Offense
The quarterback room is led by Conner Weigman, who had a career year last season. He threw for 2,705 yards and 25 touchdowns, while rushing for 700 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has complete command of this offense. 5-star freshman Keisean Henderson will see some action, but his time will come in 2027.
The running back room will be led by Oregon transfer Makhi Hughes. He rushed for nearly 3,000 yards in two seasons at Tulane under Willie Fritz. Re’Shaun Sanford II returns from injury. He started six games in 2024. DJ Butler has also seen action.
The wide receiver room returns experience in Amare Thomas, Harvey Broussard III, Koby Young, and Zane Smith, among others. Thomas had 12 touchdowns, nearly 1,000 receiving yards, and was 1st Team All-Big 12 last season. The additions of Tyson Turner (Texas Tech), Trent Walker (Oregon State), Muizz Tounkara (Florida), and tight end Patrick Overmyer (UTSA) are massive.
The offensive line room returns some experience in Alvin Ebosele, McKenzie Agnello, and Larry Crawford. The additions of Anthony Boswell (Toledo), Shadre Hurst (Tulane), Hayden Wright (Northwestern), and Drew Terrill (Miami OH) are absolutely massive for this unit.
Defense
The defensive line room returns experience in Khalil Laufau, Myles Parker, and Quindario Lee, among others. The additions of Ashton Porter (Oregon), De’Marion Thomas (Oklahoma State), and Ejiroghene Egodogbare (Yale) are massive for this unit. The Coogs have plenty to replace but did well in the transfer portal.
The linebacker room returns experience in Brandon Mack II, Sione Fotu, Latreveon McCutchin, Christian Brathwaite, and Carmycah Glass, among others. The additions of Jaden Yates (Ole Miss) and Miller Malone (Western Kentucky) are massive. Mack can be a force off the edge. He had five sacks last season.
The secondary will be the strength of the defense. The return of Will James (All-Big 12), Jordan Allen, Kentrell Webb, JD Rhym, CJ Douglass, and Johnsley Barbas, among others. The additions of Jalen Mayo (Stephen F Austin), Javion White (Tulane), and 4-star true freshman Paris Melvin Jr. are massive.
Specialists
Punter Liam Dougherty returns after having a career year last season. Kicking duties will see a battle between Florida transfer Jonathan Dimas, Zac Yookam, or the No 1 kicker in the class of 2026, Evan Noel.
2026 Schedule
- 9/5 Oregon State
- 9/12 Southern
- 9/18 at Texas Tech
- 9/26 at Georgia Southern
- 10/3 UCF
- 10/10 at Kansas State
- 10/17 Oklahoma State
- 10/24 at Utah
- 11/7 Cincinnati
- 11/13 at Colorado
- 11/21 at West Virginia
- 11/28 Baylor
Final Analysis
Willie Fritz is a program builder, and Year 3 could be a special year for the Cougars. All the pieces are in place. If Weigman can continue to control this offense, don’t be surprised if the Cougars play for a Big 12 Title. Expectations will be high for a preseason Top 25 team.
