2023 Roster Reset
By: Jimmy Schofield
photo courtesy uhcougars.com
Going into his fifth season as the University of Houston head coach, Dana Holgorsen has had a busy off-season as the program heads into its first season in the Big12. He talked about it during a pre-spring ball press conference on February 27th, “We’ve built the coaching staff the right way. We’ve built the roster the right way. We’re working hard, which is our culture. Now it goes to football for the next five weeks (of spring ball). Then you hit the reset button and you figure out what your team looks like on June 1st.”
In the days of “yesteryear” (pre-October of 2018), college football rosters were relatively set just after the traditional signing day (the first Wednesday of each February). But thanks to the transfer portal, that’s all changed. The NCAA regulated two major portal openings this year, one in early December after the regular season completed that lasted a month and the second from late April to early May following the conclusion of spring ball. Per 247sports, this 2022-2023 transfer cycle shattered the record number of departures (3,252) seen within the FBS ranks during the 2021-22 transfer cycle.
“There’s no such thing as new guys with the world we live in today with the transfer portal,” Holgorsen said during that same late February presser. “New people will always be here. We have maybe 10 guys that have been here the entire time I’ve been here. We’re scheduled to have 20 more new guys join us in June and we’ve got to coach these new guys up in June and July heading into August because once we start playing ball nobody cares whether they’re new or not. They need to be able to function right and be productive.”
During a recent Scott & Holman Pawdcast Holgorsen said they were at 82 to 83 scholarships but were “still looking,” while also emphasizing that “75% of our roster has been recruited for the Big 12.”
With the portal closed until sometime in early December after the conclusion of the 2023 regular season, most college football program’s rosters appear set (graduate transfers are allowed to enter the portal whenever they want). With that we’ll look at the Cougars UNOFFICIAL (since the roster hasn’t been updated as of this writing) 85-man scholarship roster (by position), heading into their first season in the Big12.
Note Each position will be previewed much more in depth in position preview articles throughout the summer. Also, as far as class designations, I’ll list the student-athletes in their true class and will note them as a SS (Super Senior) if in their final extra year of eligibility (which was given by the NCAA due to the Covid pandemic in 2020).
Quarterback :
Departures : Clayton Tune (NFL), Holman Edwards (transfer)
Returnees: Lucas Coley (6-foot-1, 218 lbs., RSo.)
Additions : Donovan Smith (6-5, 241, RJr.) – transfer from Texas Tech, Caleb McMickel (6-1, 190), Ui Ale (6-0, 210, So.) – transfer from Golden West CC
Analysis : With Clayton Tune off to the NFL (drafted by the Arizona Cardinals), Holgorsen will have a new starting QB for the first time since the 2019 season. The battle between Smith and Coley will be fascinating to watch. Smith (three seasons of eligibility remaining) has eight starts under his belt (in 23 total games) the past two seasons at Texas Tech before deciding to transfer to UH on December 5th of last year. In those eight starts the Las Vegas native has averaged 271 yards-per-game on 24 completions. Coley transferred last April from Arkansas and started out as third string but worked his way to backing up Tune by midseason. For the year the San Antonio native completed all three of his passes for eight yards in just three games. Both were 3-star recruits per 247sports, as is McMickel, the true freshman out of Fellowship Christian in Roswell, Georgia (an Atlanta suburb). While Smith and Coley can make plays with their feet, McMickel is better as a pocket passer, though he can extend plays once forced to throw off-platform. He’s led the Paladins to deep state playoff runs in Georgia’s Class A Private classification due to a nice arm, nearly 16 yards per completion, and high accuracy (60 percent) as a two-year varsity starter. Holgorsen said he wants four QBs on scholarship as Ale committed in mid-May out of Golden West Junior College in Huntington Beach, California. Ale completed 54-percent of his passes (111 of 204) for 1,335 yards while passing for 12 touchdowns with 5 interceptions. The Carson, Ca native also rushed for 4 TDs while averaging nearly 10 rushing attempts per game.
