Koby Young, who secured it through tight coverage for a contested catch. The accuracy was there, including on the throw-in, and Houston kept getting glimpses of the version of Weigman it wants to build around.
Tyson Turner also made his presence felt. The redshirt sophomore wide receiver, a transfer from Texas Tech, turned in multiple catches and looks like a player who could carve out a role in the receiver rotation.
In the backfield, redshirt junior Reshaun Sanford II continued to stand out as the most experienced runner in the room. Entering his fourth season at Houston, Sanford took a solid number of reps and is expected to be one of the main options behind senior transfer Makhi Hughes.
Sanford led Houston in rushing in 2024, but injuries have repeatedly interrupted his chances to build on that. He missed last season after getting hurt in fall camp, and he also went down in 2023 camp as a freshman.
When he has been available, though, he has been productive. At 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, Sanford is viewed by running backs coach Jordy Joseph as a "change of pace" back who can "make things off schedule."
He also brings track speed from his high school days, giving Houston another quick option in the run game.
The secondary also looked active. Houston’s corner group is led by Will James, who was named to the Nagurski Award Preseason Watch List, and the corners were around the ball frequently during 7-on-7 work. At times they stayed tight on routes, and at other times they brought the pop at the catch point and knocked the ball loose.
Cornerbacks coach Marcus Trice said the group’s camaraderie has grown a lot in a short time and that the room now operates with a system of accountability.
In Other News...
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
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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 🡒]