Houston is about to shift from fall camp into Week 1 prep, and the Cougars don’t have much time left before their season opener against Oregon State on Sept. 5 at TDECU Stadium. After a month of work, the biggest thing camp seemed to confirm is that this team comes into 2026 with more certainty than Houston has had in recent years.
That starts at quarterback with Conner Weigman. The senior is in a different spot now than he’s been at any point in his career, with the same offensive coordinator in Slade Nagle and a healthy offseason behind him for the first time in college.
That stability has clearly paid off. Weigman has sharpened his body, and his arm strength has taken a noticeable step forward.
The ball had more zip on it all camp, and that kind of improvement could open up more explosive plays for Houston.
If Weigman was the headline, Koby Young was probably the breakout name. The redshirt sophomore made a strong case throughout camp that he’s ready for a bigger role, showing off the kind of big-play ability Houston needs on the outside.
He came down with tough contested grabs and looked like a receiver who can stretch a defense. Sophomore Jaquise Martin also stood out as another young target for Weigman.
Houston also got a boost from Stephon Johnson, who returned for his fifth season after the latest court ruling made him eligible for another year. His presence brought energy back to the group, and he was part of a camp that had fewer obvious battles than usual because of the experience already on hand and the additions from the transfer portal.
One of the few spots still worth watching was kicker. Redshirt sophomore Jonathan Dimas worked with the first team, and the Houston native appears to be in line for the job. With Houston aiming to contend in the Big 12, that decision matters.
Up front, the offensive line looked like one of the clearest offseason upgrades. Houston added three transfers, including preseason All-American left guard Shadre Hurst from Tulane.
The Cougars also brought in All-Mac redshirt sophomore center Anthony Boswell and senior right tackle Drew Terrill. The first group is set, but camp still gave a look at the second unit, where sophomore left tackle RJ Lee, freshmen right guard Noah Abebe and center Aaron Wolford, and sophomore tackle Hayden Wright all got attention.
Defensively, the secondary looked every bit as seasoned as expected. Senior transfer corner Jalen Mayo from Stephen F.
Austin handled the cornerback spot opposite preseason All-Big 12 member Will James, while junior defensive back Javion White, another Tulane transfer, also made an impression. At safety, seniors Kentrell Webb and Jordan Allen rounded out a group that gave Houston plenty of experience and stability on the back end.
In Other News...
Houston Is Turning TDECU Into A Bigger Game Day Event
Houston is trying to make TDECU Stadium feel like more than just a place to watch football this fall. Houston Athletics has rolled out new Coogs Unlimited VIP game-day experiences for home games, giving fans a chance to get closer to the action with pregame runouts, stadium tours, mascot interactions and other extras priced from $50 to $200.
The broader plan is to turn the entire Saturday routine into more of an event. Along with the new fan packages, Houston is adding a DJ, pyrotechnics, a relocated student section and expanded food and tailgating options as it looks to create a louder, busier atmosphere around the program. The biggest question now is how much all of those changes will actually change the feel once the games begin. [Read more 🡒]
Willie Fritz Has Houston Facing A Very Different Kind Of Pressure
Willie Fritz has spent two seasons turning Houston from a 4-8 team into one coming off a 10-win campaign and a Texas Bowl victory, and now the conversation around the program has shifted in a hurry. After the jump forward in his third season, the Cougars enter 2026 with a more familiar kind of attention - the kind that comes with expectations, not just progress - and with Conner Weigman and Amare Thomas among the pieces at the heart of the offense.
A preseason No. 23 ranking is a sign of how far Houston has come, but it also means there is less room for the kind of quiet buildup Fritz used to reshape the roster and staff. The Cougars have kept the continuity that matters most, with all three coordinators back and the defensive and offensive numbers improved across the board, so the question is no longer whether Houston belongs in the conversation. It is how long the Cougars can stay there when the season starts and the spotlight gets a little brighter. [Read more 🡒]
Willie Fritz Has Houston Facing Its Biggest Opportunity Yet
Willie Fritz enters his third season in Houston with something every college program spends years trying to assemble: continuity. The Cougars bring back their head coach, both coordinators and their starting quarterback, giving this team a rare level of stability as it tries to turn promise into something much bigger in the Big 12. For a program looking to move from contender talk to actual contention, that kind of returnee core matters.
Conner Weigman gives Houston a proven place to start on offense, and Makhi Hughes is expected to be one of the key pieces behind him as the Cougars chase a breakthrough year. The ceiling is easy to see from here, with the Big 12 title picture and even a first trip to the College Football Playoff in the conversation, but the margin for error is thin. Health, execution and the week-to-week grind will decide whether Houston can turn this rare setup into the kind of season that changes the program's place in the league. [Read more 🡒]