What the coach’s said : “Those two (Smith and Coley) got more out of spring than anybody. They split reps 50/50. They both brought it everyday and attacked the day. They’re both gonna play (this year). In today’s time and age, you better have two to three ready to roll at that position.” – Dana Holgorsen
“Both will play. We’re really proud of the QBs day to day approach (during spring). We were really spoiled with Clayton (Tune), and Lucas and Donovan are two really bright individuals and they’re picking up things every day. It really gives you a new perspective on the offense when you have to teach it to someone new.” – first year offensive coordinator Mike Burchell
Running back
Departures: Alton McCaskill (trans), Ta’Zhawn Henry (grad)
Returnees: Brandon Campbell (5-10, 210, RSo.), Stacy Sneed (5-11, 185, RJr.), Kelan Walker (5-11, 228, SS)
Arrivals: Tony Mathis (5-11, 207, RSr.) – transfer from West Virginia, Parker Jenkins (5-10, 185, Fr.), Re’Shaun Sanford (5-7, 165, Fr.)
Analysis: The big blow to Mike Jinks room came when McCaskill decided to transfer to Colorado in mid-May, taking his nearly 1,000 yards and 5 yards-per-carry to Boulder (though he was coming off an ACL tear that kept him out of the 2022 season). The unit is deep however as both Campbell and Sneed had a combined 936 yards on 166 carries for a 5.6 ypc average. Jenkins (a 4-star per 247sports out of Klein Forrest) and Sanford (Harker Heights) both add track type speed while Mathis is a cagy veteran who brings 31 games of experience (with 11 starts) and nearly 1,000 yards from his four seasons in Morgantown. Walker is a big back at nearly 230 pounds who is returning for his super senior season. The DeSoto product has played in only 35 games over his first 5 seasons due mainly to injury.
What the coach’s said: “ Coach Jinks did a great job adding to the room. Campbell was out for the spring due to shoulder surgery, but he’ll be back in the summer. We had Sneed and Walker in the spring and will add the two freshmen in the summer (Jenkins and Sanford). I didn’t know they had track speed like that but you can tell they have good football speed.” – Holgorsen
Wide receiver
Departures: Tank Dell (NFL), KeSean Carter (grad), Cody Jackson (trans), CJ Guidry (trans), Ja’Kori Morgan (trans), Khiyon Wafer (trans)
Returnees: Mathew Golden (6-0, 190, So.), Samuel Brown (6-2, 195, RJr.), Joseph Manjack (6-3, 202, Jr.), Peyton Sawyer (5-11, 175, SS), CJ Nelson (5-11, 175, RFr.)
Arrivals: Joshua Cobbs (6-4, 204, RJr.) – transfer from Wyoming, Stephon Johnson (6-0, 182, So.) – transfer from Ok. St., Ja’koby Banks (5-9, 175, Fr.), Jonah Wilson (6-2, 195, Fr.), Mikal Harrison-Pilot (6-0, 190, Fr.), Ja’Ryan Wallace (6-3, 185, Fr.)
Analysis: Even with Tank Dell taking his nearly 3,000 career receiving yards down Kirby Ave to the Texans, this is still the deepest unit on the team (though the DL may have something to say about that). Golden, Brown and Manjack are all returning starters that have over a combined 1,200 yards on 94 receptions. Johnson and Cobbs bring experience from Wyoming and Oklahoma State respectively while Banks was turning heads during Spring ball imitating Dell with shifty like moves from the slot. And all that’s not even counting Harrison-Pilot and Wilson, two 4-star signees that are among the most publicized recruits ever signed at the position.
What the coach’s said: “Who’s gonna be the guy? I don’t know. I don’t think that there’s gonna be A guy in that room. That room is shaping up to be one of the most talented rooms I’ve ever coached. Mathew Golden looks great. He looks like he could be the ‘next one.’ Joseph Manjack had a great spring. He’s gonna be a force. Samuel Brown had a great spring. Peyton Sawyer had a good spring. ‘Boogie’ (Stephon) Johnson (three seasons of eligibility remaining) flashed. He’s got ‘change the game’ type stuff. Joshua Cobbs (two seasons of eligibility remaining) is big and is gonna get better and better. Ja’koby Banks and CJ Nelson are two young guys that got a lot of reps. We’re adding three high school guys, two of which are the highest we’ve ever recruited. We’ve added them for competition. All those guys are gonna have to work hard and compete for starting and playing time in general.” – Holgorsen post spring
Tight End
Departures: Christian Trahan (grad)
Returnees: Matt Byrnes (6-6, 250, RJr.), Logan Compton (6-4, 245, RSr.), Bryan Henry (6-2, 240, So.)
