Houston Cougars Football: Transfer Portal Priorities Heading Into 2026
With the Texas Bowl on the horizon, the Houston Cougars are still focused on finishing strong this season. But let’s be honest - the transfer portal is already calling.
As the college football offseason kicks into gear, Houston’s staff is staring down some major roster turnover, and the portal will be a critical tool in reshaping the team for 2026. Let’s break down where the Cougars are most likely to reload - and where they’ll need to.
Offensive Line: A Full Rebuild in the Trenches
If there’s one position group that’s facing a near-total reset, it’s the offensive line. Houston is losing a staggering 2,936 snaps from this unit, the most of any group on the roster. Graduation and the departure of starting center Demetrius Hunter have left the cupboard thin.
Only two linemen - Mackenzie Agnello (686 snaps) and Alvin Ebosele (870 snaps) - return with meaningful experience. Everyone else in the room played fewer than 25 snaps this season. That’s not just a depth issue; it’s a continuity crisis.
The hope is that David Ndukwe, who went down early with a season-ending injury, could be granted a medical redshirt. But even if that breaks Houston’s way, the staff is going to have to hit the portal hard to find plug-and-play veterans. Expect another cycle of short-term fixes, ideally with multi-year upside.
Cornerback: One Standout, Then a Lot of Questions
Will James has been a revelation in his first season as a Cougar. His 87.4 PFF coverage grade ranks third in the Big 12 and 17th nationally - that’s elite company.
But here’s the issue: outside of James, the rest of the cornerback room returns just 56 total snaps. That’s not a typo.
The departures of Latrell McCutchin, Marc Stampley, and Wrook Brown leave a massive void. All three were transfer additions themselves, so Houston’s coaching staff has proven it can identify portal talent at this position. They’ll need to do it again - and fast.
Adding to the challenge is the loss of safeties coach Joshua Christian-Young, who’s headed to Kentucky. That’s a key voice in the defensive backfield room walking out the door. Whoever steps in will have a tall task in rebuilding a secondary that’s suddenly very thin.
Defensive Line: Replacing the Heart of the Front
Carlos Allen and Eddie Walls were tone-setters on the defensive line this year - one dominating the run game, the other bringing pressure off the edge. Now both are gone, and with them go two of the most impactful defenders on the roster.
Khalil Laufau returns and brings back 649 of the 997 total returning snaps along the line. That’s a solid foundation, but the depth chart is filled with redshirt and true freshmen - eight in total.
There’s potential there, but it’s raw. Expect the Cougars to chase experienced linemen in the portal who can step in and produce immediately.
Running Back: Injuries, Talent, and a Freshman to Watch
The running back room might be the most intriguing on the roster. Houston returns just 225 snaps, with DJ Butler accounting for the lion’s share at 157. Re’Shaun Sanford is hoping to bounce back from another season-ending injury, while Ja’Marion Burnette also dealt with health issues this year.
Despite the uncertainty, there’s real talent here. And the incoming class includes 4-star recruit John Hebert, who could push for playing time early.
Last offseason, the staff added veteran Dean Connors to stabilize the room - and it paid off. Don’t be surprised if they go that route again, adding an experienced back to complement the young talent in the pipeline.
Offensive Production: Weigman’s Return Brings Stability - and Expectations
The biggest win of the early offseason? Quarterback Conner Weigman announcing he’s coming back. That gives the Cougars a proven leader under center and allows young QB Keisean Henderson to develop behind the scenes for another year.
Weigman’s return also boosts the chances of keeping star wideout Amare Thomas. Thomas was electric this season, racking up 906 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He’s the kind of player who draws attention - from both NFL scouts and opposing programs. Holding onto him would be a major victory.
But outside of Thomas, the receiving corps is getting gutted. Houston is losing 121 catches, 1,232 yards, and 10 touchdowns.
Half of that came from tight end Tanner Koziol alone. No other returning player had more than 10 catches or 200 yards.
That’s a production hole the size of a crater, and the Cougars will need to hit the portal for pass catchers - wideouts, tight ends, maybe even a hybrid or two - to keep the offense humming.
Three Portal Targets to Watch
The portal isn’t just about filling holes - it’s about finding fits. Relationships matter.
Past recruiting ties, coaching connections, and regional familiarity all come into play. Here are three names that could make sense for Houston this cycle:
Braylon Conley, CB, USC
A former Atascocita standout, Conley began his college career at USC, where he played under former Houston DC Doug Belk.
He logged 182 of his 201 snaps this season at outside corner and brings physicality in the run game - a trait this staff values highly. With three years of eligibility left, he could be a long-term piece in a secondary that desperately needs experience.
Ahmad Breaux, DL, LSU
Breaux hails from Louisiana and was a 3-star prospect out of Ruston High.
He had a prior connection with Willie Fritz, having attended a Junior Day at Tulane and receiving an offer shortly after. That kind of familiarity could help Houston make a move.
Breaux played in 24 games over two seasons at LSU and had seven pressures this year, mostly working in the B gap. He’d bring SEC-level experience to a line that’s lost its anchors.
Bryant Williams, OL, Louisiana
Williams is a mountain of a man - 6’7”, 335 pounds - and he’s got the résumé to match.
Over the past three seasons, he’s played in 35 games and logged 711 snaps in 2025 alone, all at left tackle. Most impressively, he didn’t allow a single sack on 346 drop-backs this year.
From Lake Charles, Williams has ties to Tulane and Louisiana, which could help Houston in the pitch. He has one year of eligibility left and would be an instant-impact addition at a position of critical need.
Final Thoughts
Houston’s roster is facing significant turnover, but that’s the new normal in college football. The Cougars have a clear blueprint: retain top-end talent like Weigman and Thomas, then aggressively fill gaps with proven portal players. The staff has shown it can evaluate well in the transfer market - now it’s about executing again in a pivotal offseason.
The Texas Bowl may be the final chapter of this season, but the next one is already being written in the portal. And for Houston, it’s going to be a busy - and important - January.