Houston Cougars
Big 12
10-3 (6-3 conf)
SP+ #40AP #22
Ratings
2025
- SP+
- 7.4 (#40)
- SP+ Offense
- 31.5
- SP+ Defense
- 23.0
- SRS
- 6.3
- FPI
- 4.4
- Elo
- 1512
- Talent
- 657
- Recruiting
- 199 (#52)
Schedule
record 10–3
Schedule
83rd
toughest of 136
Offenses faced
102nd
toughest of 136
Defenses faced
73rd
toughest of 136
Strength of schedule — how tough this team's opponents are, ranked 1 (hardest) to 136 (easiest) · 1 FCS game.
| Wk | Opponent | SP+ | Score | Margin | Res |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | vsStephen F. Austin | FCS | 27-0 | +27 | W |
| 2 | @Rice | -14.8 | 35-9 | +26 | W |
| 3 | vsColorado | -8.3 | 36-20 | +16 | W |
| 5 | @Oregon State | -15.9 | 27-24 | +3 | W |
| 6 | vsTexas Tech | +27.6 | 11-35 | -24 | L |
| 7 | @Oklahoma State | -15.1 | 39-17 | +22 | W |
| 8 | vsArizona | +12 | 31-28 | +3 | W |
| 9 | @Arizona State | +3.9 | 24-16 | +8 | W |
| 10 | vsWest Virginia | -6.8 | 35-45 | -10 | L |
| 11 | @UCF | -1.2 | 30-27 | +3 | W |
| 13 | vsTCU | +8.3 | 14-17 | -3 | L |
| 14 | @Baylor | +1.4 | 31-24 | +7 | W |
| 1 ·P | NLSU | +10.3 | 38-35 | +3 | W |
Quarterbacks · 5
2025 · 111
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | 1st | Conner Weigman | JR | 6'3" | 210 | ★★★★★ |
| QB | 2nd | Zeon Chriss | JR | 6'3" | 210 | ★★★ |
| QB | 3rd | Austin Carlisle | FR | 5'10" | 190 | — |
| QB | — | Jake Sock | JR | 6'2" | 190 | — |
| QB | — | Indiana Wijay | SO | 6'4" | 200 | ★★★ |
Running Backs · 10
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RB | 1st | Dean Connors | SR | 6'0" | 206 | — |
| RB | 2nd | DJ Butler | SO | 6'0" | 190 | — |
| RB | 3rd | Stacy Sneed | SR | 5'11" | 185 | — |
| RB | 4th | J'Marion Burnette | SO | 6'2" | 225 | ★★★★ |
| RB | 5th | JayShon Ridgle | SO | 6'0" | 197 | ★★★ |
| RB | 6th | Zane Smith | FR | 5'9" | 235 | — |
| RB | — | Re'Shaun Sanford II | SO | 5'9" | 190 | ★★★ |
| RB | — | Nehemiah Warmate | FR | 6'0" | 190 | — |
| RB | — | Aaron Davis | FR | 5'11" | 180 | — |
| RB | — | Steve Polk | FR | 5'11" | 210 | — |
Wide Receivers · 15
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR | 1st | Amare Thomas | JR | 6'0" | 205 | — |
| WR | 2nd | Mekhi Mews | SR | 5'8" | 185 | — |
| WR | 3rd | Stephon Johnson | SR | 6'2" | 190 | — |
| WR | 4th | Koby Young | FR | 6'0" | 180 | ★★★ |
| WR | 5th | Harvey Broussard III | JR | 6'3" | 185 | ★★★ |
| WR | 6th | Jaquise Martin | FR | 5'10" | 180 | — |
| WR | — | Devan Williams | JR | 6'1" | 190 | ★★★ |
| WR | — | Marquis Shoulders | JR | 5'10" | 170 | ★★★ |
| WR | — | Dylan Gayton | FR | 5'10" | 150 | — |
| WR | — | Dylan Caddle | JR | 5'10" | 165 | — |
| WR | — | Hunter Teichman | SO | 6'1" | 175 | — |
| WR | — | Jeffrey Strozier Jr. | SO | 5'6" | 160 | — |
| WR | — | Anthony Gangi Jr. | SR | 5'10" | 180 | — |
| WR | — | Zaylen Cormier | FR | 5'11" | 190 | — |
| WR | — | Samuel Padgitt | SO | 6'2" | 195 | — |
Tight Ends · 8
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TE | 1st | Tanner Koziol | SR | 6'7" | 240 | ★★ |
| TE | 2nd | Luke McGary | JR | 6'4" | 250 | — |
| TE | — | Jayden York | SR | 6'4" | 245 | — |
| TE | — | Kaleb Thomas | FR | 6'4" | 250 | ★★★ |
| TE | — | Brock Foster | FR | 6'5" | 250 | — |
| TE | — | Traville Frederick Jr. | SO | 6'3" | 240 | — |
| TE | — | Wyatt Herbel | FR | 6'3" | 210 | ★★★ |
| TE | — | Jacory Thurman | FR | 6'4" | 240 | ★★★ |
Offensive Line · 17
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OL | — | Derek Joiner | FR | 6'3" | 305 | ★★★ |
| OL | — | Ronnell McLain | FR | 6'4" | 310 | ★★★ |
| OL | — | Demetris Dean II | FR | 6'4" | 300 | ★★★★ |