Arrivals: Matt O’Laughlin (6-5, 255, SS) – transfer from West Virginia
Analysis: While Trahan was the unit leader and best in terms of receiving, this position is deep and loaded with big, strong dudes. Byrnes, Compton and O’Laughlin are all in-line types that are preferred in the run block and pass protection game while Henry, Trent McGaughey, and Darson Herman (all preferred walk-ons) are nearly as big and are hybrids that can line up in the slot.
What the coach’s said: “We got better there. Matt Byrnes got better. He got through all 15 practices. He’s had injury issues but was good, solid and improved. Bryan Henry flashed. He can run and he can pop you. He’s up to 250 pounds and looks good. Logan Compton got a lot of reps. Mike O’Laughlin brings 1200 reps in the Big 12. That’s big. We’ve just got to get him to September as he’s had lots of injury issues as well. That room is shaping up to have more depth than it’s had in a long time, and we’re gonna use them. Those guys are critical when it comes to scheming up runs and getting movement coming off the ball. Coach (Corby) Meekins does a great job with those guys.” – Holgorsen post spring.
Offensive Line
Departures: Cam’Ron Johnson (trans), Lance Robinson (trans), Derek Bowman (trans), Ugonna Nnanna (trans), Joshua Atkins (trans), Trevonte Sylvester (trans), Chase Todd (trans), Carson Walker (trans), Almarion Crim (trans)
Returnees: Patrick Paul (6-7, 315, RSr.), Tyler Johnson (6-5, 320, RSr.), Tank Jenkins (6-3, 320, SS), Jack Freeman (6-3, 300, SS), Ruben Unije (6-5, 320, SS), Jalen Garth (6-5, 305, RJr.), Demetrius “Pancake” Hunter (6-2, 300, RFr.), Karson Jones (6-4, 305, RFr.), Tevin Shaw (6-4, 310, RFr.)
Arrivals: Shamar Hobdy-Lee (6’6, 285, RSr.) – transfer from Florida International, Max Banes (6-5, 310, SS) – transfer from Akron, Peyton Dunn (6-7, 312, RJr.) – transfer from Louisiana Monroe, David Ndukwe (6-6, 305, RJr.) – transfer from Western Kentucky, Cayden Bowie (6-3, 290, Fr.)
Analysis: This room was hit biggest by the transfer portal as you can see above, but four starters still return led by Paul at left tackle. The two guard spots should be filled by two returning starters along the interior in Johnson and Jenkins. Freeman is a team leader and a multiyear starter who returns at center. Right tackle should be taken by either Unije or Garth (a transfer from Texas who was ineligible to play last year). Pancake didn’t play any last year but has impressed during spring as a former 4-star signee at center. Banes and Dunn bring experience as they both started at Akron and Louisiana Monroe, respectively. Ndukwe is considered a project after playing mainly along the defensive line at Western Kentucky. Bowie was a 4-star recruit early in his career until a knee injury sidelined him for a year at Port Arthur-Memorial.
What the coach’s said: “Our emphasis was run blocking and physicality. We were worn out towards the end because we only had 10 of them so that’s why we didn’t do as many team drills as normal. This was a new way of doing some things, with a new line coach, Eman Naghavi, and they’ve embraced it and they know it’s going to make them better. We have six guys who have started but need to add more bodies. Patrick Paul and Jack Freeman stepped up. Tank had a really good spring. Rueben has been playing as good as he’s been since he’s been here. Pancake had a really good spring. We’re happy with what he did. Karson Jones and Tevin Shaw are young kids who really stepped up.” – Holgorsen post spring
Defensive Line
Departures: Derek Parish (NFL), D’Anthony Jones (NFL), Atlias Bell (grad), Latrell Bankston (grad), Jamykal Neal (grad), Rafael Szymanski (trans)
Returnees: Chidozie Nwankwo (5-11, 295, Sr.), Amipeleasi Fifita (6-6, 310, RJr.), Jamaree Caldwell (6-1, 325, RJr.), Sedrick Williams (6-1, 285, SS.), Anthony Holmes Jr. (6-2, 295, RFr.), Nelson Ceaser (6-3, 250, RSr.), Garfield Lawrence (6-4, 245, RSo.), Justin Beadles (6-5, 260, RJr.), Zykeius “Zeus” Strong (6-6, 265, RJr.), Nadame Tucker (6-3, 250, RJr.)
