As the third and final day of the NFL draft wraps up, any 2025 Cougar drafted or signed will be added below throughout the days following its culmination.
Tanner Koziol selected by Jacksonville Jaguars
Houston football’s 2025 All-Big 12 first-team tight end, Tanner Koziol, will begin his professional career with the Jacksonville Jaguars after being selected 164th overall in the NFL Draft’s fifth round.
He becomes the first Houston tight end to be drafted since Fendi Onobun in 2010, who was selected by the then-St. Louis Rams with the first pick of the sixth round.
In his lone season with the Cougars, Koziol tallied 727 receiving yards, alongside a Big 12 conference-leading 74 receptions while starting all 13 games.
His 2025 campaign follows a breakout season in which he totaled 839 receiving yards and 94 receptions for Ball State, where he spent the first three years of his career.
Dean Connors signs with Los Angeles Rams as UDFA
Another key transfer behind Houston’s 2025 turnaround, running back Dean Connors signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent Saturday evening, minutes after the draft’s culmination.
Connors set numerous career-highs with the Cougars this past season, totaling 977 rushing yards and averaging 75.2 yards per carry. He finished with 1,231 yards from scrimmage.
He spent the previous three seasons at Rice, while beginning his career at Riverside Community College.
Latrell McCutchin Sr. signs with Tennessee Titans as UDFA
Latrell McCutchin Sr. joins former Houston teammate Koziol as members of the AFC South division, signing with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent.
The Austin, Texas native played his last two seasons at Houston, where he started all 25 games played at cornerback.
McCutchin saw a career year in 2025, where he led the Cougars with 10 pass breakups, helping him earn All-Big 12 Second Team honors.
Carlos Allen Jr. signs with hometown Atlanta Falcons
Carlos Allen Jr.’s two seasons at Houston were the first time he had been away from home.
He now gets his homecoming, signing with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent.
“I’m coming home,” Allen said on X.
In 2025, Allen started a single-season high 13 games on the defensive line, recording 34 stops which led all Big 12 interior defensive linemen. His senior campaign earned him All-Big 12 Second Team honors.
Zelmar Vedder signs with Kansas City Chiefs
Houston cornerback Zelmar Vedder signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday evening, joining McCutchin as Cougar cornerbacks to sign in undrafted free agency.
In his lone season with Houston, Vedder posted five multi-tackle games and recorded seven pass breakups across his 13 games played.
Eddie Walls III joins Connors on Los Angeles Rams
Houston defensive lineman Eddie Walls III will sign with the Los Angeles Rams, it was announced Saturday evening.
Walls’ seven sacks in 2025 led the Cougars, recording at least one sack in five games. His three sacks against Arizona State on October 25 tied the program record in a Big 12 game.
He started all 13 games last season, while earning All-Big 12 Second Team honors.
Mekhi Mews gets camp invite with New Orleans Saints
Houston wide receiver Mekhi Mews received a camp invite from the New Orleans Saints on Sunday evening.
Mews spent two seasons with the Cougars and served as the primary kickoff and punt returner across the 13 games in 2025. In 2024, Mews led Houston with his 607 all-purpose yards, while leading in punt return yards as well with 132.
He previously spent 2021-23 with Georgia, where he became a two-time national champion.
Marc Stampley II receives camp invite from Seattle Seahawks
Houston defensive back Marc Stampley II joined Mews as Cougars to receive camp invites on Sunday, as the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks extended the offer.
Stampley was one of four Cougars in 2025 to record a multi-interception game. He totaled a season-high eight tackles in a loss to Texas Tech on Oct. 4.
Ethan Sanchez receives camp invite from San Francisco 49ers
Houston kicker Ethan Sanchez received a mini camp invite from the San Francisco 49ers on Monday afternoon, it was announced by the program.
As a senior, Sanchez nailed 21 field goals, placing him second in UH history for a single season.
His three game-winning field goals with under three minutes in regulation or overtime tied the Big 12 conference record.
Dalton Merryman gets two camp invites from Seahawks, Browns
Shortly after Sanchez received his camp invites, Houston offensive lineman Dalton Merryman was offered a pair, from the Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns.
Merryman started in 12 games with the Cougars last season, with all of his action coming at right tackle. Across 429 snaps in 2025, he allowed just four sacks, while never surrendering multiple in a game.
Stephon Johnson receives camp invite with New York Giants
“I just need that one opportunity. I’m ready I swear,” Houston wide receiver Stephon Johnson said Saturday on X following the NFL draft.
He gets his opportunity with the New York Giants, who extended a mini camp invite to Johnson on Monday evening.
Johnson’s 2025 season was limited to six games after he went down with a Lisfranc injury suffered against Oklahoma State in October.
His career-high of 117 receiving yards came against Colorado in September, where Houston won 36-20 at home.
This article will be updated with more signings or invites as they occur
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