The portal is technically closed and most of the top players that entered have found new homes ahead of the spring semester. We’ll break down each of the 13 FBS portal classes across the state of Texas, continuing with the Houston Cougars. Willie Fritz's program improved from four wins in 2024 to 10 wins in 2025 and the incoming transfer portal class suggests that they'll compete for a spot in the Big 12 championship game in Year 3 of his tenure. 

Overview

Houston holds the eighth highest transfer portal index score for 2026 per On3 because the imported talent is better than the outgoing talent by a wide margin. A welcomed change after 2025 when the Cougars lost their best two defenders – S A.J. Haulcy and CB Jeremiah Wilson – to the portal minutes after the spring game. Head coach Willie Fritz provided proof of concept in Year 2 with a 10-win season and that’s helped raise the money to keep returning stars like WR Amare Thomas and DL Khalil Laufau while attracting more in the portal such as offensive linemen Anthony Boswell (Toledo) and Shadre Hurst (Tulane). 
Class Grade: A 

Three Key Additions

OL Anthony Boswell, Toledo: Boswell and Hurst both deserve mention here because the interior offensive line duo are the highest graded players in the Houston portal class. The Coogs lose most of its starting snaps along the trenches from last year, so landing those two provides easy answers at one guard spot and at center. Boswell was a first-team All-MAC selection at center for a Toledo squad that ranked first in the conference in scoring with over 30 points per game. He started his career at Purdue and still has three years of eligibility left. Hurst was an All-American Conference first team selection in 2025 at guard and was originally recruited by Fritz & Co.   

RB Makhi Hughes, Oregon: Speaking of guys who can’t wait to reunit with Fritz and OC Slade Nagle, Hughes arrives in Third Ward after a one-year stop at Oregon, where his previous production at Tulane didn’t carry over to the Ducks’ offense in 2025. Hughes ran for 1,378 yards as a freshman in 2023 and 1,401 as a sophomore in 2024 at Tulane. He scored 22 touchdowns over those two seasons. A bounce back year could unlock a Houston offense that returns QB Conner Weigman and WR Amare Thomas. 

S Javion White, Tulane: White is another Tulane export heading to Houston. The 6-foot, 180-pound safety started 14 games for a CFP team while registering 40 tackles, six PBUs, and three interceptions. He earned third-team All-American Conference honors after the season. The Coogs should be talented in the secondary once again under DC Austin Armstrong.  

Two Sleepers

CB Jalen Mayo, SFA: Mayo was an All-American and All-Texas selection in his lone season with SFA, helping the Jacks win the Southland Conference and advance into the third round of the FCS playoffs. The 6-foot-1, 184-pound Mayo started his career at Virginia Union and should slide into the starting spot left by Latrell McCutchin, who is entering the NFL draft. Mayo recorded 48 tackles, four interceptions, and nine pass breakups in 2025. 

TE Patrick Overmyer, UTSA: Overmyer is a former first-team freshman All-American who played in 26 games, including eight starts, over two seasons with the Roadrunners. He caught 27 passes for 344 yards and five touchdowns while splitting time with Houston Thomas, who transferred to Texas A&M after the season. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound incoming junior will be asked to replace the production of Tanner Koziol, who was Weigman’s favorite target, especially in the red zone. 

Transfer List

• QB Luke Carney, Syracuse 
• RB Makhi Hughes, Oregon 
• WR Trent Walker, Oregon State
• WR Muizz Tounkara, Florida
• TE Patrick Overmyer, UTSA 
• OL Shadre Hurst, Tulane 
• OL Anthony Boswell, Toledo 
• OL Drew Terrill, Maryland 
• OL Hayden Wright, Northwestern
• DE Ashton Porter, Oregon 
• DL De’Marion Thomas, Oklahoma State 
• LB Jaden Yates, Ole Miss 
• LB Miller Malone, Western Kentucky
• CB Jalen Mayo, SFA
• S Javion White, Tulane