Previewing Houston football’s 2026 season: An A-to-Z guide

Houston football’s Sept. 5 season-opener at TDECU Stadium against Oregon State is just days away.

While you count down the days until Saturday, here’s an A-to-Z guide, previewing the much-anticipated season:

A is for Amare

Houston’s Amare Thomas sits atop the depth chart in a loaded wide receiver room after opting to use his fourth year of eligibility. During the 2025 season, Thomas hauled in 966 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. He is included on the watch list for the 2026 Biletnikoff Award, an honor given to the nation’s best wide receiver. He has prioritized building chemistry with quarterback Conner Weigman ahead of the pair’s second year in Houston.

B is for Big 12 Championship 

For the first time in their four years as a member of the Big 12, the Cougars enter as contenders to not only play in the conference championship game on Dec. 4, but perhaps even win it–and punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff. 

Houston enters the season with the fourth-best betting odds to win the Big 12 Championship, at +1500, behind Utah (+800), BYU (+490) and Texas Tech (-105).

C is for College Football Playoff

Not only is Houston a contender for the Big 12 title, but it’s among those considered ‘dark horses’ for a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Both would ascend the program to new heights.

D is for Dimas

After not playing his first two years in the program, junior kicker Jonathan Dimas’ time may be coming.

The Houston native is the favorite for the starting kicker role, and has earned praise from coach Willie Fritz for his performance throughout fall camp.

“He’s done a really nice job,” Fritz said of Dimas, who has spent the last two seasons learning under kickers Jack Martin and Ethan Sanchez.

E is for Eligibility

Wide receiver Stephon Johnson and safety Myles Rowser have begun practicing with the team but are still awaiting final approval for their fifth year of eligibility. 

The two sought an additional year of eligibility as part of a class-action lawsuit challenging the NCAA’s new age-based eligibility rule, which excluded athletes from the high school class of 2022 from receiving a fifth year of eligibility.

Fritz said that due to the legal nature of the matter, compliance has a few more details to sort out in both cases, but he hopes it will be finalized by the end of the week.

“It’s a tricky process,” he said. “The last thing you want to do is declare somebody eligible and he’s not eligible. We’re waiting to make sure that’s completely and totally finalized.”

F is for Fritz

Despite Houston’s 4-8 record in coach Willie Fritz’s first year, the program’s identity was beginning to materialize, leading to a 10-3 turnaround campaign in 2025 capped off by a Texas Bowl win over LSU.

He’s no stranger to orchestrating turnarounds, having done so practically everywhere his coaching journey has taken him. 

The 2026 season will be his 34th as a head coach, and Fritz is still as eager as ever to get it underway. 

“I’m chomping at the bit just like the players are.”

G is for Gameday experience 

TDECU has expanded its concession lineup ahead of the 2026 season, with Ninfa’s Cantina, Absurd Bird, Space City Franks, Urbe and Gameday Lemonade headlining the enhanced offerings. Gamedays will also feature an in-venue DJ, fireworks and a new gathering and dining space in the Ultra Club. Shasta’s Kids Club will return, allowing the littlest Coogs in eighth grade and under to gain free merch and entry to select games when parents purchase a $35 membership.

H is for Hurst & Hughes

For senior running back Makhi Hughes and offensive lineman Shadre Hurst, Houston brought an old connection back together. The two are living together once again, just as they did at Tulane when they began their college careers under Fritz.

Last season, Hurst, who spent four seasons at Tulane, was recognized as the No. 9-graded offensive lineman in the nation by PFF.

In 2024, Hughes racked up 1,401 rushing yards with the Green Wave, the 10th-best mark in the nation. Ahead of the 2025 season, he transferred to Oregon, where he struggled to break into the rotation and redshirted. Now, he is hungry to make an impact in Houston.

The Hurst residence is one place to grab a bite if you are hungry and lucky enough to get an invite; his grilling earned plenty of praise from his teammates.

I is for Interceptions 

Houston recorded 12 interceptions in 2025, and returns junior cornerback Will James, whose three picks led the Cougars last season.

Throughout summer and fall camp, several players in the Cougars’ secondary have emphasized the importance of more takeaways and “finishing plays” this season.

Among those who have been vocal about it is senior safety Kentrell Webb, who is looking to add a few more picks to his resume after recording his first career interception last season to seal Houston’s road win over UCF.

J is for Jalen Mayo & Javion White

Two players who will aid Houston in its goal of more takeaways: Fifth-year cornerback Jalen Mayo and junior safety Javion White.

Mayo, a transfer from SFA, played against Houston last season in its home-opener, and recorded four interceptions on the season. His efforts in 2025 landed him an All-Southland Conference First-Team selection.

White arrives from Tulane, after having spent the previous two seasons with the program. He recorded four interceptions across 25 games, and was an All-AAC Third-Team selection.

K is for Keisean

True freshman quarterback Keisean Henderson, the top recruit in the class of 2026, decided to stay with his hometown Cougars after throwing for 3,821 yards and 45 touchdowns during his senior year at Legacy School of Sport Sciences.

He arrived on Campus prior to last year’s Texas Bowl as the highest-ranked commit in Houston history and has been working alongside Weigman. While Weigman will maintain the starting role, Henderson has been praised for his willingness to learn. Fritz plans to utilize him in some packages this season. 

L is for Leaders

Houston is one of the most experienced teams in college football, ranking fifth nationally with more than 32,000 snaps played and third with more than 480 starts across the roster.

