Makhi Hughes is already drawing national attention before he ever takes a snap for Houston.
The Cougars’ new running back landed on the Doak Walker Award watch list on August 18, a nod that puts him in the conversation for one of the sport’s top backs heading into the season. For Houston, it’s a sign that the player they added arrives with real production, not just promise.
Hughes’ résumé does the talking. After rushing for only 70 yards last year at Oregon, he exploded at Tulane in 2024 with 1,401 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.
That came after his first college season, when he piled up 1,378 yards and seven scores. In all, Hughes has 2,849 career rushing yards, which ranks second among active FBS running backs.
The recognition fits a player who has already been a major force. Hughes was a two-time All-AAC First Team selection and the 2024 American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year. He also helped lead Tulane to conference championship games in both 2023 and 2024.
Houston needs that kind of punch. With Dean Connors gone, the Cougars had a clear opening at running back, and while DJ Butler and Re'Shaun Sanford II are on the roster, neither has been established as the clear No. 1 option.
There’s also a built-in comfort level here. Hughes reunites with Willie Fritz, who coached at Tulane from 2016 to 2023 and oversaw the beginning of Hughes’ college career. Offensive coordinator Slade Nagle was also at Tulane in 2023, the season Hughes started playing college football.
That familiarity matters. Fritz already knows how Hughes runs, and that kind of head start can speed up the process once the season gets rolling.
The setup around him looks strong, too. Offensive lineman Shadre Hurst was named to the Lombardi Trophy watch list and was viewed by PFF as a top-10 guard in the country in 2025. Offensive lineman Anthony Boswell was named to the Rimington Trophy preseason watch list and was also considered one of the best at his position in the FBS in 2025.
With that line in front of him, Hughes has a real chance to put together another 1,000-yard season in Houston. The Cougars open on September 5 against Oregon State, and that will give fans their first look at how quickly Hughes can make the jump.
In Other News...
Conner Weigman Gives Houston Fans Reason To Exhale At Camp
Conner Weigman gave Houston a little more breathing room at camp when he returned to limited throwing after sitting out the previous two practice days. It was a small but meaningful step in his arm recovery, the kind of update that matters this time of year because every rep shapes the depth chart and the mood around the quarterback room. Elsewhere in practice, freshmen John Hebert and Jeremiah Bushnell have been getting attention, with Bushnell drawing notice among the receivers.
The Cougars also got a defensive flash when Quindario Lee picked off a pass in a live scrimmage, another reminder that camp is still offering chances for young players to make noise. On special teams, Jonathan Dimas has moved to the front of the placekicking competition, with coach Willie Fritz identifying him as the top option for now, a sign that Houston is starting to sort out some of the quieter battles before the season arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Conner Weigman May Have The Answer To Houstons Biggest Third-Down Issue
Houstons third-down work took a noticeable step forward in 2025, climbing to a 41.0% conversion rate, and theres a clear reason Trent Walker keeps coming up in the conversation. The receiver has already shown he can be a steady yardage producer, and his presence gives Conner Weigman a dependable option when drives start to tighten up and the offense needs a play to stay on schedule.
What makes Walker especially important is how much Houston still wants to clean up against the better defenses on its schedule. The Cougars were far more limited by Texas Tech and TCU, two games that showed how quickly third downs can become an issue when Weigman gets pushed out of rhythm, which is why Walkers role could wind up mattering as much as any schematic tweak. [Read more 🡒]
Houston's Receiver Strength Could Change Everything For Conner Weigman
Houston has given Conner Weigman a pretty clear message heading into the new season: the passing game is going to do more of the heavy lifting. With Amare Thomas and Trent Walker both landing on the Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list, the Cougars have a receiver room that looks capable of shaping the offense around them, and that matters for a quarterback still settling into his role as the centerpiece of the attack.
Offensive coordinator Slade Nagle and head coach Willie Fritz have both talked about using that talent to ease Weigmans rushing burden while helping him grow as a leader. For Houston, the appeal is obvious: if the ball is moving through its top targets more often, the offense can become more balanced and less dependent on its quarterback making plays with his legs. The bigger question is how quickly that plan takes hold once the games start. [Read more 🡒]