| OL | — | Demetrius Hunter | JR | 6'2" | 310 | ★★★ |
| OL | — | Ricardo Cordova | FR | 6'0" | 270 | — |
| OL | — | Cayden Bowie | FR | 6'4" | 325 | ★★★ |
| OL | — | McKenzie Agnello | JR | 6'4" | 314 | — |
| OL | — | Hingano Hautau | SR | 6'6" | 325 | — |
| OL | — | Sean Terrell | FR | 6'5" | 280 | ★★★ |
| OL | — | Larry Crawford | SO | 6'5" | 300 | — |
| OL | — | RJ Lee | FR | 6'8" | 335 | ★★★ |
| OL | — | Jason Brooks Jr. | SR | 6'4" | 315 | — |
| OL | — | Matthew Wykoff | SR | 6'6" | 325 | ★★★ |
| OL | — | Dalton Merryman | SR | 6'9" | 305 | — |
| OL | — | Cedric Melton | SR | 6'5" | 290 | ★★★ |
| OL | — | David Ndukwe | SR | 6'6" | 325 | — |
| OL | — | Alvin Ebosele | JR | 6'6" | 312 | — |
Defensive Line · 17
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL | 1st | Carlos Allen Jr. | SR | 6'1" | 295 | — |
| DL | 2nd | Eddie Walls III | SR | 6'4" | 250 | — |
| DL | 3rd | Khalil Laufau | JR | 6'3" | 300 | ★★★ |
| DL | 4th | Darius Washington | FR | 6'6" | 265 | — |
| DL | 5th | Zavian Tibbs | JR | 6'1" | 275 | — |
| DL | 6th | Myles Parker | SO | 6'0" | 335 | — |
| DL | 7th | Travis Buhake | FR | 6'2" | 265 | ★★★★ |
| DL | 8th | Reshad Sterling | FR | 6'3" | 250 | ★★★ |
| DL | 9th | Chance Bryant | FR | 6'2" | 255 | ★★★ |
| DL | 10th | Xavier Stillman | SR | 6'3" | 310 | — |
| DL | — | DK Mays | FR | 6'4" | 250 | — |
| DL | — | Hunter Jones | SO | 6'2" | 280 | ★★★ |
| DL | — | Phillips Ojo | FR | 6'4" | 240 | — |
| DL | — | Carmello Brooks | FR | 6'3" | 275 | — |
| DL | — | Eythan Thompson | FR | 6'3" | 310 | — |
| DL | — | Everitt Rogers | SR | 6'2" | 300 | ★★★ |
| DL | — | Quindario Lee | SR | 6'5" | 285 | — |
Linebackers · 15
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LB | 1st | Jalen Garner | SR | 6'1" | 225 | — |
| LB | 2nd | Sione Fotu | JR | 6'0" | 226 | — |
| LB | 3rd | Corey Platt Jr. | SO | 6'2" | 215 | ★★★ |
| LB | 4th | Latreveon McCutchin | JR | 6'3" | 245 | — |
| LB | 5th | Brandon Mack II | JR | 6'4" | 245 | — |
| LB | 6th | Carmycah Glass | SO | 6'4" | 230 | — |
| LB | 7th | Jesus Machado | SR | 6'1" | 220 | — |
| LB | 8th | Christian Brathwaite | FR | 6'2" | 220 | ★★★ |
| LB | — | Richmond Ugochukwu | FR | 6'1" | 220 | — |
| LB | — | Tristan Jackson | FR | 6'0" | 200 | ★★★ |
| LB | — | Sheldon Rice | FR | 6'3" | 250 | — |
| LB | — | Caleb Augustus | FR | 6'3" | 215 | — |
| LB | — | Grayson Boeker | FR | 6'3" | 220 | — |
| LB | — | Zion Taylor | FR | 6'2" | 235 | ★★★ |
| LB | — | Cavan Tuley | JR | 6'2" | 255 | — |
Defensive Backs · 16
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DB | 1st | Kentrell Webb | JR | 5'11" | 185 | ★★★ |
| DB | 2nd | Wrook Brown | SR | 5'11" | 190 | ★★★ |
| DB | 3rd | Latrell McCutchin Sr. | SR | 6'1" | 185 | ★★★★ |
| DB | 4th | Jordan Allen | SO | 5'11" | 200 | ★★★ |
| DB | 5th | Will James | SO | 6'0" | 185 | ★★★ |
| DB | 6th | Marc Stampley II | SR | 5'11" | 185 | ★★★ |
| DB | 7th | Blake Thompson | SR | 6'1" | 195 | — |
| DB | 8th | Zelmar Vedder | SR | 6'3" | 195 | — |
| DB | 9th | C.J. Douglas | JR | 5'11" | 200 | — |
| DB | 10th | Johnsley Barbas | SO | 5'11" | 185 | — |
| DB | 11th | Keany Parks | JR | 6'1" | 180 | ★★★ |
| DB | 12th | Jamaal Shaw | SO | 6'1" | 200 | — |
| DB | 13th | Alvin Williamson Jr. | FR | 6'0" | 200 | ★★★ |
| DB | — | JD Rhym | JR | 6'2" | 190 | ★★★★ |
| DB | — | Kenzy West | FR | 6'0" | 185 | — |
| DB | — | Elijah Young | SO | 5'10" | 175 | — |
Special Teams · 8
| Pos | Depth | Player | Cl | Ht | Wt | ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LS | — | Anthony Saragusa | FR | 6'2" | 265 | — |