The Cougars lead the Big 12 with six returning starters on each side of the ball, while the conference average is six returning starters overall.

On offense, Houston returns six players who started last season: Weigman, Thomas, junior wide receiver Koby Young, senior wide receiver Harvey Broussard, and senior offensive linemen Alvin Ebosele and McKenzie Agnello.

On defense, Houston returns six starters from last season: seniors Webb and Jordan Allen and junior James at defensive back, senior linebacker Sione Fotu, senior JACK Brandon Mack II and senior defensive lineman Khalil Laufau.

M is for Mack

Houston edge rusher Brandon Mack II returns for his eighth season of college football. Not fourth, fifth, but eighth.

How’d Mack get to eight? A traditional redshirt his freshman season, an additional eligibility year because of COVID-19 and two medical redshirts in 2021 and 2023.

Mack is one of the key returners on Houston’s defense, posting five sacks, six tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in 2025. This will be his fourth season with the Cougars.

N is for Nationally ranked

For the first time since 2022, Houston cracked the Associated Press preseason poll, entering the season at No. 23. It’s also the highest ranking for the Cougars since 2016. While Fritz sees it as valuable recognition of the program’s rise, he and Houston are aiming to be in it at the end of the season, too—and in a higher position.

O is for Overmyer 

Before arriving in Houston, senior tight end Patrick Overmyer spent three seasons at UTSA, where he totaled 58 receptions for 627 yards and eight touchdowns. The veteran now joins a Houston offense that has shown a willingness to feature the tight end position, having helped develop Tanner Koziol during his first Power Four season before he moved on to the NFL. Overmyer comes from an athletic family, with his mom and two sisters playing collegiate volleyball.

P is for Pass protection 

Weigman isn’t likely to rush for another 700 yards this season, and it’s not just because Houston added Hughes in the backfield. Weigman should have more opportunity in the pocket behind an improved offensive line, headlined by Hurst and two other transfers: center Anthony Boswell and tackle Drew Terrill. All three are experienced upperclassmen who have received honors in their respective conferences.

Q is for Quality 

A lot can change over the course of the season, but the Cougars have a chance to pick up some quality wins as things stand today. No. 23 Houston travels to No. 12 Texas Tech for its first conference game in week 3 and heads to No. 21 Utah in week 8.

R is for Running backs

Houston’s running backs room should be another beneficiary of its bolstered offensive line. It also adds Hughes, who rushed for 2,779 yards his first two seasons at Tulane. Outside of Hughes, junior running back Re’Shaun Sanford is fully healthy after missing all of 2025 due to injury. Houston also returns junior running back DJ Butler, who took on an increased role last season, totaling 301 yards.

S is for Saturdays

All six of Houston’s home games are on Saturday this season, compared to a total of four last year, when the first two home games were on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

The Cougars’ two Friday night games this season are Sept. 18 at Texas Tech and Colorado on Nov. 13.

T is for Texas heat

The heat is one reason more players will help carry the load early in the season with Fritz expecting to use 18-20 players on offense and “maybe a little more on defense.”

“It’s going to be hot Saturday,” Fritz said, referring to Houston’s opener, with feels-like temperatures expected to reach the mid-90s. “Early in the season, even though we ran all summer and scrimmaged a bunch and really worked on our stamina, playing a real game is a little different.”

U is for Undefeated on the road

Houston finished 6-0 on the road in 2025, a mark matched only by the 2021 and 2011 teams. The Cougars were also the only FBS team to finish with a 6-0 road record or better. To repeat last year’s success, Houston will have to do it against tougher competition: Texas Tech, the Big 12 favorite, and Utah, another conference contender.

V is for Victories

Victories were hard to come by Fritz’s first year in Houston, but in 2025 the Cougars soared to a 10-3 record, picking up their first bowl win since 2021. A once stagnant offense found its groove under offensive coordinator Slade Nagle, and defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong continued to solidify the defensive unit.

W is for Weigman

Where senior quarterback Conner Weigman goes, Houston goes. 

The Cypress native is coming off of 36 total touchdowns in 2025, as well as the healthiest season of his career, in which he started all 13 games for the Cougars.

Is his best being saved for last? With the talent around him offensively at every skill position, it’s certainly possible.

X is for X-ray

Though unlikely because of football’s physical demands, Houston’s looking to limit the number of X-rays this season.

Fritz considered it one of the healthier fall camps he’s had, with only a few players unavailable to practice and play in week one.

Y is for Yards

Last season, Houston came close to having both a 1,000+ yard receiver and rusher, with Amare Thomas (966) and Dean Connors (977) coming within 50 yards of the feat.

Thomas will once again be in contention, while Makhi Hughes boasts two 1,000+ rushing seasons from his time at Tulane.

Perhaps this is the year.

Z is for Zealous

Houston football looks to bring a zealous energy to the field every week of the 2026 season.

Sept. 5 — vs. Oregon State
Sept. 12 — vs. Southern
Sept. 18 — at Texas Tech
Sept. 26 — at Georgia Southern
Oct. 3 — vs. UCF
Oct. 10 — at Kansas State
Oct. 17 — vs. Oklahoma State
Oct. 24 — at Utah
Oct. 31 — BYE WEEK
Nov. 7 — vs. Cincinnati
Nov. 13 — at Colorado
Nov. 21 — at West Virginia
Nov. 28 — vs. Baylor