By Mark Pszonak
With action in the transfer portal slowing down, it is time to take a closer look at how each P4 school did during this cycle. Up now are the Houston Cougars
The skinny: New head coach Willie Fritz proved that he deserved a chance at the P4 level during his time with Tulane, but his immediate job at Houston is a difficult one. Finishing at 4-8 during their first season in the Big 12, which led to the firing of Dana Holgorsen, the Cougars are in the process of reloading most of their roster. This was not helped when major contributors like the defensive line duo of Jamaree Caldwell and Chidozie Nwankwo and the wide receiver duo of Matthew Golden and Sam Brown all transferred. Even with the availability of the portal, this won’t be an immediate fix for the Cougars.
Total # entries into portal: 43
Total # of scholarship players who entered portal: 30
Number of scholarship players who withdrew: 3
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Key losses: DL Jamaree Caldwell (Oregon), WR Matthew Golden (Texas), DL Chidozie Nwankwo (Colorado), DB Isaiah Hamilton (Ole Miss), WR Sam Brown (Miami-Florida), OL Tyler Johnson (Colorado)
Key additions: LB Christian Brathwaite (LSU), WR Mekhi Mews (Georgia), TE Maliq Carr (Michigan State), LB Corey Platt Jr. (Tulane), QB Zeon Chriss (Louisiana), LB Kendre Gant (Louisiana), DE Keith Cooper (Tulane)
Final thoughts: Lets start at quarterback, where Zeon Chriss has a realistic opportunity to supplant returning starter Donovan Smith, who missed the spring after labrum surgery. Smith should be back in July, but Chriss’ performance this spring made him a viable option as starter. At receiver, after the losses of both Golden and Brown, the addition of Mekhi Mews was very important. And not only on offense, but also on special teams, as he should slide into Golden’s role as a returner. Maliq Carr will be counted on to become an immediate contributor, as the Cougars installed a more tight end friendly offense this off-season. Coach Fritz will also be helped by some of his former Tulane players who followed him to Houston. Leading the way will be DE Keith Cooper and LB Corey Platt Jr. Platt is part of an intriguing new linebacking group along with Kendre Gant and Christian Brathwaite. There is always a chance that Houston surprises this season, but with so many moving parts it is difficult to see a major turnaround in 2024.
