Willie Fritz enters his third season at Houston after a 10-3 campaign and a 2025 Texas Bowl victory. Slade Nagle returns as offensive coordinator, and Conner Weigman returns at quarterback for his senior season. Houston must replace leading rusher Dean Connors, while Re’Shaun Sanford returns after missing the 2025 season, and Oregon transfer Makhi Hughes joins the backfield. Houston returns two of its top five receiving producers from last season, Amare Thomas and Koby Young, after Tanner Koziol departs. Thomas returns after recording 67 receptions last season, while Oregon State transfer Trent Walker joins the receiving corps and UTSA transfer Patrick Overmyer joins the tight end group. Update (Oct. 13): TE Patrick Overmyer has emerged as a major weapon in Houston’s passing game. Overmyer caught four touchdown passes against Kansas State on October 10, tying the NCAA single-game record for a tight end. The offensive line returns full-time starters Alvin Ebosele and McKenzie Agnello after making 13 and 10 starts, respectively.
Austin Armstrong returns as defensive coordinator. Houston returns five of its top eleven tacklers from last season after losing its top two in Carlos Allen and Jalen Garner. Sione Fotu returns at linebacker, while Ole Miss transfer Jaden Yates joins the group. Khalil Laufau returns at defensive end, and Kentrell Webb, Jordan Allen, and Will James return in the secondary.
Chris Couch enters his second season as special teams coordinator. Florida transfer Evan Noel joins the program at placekicker, while Liam Dougherty returns at punter. Houston features new primary returners after Mekhi Mews’ departure, with Trent Walker and Jaquise Martin among the return options.
Houston enters 2026 with continuity at quarterback, two full-time starters returning along the offensive line, five of its top eleven tacklers returning on defense, and a stable special teams group. Overmyer’s emergence has provided another productive option in the passing game, complementing an experienced quarterback and a rebuilt running back room.