Arrivals: Jalen Hunt (6-4, 320, RSr.) – transfer from Mich St, Brandon Mack (6-3, 250, RSr.) – transfer from Ole Miss, David Ugwoegbu (6-4, 250, GSr.) – transfer from OU, Torren Coppage-El (6-4, 240, RSo) – transfer from Arkansas State, Taleeq Robins (6-2, 305, RSo.) Justin Benton (6-1, 280, Fr.) – transfer from Northeast Miss CC
Analysis: Along with the WR room, this is the deepest position unit on the team with several veterans returning from both last year’s team and the transfer portal. DL coach Brian Early has a unit that can go a legit 3-deep at each position along the line. Nwankwo and Williams lineup at nose and the “3 tech” DT spot. With the departures of Parish and Jones to the NFL, the two defensive end spots are up for grabs, but my money would be on Ceaser and Oklahoma transfer David Ugwoegbu chasing opposing QBs down from the outside. Zykeius Strong is another name to look for at the strong side DE spot with his huge frame able to stop the run game.
What the coach’s said: “We lost good production at (defensive) end. We need guys to step up at the position. Ugwoegbu is versatile and plays hard. He has a motor that I haven’t seen. He’s played 2,700 snaps at OU, but he wants to be a rush guy so we’re happy to have him. Coach Early is pretty good at coaching technique in the pass game. Ceaser is another of our veterans that had a good spring. He’s another guy that has the frame that can move around a little bit. Can move in space. He can rush off the edge but also drop in coverage. Both of those guys are gonna be a problem to deal with when it comes to IDing whether they’re blitzing or dropping. Zeus (Strong) is another different looking human being. He’s physical and can run.” – Holgorsen pre and post spring
Linebacker
Departures: Donovan Mutin (NFL), Mannie Nunnery (trans)
Returnees: Jamaal Morris (6-2, 225, RSr.), Trimarcus Cheeks (6-2, 230, Sr.), Hasaan Hypolite (5-11, 215, SS), Treylin Payne (6-0, 205, So.), Malik Robinson (6-0, 230, SS), Jalen Garner (6-1, 225, RSo.), Aaron Willis (6-1, 220, RSo.)
Arrivals: Aubrey Smith (6-3, 225, So.) – transfer from Colorado, Chris Pearson (6-2, 200, Fr.)
Analysis: The top two tacklers are no longer on the roster (Mutin and Nunnery) which leaves competition for a lot of players for only two spots. Second year LB coach Archie McDaniel has a lot of versatile, experienced and young talent to mold together into a unit that can tie in both the front end (DL) and the back (secondary). Malik Robinson seemed to be gaining his footing early last season until a knee injury sidelined him three games into what could have been a promising year. Moving Hypolite to a different position for his final season of eligibility signifies the coaching staff has a lot of trust in his abilities and leadership and want to get him on the field somehow. Experienced veterans return led by Morris and Cheeks (the units top returning tacklers) that will combine with talented youth in hard hitters such as Payne, Garner, and Willis. The portal brought in a 4-star ranked player in Smith. There are a lot of unknowns about this unit but a lot of potential and promise as well, if the coaching staff can mesh it all together.
