(QB Donovan Smith – Getty Images)
Key Players Returning:
QB Donovan Smith, RB Parker Jenkins, WR Joseph Manjack IV, OG Tank Jenkins, OT Shamar Hobdy-Lee, DT Anthony Holmes, LB Jamal Morris, FS AJ Haulcy, and PK Jack Martin.
Key Players Departing:
WR Sam Brown (Miami, FL transfer), WR/KR Matthew Golden, OC Jack Freeman, OG Max Banes, OT Patrick Paul (Dolphins R3), DE Nelson Ceaser, DT Jamaree Calwell, NT Chidozie Nwankwo (Colorado transfer), LB Malik Robinson, LB David Ugwoegbu, CB/PR Malik Fleming, CB Brian George, CB Isaiah Hamilton (Ole Miss transfer), BS Hasaan Hypolite, and PT Laine Wilkins.
(LB Corey Platt Jr. – AP Photo)
Top 10 Recruits:
4 Star Recruits: LB Corey Platt Jr. (Tulane transfer), ATH Jayshon Ridgle (Athens, Alabama), and J’Marion Burnette (Andalusia, Alabama).
3 Star Recruits: TE Maliq Carr (Michigan State transfer), LB Kendre Gant (Louisiana transfer), DS Maurice Williams Jr. (Pearland, Texas), LB Christian Brathwaite (LSU transfer), QB Zeon Chriss (Louisiana transfer), CB Jeremiah Wilson (Syracuse transfer), and DS Hershey McLaurin (West Virginia transfer).
2023 Results:
G01 UTSA W 17-14
G02 @ Rice L (2OT) 41-43
G03 TCU L 13-36
G04 SAM HOUSTON W 38-7
G05 @ Texas Tech L 28-49
G06 WEST VIRGINIA W 41-39
G07 #8 TEXAS L 24-31
G08 @ Kansas State L 0-41
G09 @ Baylor W (OT) 25-24
G10 CINCINNATI L 14-24
G11 #23 OKLAHOMA STATE L 30-43
G12 @ UCF L 13-27
Misc. Team Information:
2023 Record: 4-8 (11th in Big XII)
Home: 3-4
Away: 1-4
Neutral: 0-0
B12: 2-7
Non-AAC: 2-1
Head Coach: Willie Fritz
Houston: 0-0
Career: 200-116
Bowls: 4-1
(WR Joseph Manjack IV – Getty Images)
Returning Statistical Leaders
Passing: Donovan Smith (256-397, 2801 yards, 64.5%., 7.1 avg., 22 TD, 13 INT)
Rushing: Parker Jenkins (99 car., 464 yards, 4.7 avg., 3 TD)
Receiving: Joseph Manjack IV (46 rec., 577 yards, 12.5 avg., 6 TD)
TDs Scored: Donovan Smith (7)
Sacks: Anthony Holmes Jr. (2.5)
Tackles: AJ Haulcy (98)
Tackles For Loss: Anthony Holmes Jr. (4.5)
Interceptions: None
Pass Deflections: Jamal Morris (5)
Forced Fumbles: AJ Haulcy/Joseph Manjack IV/Jamal Morris (1)
Kick Returns: Parker Jenkins (8 ret., 140 yards, 17.5 avg., 0 TD)
Punt Returns: Joseph Manjack IV (1 ret., 7 ret., 7.0 avg., 0 TD)
Kicking: Jack Martin (8-14 fg/fga., 57%, 34-34 xp/xpa., 58 pts.).
Punting: None
Projected Offense Starters:
QB: 1 Donovan Smith (RS SR/TR)
RB: 23 Parker Jenkins (SO)
WR: 14 Marquis Shoulders (RS JR/TR)
WR: 12 Stephon Johnson (JR/TR)
WR: 0 Joseph Manjack IV (SR/TR)
TE: 6 Maliq Carr (RS SR/TR)
LT: 77 David Ndukwe (RS JR/TR)
LG: 65 Cayden Bowie (RS FR)
OC: 59 Demetrius Hunter (RS SO)
RG: 72 Tank Jenkins (RS SR/TR)
RT: 58 Shamar Hobdy-Lee (RS SR/TR)
KR: 83 Mekhi Mews (RS JR/TR)
PK: 41 Jack Martin (RS SR/TR)
Projected Defensive Starters:
DE: 5 Keith Cooper (SR/TR)
NT: 93 Xavier Stillman (JR/TR)
DT: 18 Anthony Holmes Jr. (RS SO)
DE: 13 Brandon Mack (RS SR/TR)
LB: 44 Michael Batton (SR/TR)
LB: 25 Jamal Morris (RS SR/TR)
NB: 15 Hershey McLaurin (SR/TR)
CB: 17 Kriston Davis (SR/TR)
CB: 31 Latrell McCutchin Sr. (RS JR/TR)
FS: 24 Adari Haulcy (JR/TR)
SS: 2 Bryan Massey (GR/TR)
PR: 83 Mekhi Mews (RS JR/TR)
PT: 91 Liam Dougherty (FR)
(FS AJ Haulcy – 247Sports)
Team Grades:
Offense
Quarterbacks: A
Running Backs: C
Wide Receivers: C
Offensive Line: C
Defense
Defensive Line: C
Linebackers: B
Secondary: B
Special Teams
Kick Returners: A
Punt Returners: A
Kickers: D
Punting: C
Schedule:
08/31 UNLV REBELS | Houston leads the series 3-0. The Cougars won (47-14) the last meeting between schools in 2014.
09/07 @ Oklahoma Sooners | Houston trails the series 1-3. The Cougars lost (31-49) the last meeting between schools in 2019, and their only series win (33-23) was in 2016.
09/14 RICE OWLS | Houston leads the series 33-12. The Cougars are 4-1 since restarting the series in 2017, and their last series win (34-27) was in 2022.
09/21 @ Cincinnati Bearcats | Houston leads the series 15-14. The Cougars are 5-2 since 2014, and their last series win (40-16) was in 2016.
09/28 IOWA STATE CYCLONES | First meeting between schools.
10/04 @ TCU Horned Frogs | The series is tied 13-13. Last season’s 13-36 loss was the first meeting between schools since 2007.
10/19 @ Kansas Jayhawks | Houston trails the series 0-4. The Cougars lost (30-48) the last meeting between schools in 2022.
10/26 UTAH UTES | Houston leads the series 4-0. The Cougars won (42-25) the last meeting between schools in 1979.
11/02 KANSAS STATE WILDCATS | Last season’s 0-41 loss was the first meeting between schools.
11/15 @ Arizona Wildcats | Houston leads the series 3-1. The Cougars won (45-18) the last meeting between schools in 2018.
11/23 BAYLOR BEARS | The series is tied 14-14-1. Last season’s 25-24 win was the first meeting between schools since 1995.
11/30 @ BYU Cougars | Houston trails the series 0-3. The Cougars lost (26-43) the last meeting between schools in 2020.
Predictions:
Home: 3-3
Road: 1-5
Neutral: 0-0
B12: 3-6
Non-B12: 1-2
Overall: 4-8 (13th in Big XII)
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