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The Houston Cougars football team started their spring practice this weekend, marking the first steps in preparing for the 2025 season. Over the next 34 days, the team will hold 15 practices and will compete in the annual Red-White game on Saturday, April 19, at the Carl Lewis International Complex.
“We’re focused on avoiding injuries at this stage,” said head coach Willie Fritz. “We want to improve our fundamentals and understand our scheme better. This also gives us a chance to evaluate the players.”
Returning Players and New Additions
The Cougars are welcoming back 77 players, with 30 new additions, including 21 transfers and nine early high school enrollees. Fritz is excited about the freshman class, saying, “We signed an excellent group. I’m impressed with these guys and looking forward to seeing those who couldn’t enroll early this May.”
Focusing on Offensive Improvement
Houston struggled offensively last season, ranking last in the Big 12. This offseason, improving the offense has been a major priority. To strengthen the offensive line, the team added five offensive linemen through the transfer portal.
“During Spring ball, we focus on giving the offensive line a starting position,” Fritz explained. “As we progress, we’ll move them around to ensure we’re playing our best five players.”
Quarterback Addition: Conner Weigman
The Cougars also added former Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman to their quarterback room. He will compete for the starting position with junior Zeon Chriss.
“Weigman is a great leader and already knows everyone’s name on the team,” Fritz said. “He’s played a lot of football, so the transition won’t overwhelm him.”
Weigman, who transferred to Houston in December, expressed his excitement. “It’s been great getting back with my teammates and learning a new offense. My main goal is to win the Big 12 Championship.”
Running Back Depth Strengthened
Houston also added depth to its running back position with former Rice running back Dean Connors. Connors rushed for 1,679 yards and 16 touchdowns at Rice, adding 113 receptions for 912 yards and six touchdowns.
“My running back room here is awesome, and they’ve welcomed me in well,” Connors said. “Our offense looks fantastic, and the portal has been great for us.”
Strong Defense with Added Talent
Houston’s defense ranked fourth in the Big 12 last season, and the team has added nine transfers to further strengthen it. Senior defensive back Latrell McCutchin Jr., a key leader for the defense, expressed excitement about the team’s progress. “We’re in a great place, and we’re the only ones who believe in us right now, which motivates us to keep pushing,” McCutchin Jr. said.
New Coordinators Join the Staff
This offseason, Houston also brought in two new coordinators: offensive coordinator Slade Nagle and defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong. Nagle, who worked with Fritz at Tulane, helped lead the team to a No. 16 national ranking and a victory in the Cotton Bowl. Armstrong, who recently joined from the University of Florida, looks to enhance the Cougars’ defense with the talent at his disposal.
With spring practices underway, the Cougars are focused on building a stronger offense and defense as they prepare for a big push in the Big 12 next season.
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