| LS | — | Jacob Garza | SR | 6'2" | 215 | — |
| LS | — | Weston Edwards | FR | 6'2" | 215 | — |
| P | 1st | Liam Dougherty | SO | 6'2" | 205 | — |
| P | — | Jack Raney | SO | 6'3" | 210 | — |
| PK | 1st | Ethan Sanchez | SR | 5'9" | 192 | — |
| PK | 2nd | Zac Yoakam | SR | 5'8" | 195 | — |
| PK | — | Jonathan Dimas | FR | 5'10" | 185 | — |
2025 · pct vs FBS
SP+ Off
31.568
Off PPA
+0.1129
Pass PPA
+0.3271
Rush PPA
-0.036
Success
42%42
Explosive
1.2243
PlayerMedian (50th)percentile vs league
SP+ Trend
points vs avg team
— Overall— Offense— Defense
SP+ = opponent-adjusted points vs an average team. Overall & Offense higher = better; Defense lower = better.
Advanced
2025 · opponent-adjusted PPA / play
| Split | Offense | Defense |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | +0.11 | +0.11 |
| Passing | +0.32 | +0.22 |
| Rushing | -0.03 | +0.05 |
| 1st Down | -0.01 | -0.06 |
| 2nd Down | +0.07 | +0.07 |
| 3rd Down | +0.37 | +0.39 |
Scoring Trend
2025 · pts/game
PPG For
28.3
PPG Against
21.8
Differential
+6.5
— Points for— Points against
dots: W / LResults
2025
- Overall
- 9-3
- Home
- 3-3
- Away
- 6-0
- Conference
- 6-3
- Non-Conference
- 3-0
- One-Score (≤8)
- 5-1
- Avg Margin
- +6.5
Situational Splits
2025 · record · pts
| Split | Record | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venue | |||
| Home | 3-3 | 25.7 | 24.2 |
| Away | 6-0 | 31.0 | 19.5 |
| Neutral | 1-0 | 38.0 | 35.0 |
| Competition | |||
| vs Ranked (SP+ 25) | 0-1 | 11.0 | 35.0 |
| Conference | 6-3 | 27.9 | 25.4 |
| Non-conference | 4-0 | 31.8 | 17.0 |
Season History · last 12
0 AP top-10 · 9 postseason
| Season | Record | Conf | SP+ | AP | Post |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9-3 | 6-3 | #40 | #22 | 1-0 |
| 2024 | 4-8 | 3-6 | #101 | — | — |
| 2023 | 4-8 | 2-7 | #94 | — | — |
| 2022 | 7-5 | 5-3 | #57 | #24 | 1-0 |
| 2021 | 11-2 | 8-1 | #31 | #16 | 1-0 |
| 2020 | 3-4 | 3-3 | #51 | — | 0-1 |
| 2019 | 4-8 | 2-6 | #82 | — | — |
| 2018 | 8-4 | 5-3 | #64 | — | 0-1 |
| 2017 | 7-4 | 5-3 | #43 | — | 0-1 |
| 2016 | 9-3 | 5-3 | #39 | — | 0-1 |
| 2015 | 12-1 | 8-1 | #53 | — | 1-0 |
| 2014 | 7-5 | 5-3 | #56 | — | 1-0 |
Recent Form · last 5
3-2 SU · 2-2 ATS · O2/U2
Betting Profile
2025 · 12 w/ line
| Straight up | 10-3 |
| ATS | 8-467% |
| Over / Under | 7-5 O-U |
| — ATS splits — | |
| As favorite | 4-2 |
| As underdog | 4-2 |
| Home | 3-3 |
| Away | 5-1 |
vs closing line · splits show cover–no cover
Recruiting Classes
avg #66 · 11 blue-chip
■ 5★■ 4★■ 3★107 rated signees
| Class | Natl | Pts | 5★ | 4★ | 3★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #52 | 199 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| 2024 | #60 | 184 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| 2023 | #55 | 192 | 0 | 3 | 8 |
| 2022 | #50 | 188 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| 2021 | #81 | 153 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2020 | #82 | 155 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2019 | #72 | 165 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2018 | #73 | 167 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| 2017 | #69 | 160 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 2016 | #36 | 202 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
247Sports composite · class rank vs all FBS
Roster Talent
talent #66
Returning prod 105%Departed -5%
Portal in 28net +0Out 28
Talent composite656.7 #66 / 134
Portal avg stars (in / out)3.1 / 3.1
Returning usage (pass / rush / rec)100 / 96 / 98
