Houston’s fall camp is winding down, and most of the heavy lifting on the depth chart already looks done. With 12 returning starters and a transfer class built to fill specific needs, the Cougars entered camp without a lot of open battles. Still, a few spots have stayed worth watching as the regular season gets closer.
The biggest one may be kicker. It’s one of the rare starting jobs that still seems unsettled, and coach Willie Fritz said a few days earlier that redshirt sophomore Jonathan Dimas is working with the first team right now. That’s a notable development, especially since Dimas had not previously gotten a starting chance.
Dimas is a Houston native and Westfield High School product, and this could be the year he breaks through. The competition includes redshirt freshman Evan Noel, who arrived from Florida through the portal and was the No. 1 overall kicker in his class.
Noel has the bigger leg, but for now Dimas appears to be ahead. Even senior kickoff specialist Zac Yoakum was handling kicking duties with the No. 2 team.
That position matters even more with Houston expecting to play in a lot of close Big 12 games. Ethan Sanchez was strong for UH last season, hitting multiple game-winning field goals and earning a spot as a Lou Groza Award semifinalist.
At receiver, the top of the pecking order is already clear. Senior Amare Thomas is the lead target, and senior transfer Trent Walker should have a major role. Behind them, redshirt sophomore Koby Young seems to have separated himself enough to earn more work after standing out at camp.
The question now is who claims the next spot in the rotation. Sophomore Jaquise Martin has been noticeable, and redshirt sophomore Tyson Turner has also been making catches.
Senior Harvey Broussard III is still in the mix as well, and a strong finish to camp could put him in position to grab that role. Transfer sophomore Muizz Tounkara could also enter the picture once he returns from what is supposed to be a couple of weeks away, especially after how impressive he looked in the spring.
The offensive line’s starting five is veteran-heavy, but the second unit has become a key point of attention. Houston currently has two freshmen in that group: right guard Noah Abebe and center Aaron Wolford. They’re joined by sophomore left tackle RJ Lee, redshirt junior left guard Larry Crawford and redshirt sophomore right tackle Ronnell McLain.
Depth up front is always part of the equation, and Houston’s second-team line will need close monitoring as camp closes.
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Houston Has A Few Final Camp Battles Fans Should Watch Closely
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Among the names worth watching are wide receivers Trent Walker, Koby Young and Broussard III, along with cornerback Mayo and running back Butler, all of whom have a chance to make a real push in camp. The bigger takeaway is the depth Houston seems to have assembled, but the last few practices should show whether those pieces are ready to lock into larger roles as the Cougars build toward the 2026 season. [Read more 🡒]
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Conner Weigman Is Giving Houston Fans A Real Reason To Believe
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It is a sign of how much attention Weigman is drawing before Houston even takes the field. Among returning Big 12 quarterbacks, he is right near the top in passing touchdowns, rushing touchdowns and passing yards, and he also stands out for his accuracy. For a team trying to set the tone early, that kind of profile gives the Sept. 5 opener against Oregon State a little more intrigue. [Read more 🡒]