Houston doesn’t lack for players who can turn heads, and the program has already done that with names like Conner Weigman and Amare Thomas. The next one to break through on a national level might be the new face in the backfield: Makhi Hughes.
Dean Connors was the engine there last season. He started all 13 games, piled up 977 rushing yards and finished fifth in the Big 12 in that category.
He also led Houston in rushing and helped push the Cougars to a 10-3 record in 2025. With his eligibility now exhausted, Houston has a clear opening at running back.
That departure matters, even if it doesn’t define the entire team. Houston moved quickly to address it by bringing in Hughes through the transfer portal.
Hughes arrives with a track record that stands out. At Tulane, he played in all 14 games in each of his two seasons and produced 2,779 rushing yards with 22 touchdowns. He added 30 catches for 243 receiving yards, showing he could do damage in more than one way.
There’s also a familiar connection here. Hughes previously played under Fritz before the coach’s final season in 2023, and that history may have helped bring him to Houston. Fritz also spoke about the portal at 2026 Big 12 Media Days, saying, "You wanna find guys that are going to fit your program."
Hughes’ stop at Oregon was brief. He played four games there, then chose to redshirt the rest of the season after rushing for 70 yards on 17 carries.
Even so, the résumé from Tulane is the real headline. Under Fritz in 2023, Hughes was the American Conference champion and Freshman All-American. He followed that by ranking 10th nationally in rushing in 2024 with 1,401 rushing yards.
If he brings anything close to that production to Houston, the Cougars may have found the player ready to inherit Connors’ workload and put his own name on a national stage.
In Other News...
Houston Faces Massive Recruiting Test With Elite Texas Back
The next big recruiting swing for Houston is coming from one of the most coveted backs in Texas. Landen Williams-Callis, a five-star running back recruit, is still weighing his options with a decision expected on Aug. 1, and the Cougars are in the mix with in-state competition from programs such as Texas A&M and SMU. For a Houston program trying to keep pace in a crowded recruiting race, landing a player of that caliber would say plenty about where the staff believes it can go next.
There is also a practical football angle here beyond the star rating. Houstons running back room has future openings, which gives the Cougars a legitimate pitch about playing time and development if Williams-Callis chooses them. Even if he would not be expected to carry the load right away, the timing works in Houstons favor, since he would have room to grow before being asked to make a major contribution. [Read more 🡒]
Houston Freshman Drawing Early Buzz In Crowded Playing Time Battle
Houstons 2026 freshman class arrives with enough pedigree to keep the conversation interesting, even before a snap is played. Headlined by five-star quarterback Keisean Henderson and backed by four-star additions Paris Melvin Jr., Jeremiah Bushnell and John Hebert, the group is ranked No. 43 nationally and No. 6 in the Big 12, giving the Cougars a class with both upside and immediate intrigue. Senior quarterback Conner Weigman is still expected to open as the starter, which means the path to early action at the top of the depth chart is narrow.
Paris Melvin Jr. may have the best chance to crack the rotation right away because of the way he can be used all over the field. His versatility gives Houston options on offense, defense and special teams, and that flexibility is exactly what can get a freshman on the field sooner than expected. In a crowded competition for playing time, he stands out as the newcomer whose role could grow fastest once camp decisions start to take shape. [Read more 🡒]