Notable Portal Moves
| ▲ | Tanner Koziol | TE | 4★ | ← Wisconsin |
| ▲ | Conner Weigman | QB | 4★ | ← Texas A&M |
| ▲ | Zelmar Vedder | CB | 3★ | ← Sacramento State |
| ▲ | Eddie Walls III | EDGE | 3★ | ← Florida International |
| ▼ | Jerry Wilson | CB | 4★ | → Florida State |
| ▼ | A.J. Haulcy | S | 4★ | → LSU |
| ▼ | Nadame Tucker | EDGE | 3★ | → Western Michigan |
| ▼ | Keionte Scott | CB | 3★ | → Miami |
returning PPA · portal · talent composite · 2025
Injury Report · 0
No injuries reported.
Team News
20 items
- Houston QB Conner Weigman Turns Heads at Manning Passing AcademyHouston's senior quarterback had a standout performance at the 2026 Manning Passing Academy, and he is set for another big season with the Cougars.
- What Wins and What Loses the Game for Houston vs UtahHere is what wins and loses the game for Houston against Utah.HOU1d
- How This Freshman WR Can Change The Game for Houston Next SeasonCould this receiver really impact Houston's WR room?HOU2d
- 5 Utah Players Houston Fans Need to Know For 2026 MatchupHere are 5 Utah players that fans need to watch out for.HOU2d
- Trap Game or Tune-Up? A Look at Utah on Houston's 2026 ScheduleWhere does Utah rank in Houston's 2026 schedule?HOU3d
- Willie Fritz Embraces Houston's Expectations in Suddenly Wide Open Big 12The Cougars return the core of a 10-win team. With spring practice in the rearview and fall fast approaching, Fritz spoke with Athlon Sports about his 2026 team.HOU4d
- Houston vs Utah: The Matchups That Will Decide The GameHere are all the matchups that will determine the game.HOU4d
- What Utah Does Better Than Houston And Why It MattersHere's what Utah does better than Houston and why it will impact the game.HOU5d
- LSU QB Peyton Houston reaffirms commitment after another visitThe Tigers continue to make an impression on the young signal-caller.HOU5d
- Why Houston Football Could Have the Big 12's Best Offensive LineWhy is this group the greatest in the Big 12?HOU5d
- Breaking Down Utah's Strengths, Weaknesses, & 1 Thing That Could Upset HoustonHere is Utah's strengths, weaknesses and one thing that could upset Houston.HOU6d
- How Dangerous Could Utah Be for Houston This Season?How dangerous are the Utes for the Houston Cougars next season?HOU6d
- Houston Football Preview 2026: The Cougars Are Good Enough to Win the Big 12Houston took a few years to get up to speed in the Big 12. Now Willie Fritz has a team capable of making a run at the conference title.HOU6d
- One Defensive Player That Could Be The Backbone for HoustonWhy this one player is the backbone for Houston's defense.HOU6d
- Why Latreveon McCutchin Is A Wild Card For the Houston DefenseWhat makes Latreveon McCutchin a wildcard at the JACK position?
- Houston Has a Star That Nobody Is Talking About EnoughHouston football has an underrated player who will be a household name by the end of the 2026 season.HOU7d
- Where LSU football QB commit Peyton Houston sits in latest rankingsLSU football's 2027 recruiting class is one of the best in the country. Here's where elite QB commit Peyton Houston stands in the latest rankings.HOU8d
- WR Gary Burney Jr. flips from Houston to LSULSU flips in state WR from Willie Fritz and the Houston CougarsHOU8d
- LSU Flips Key 2027 Offensive Recruit Away From HoustonHouston football lost another talented wide receiver commit in the 2027 recruiting class.HOU8d
- LSU, Lane Kiffin add new weapon in flip from HoustonLSU football secured a massive recruiting flip on Father's Day, as Lane Kiffin and company flipped this Houston target.HOU8d