What the coach’s said: “(Treylin) Payne showed a lot of promise as a true freshman last season. He was out this spring with shoulder (surgery). (Hasaan) Hypolite is moving from boundary safety to linebacker like we did previously with Deontay Anderson. He’s getting bigger and we wanted to move him closer to the line of scrimmage. But there’s too many guys to mention. We gotta coach them and they gotta compete and we’ll see how it shakes out from there.” – Holgorsen post spring
Secondary
Departures: Gervarrius Owens (NFL), Art Green (NFL), Jayce Rogers (grad), Thabo Mwaniki (grad), Abdul Lateef Audu (trans), Demarcus Taylor-Griffin (trans), Mark Wilson (trans),
Returnees: Alex Hogan (5-11, 190, RSr.), Moses Alexander (6-3, 195, RJr.), Justice Ugo (6-2, 194, RSo.), Jalen Emery (5-9, 175, RSo.), Dorian Friend (5-9, 175, RFr.), Antonio Brooks (5-11, 200, SS), Mike Welch (5-10, 195, RJr.)
Arrivals: Adari Haulcy (5-11, 220, So.) – transfer from New Mexico, Isaiah Hamilton (6-1, 167, RJr.) – transfer from Tx Southern, Brian George (6-2, 195, RSr.) – transfer from Texas A&M, Juwon Gaston (5-11, 187, RSr.) – transfer from NE Miss CC, Malik Fleming (5-10, 184, GTr.) – transfer from East Carolina, Jamaal Shaw (6-1, 180, Fr.), Johnsley Barbas (5-11, 165, Fr.), Jalyn Sanford (5-11, 185, Fr.)
Analysis: Although the secondary has quite a few experienced players, most of them are from other programs who transferred in at different times this year. Alex Hogan, Jalen Emery and Antonio Brooks are the only three returnees bringing back any major playing experience at cornerback, nickel and safety respectively. Adari Haulcy was a baller as an in the box safety at New Mexico his freshman season last year as were Isaiah Hamilton (Tx Southern) and Malik Fleming (East Carolina) at cornerback.
What the coach’s said: Coach Holgorsen wasn’t asked much about the secondary in either his pre and post spring media sessions, but he did mention he was eager to see how much Jalen Emery will progress this season. One thing that has me worried about the secondary in general however is what QB Donovan Smith said about his wide receivers during spring ball, “They’ve all been balling. It was our first or second padded practice and I noticed how our wide receivers just got open. They’re all shifty and can get open against any coverage.” While this may be good for the WR unit, and I’m sure it’s just ‘coach speak’ in general, it doesn’t make me feel confident about defensive coordinator Doug Belk’s secondary. But as mentioned earlier, both the cornerback and safety groups have plenty of talent. Like with the linebacking core it’s just about getting them to mesh on the field as a cohesive unit.
Special Teams
Departures: Bubba Baxa (graduation), Kyle Ramsey (graduation, concentration on grad school), Trevor Helburg (transfer)
Returnees: Laine Wilkins (6-2, 210, Sr.)
Arrivals: Jack Martin (6-0, 190, RJr.) – transfer from Alabama
Analysis: With Baxa, Ramsey and Helburg all leaving, the only kicker on the roster is Martin, a transfer out of Alabama who has one field goal to his name over the last two seasons at Tuscaloosa. The Dothan, Alabama native is a more experienced place kicker however as he had 23 touchbacks at Troy University in 2019. Wilkins returns for his fourth year as the starting punter with 32 career games in which the Perth, Australia native has averaged 42.2 yards-per-punt in 123 career punts. Wilkins has pinned 48 of those 123 inside the opponent’s 20-yard lines. Though not on scholarship, Gavin Gately (6-5, 250, SS) returns for his final season at long snapper. The telling sign about the Milwaukie, Oregon native is that he hasn’t allowed a block on a punt, field goal or extra point in nearly 300 career snaps. As far as return duties go, with both Dell and Rogers gone, the only returning players with experience in the kickoff and punt return games are Peyton Sawyer and Mathew Golden, but a lot of the true freshmen will also probably get looks in special teams coordinator Mark Scott’s unit as well.
What the coach’s said: Coach Holgorsen wasn’t asked a special teams question during either of his spring ball pressers but he did mention that Jack Martin did look good.
Stay logged into Coogfans.com as we start our summer position preview series next week starting with the defensive line.