Roster Revamp has Third Ward hopeful for Fritz’s Year Two
BY Garrett Ross / garrettsross@gmail.com
Year two of the Willie Fritz era in Third Ward will be heavily reliant on transfers, and both sides of the ball are now under new leadership. Slade Nagel is taking over as offensive coordinator and Austin Armstrong as defensive coordinator.
Houston’s offense was terrible last season, finishing 133rd out of 134 FBS programs. The Coogs were the worst program in the Lone Star State in passing yards in 2024, averaging just 152.7 yards per game. Finding the endzone was almost impossible, as Houston scored just 20 touchdowns—tied with Florida State— while averaging 14 points per game.
Connor Weigman is now the starting quarterback after transferring in from Texas A&M, following a career marked with injuries and system changes. Weigman is looking for a fresh start in his home city, where he was a five-star prospect coming out of Bridgeland High School in Cypress.
Weigman will have to rely on a reshaped offensive line that is made up of five players added via the transfer portal: Alvin Ebosele, Dalton Merryman, Jason Brooks Jr., Matthew Wykoff and McKenzie Agnello.
The strength of the offense appears to be the backfield and the tight ends. It’s running back by committee in H-Town this season, with Stacy Sneed, Re’Shaun Sanford, J’Marion Burnette and Dean Conners all rotating through fall camp. Weigman has appeared to establish great chemistry with Ball State/Wisconsin transfer tight end Tanner Koziol.
Koziol is arguably the biggest addition to the roster in 2025. Prior to spending the spring on the Wisconsin roster, Koziol was the first tight end in Ball State history to eclipse both 80 receptions and 800 yards last season. He’s currently listed on the Biletnikoff and Johnny Mackey Award Preseason Watch List.
Weigman raved about Koziol during fall camp.
“Oh, I mean even when he’s not open, he’s open,” said Weigman. “If he has man coverage, you can put the ball up there, and he’s going to make a play for you. It’s really awesome to have him as a safety blanket; he’s going to make some big plays for us this season.”
The wide receiver room is void of any stars, but they do have some reliable playmakers. Amare Thomas, Harvey Broussard III, Kobe Young, Mekhi Mews and Stephon Johnson have all shown promise throughout camp, but no real consistency. Freshman receiving duo Jaquise Martin and Zaylen Cormier should have opportunities to shine this season as well.
If the Coogs’ defense is half as good in 2025 as it was in 2024, then going bowling this season is highly likely. The unit allowed just 22.9 points per game, 214 first downs and 134 10-plus yard plays last year.
Seven transfers have been added defensively, of which four were in the secondary. Cornerback Latrell McCutchin returns as the leader of the unit, while safety Kentrell Webb is emerging as a player to keep an eye on this season.
The linebackers consist of multiple transfers that hope to make an impact this season, too, as Jesus Machado, Richmond Ugochukwu and Sione Fotu have all made big plays during fall camp. Along the defensive front, Carlos Allen Jr., Eddie Walls III, Khalil Laufau and Latreveon McCutchin have been making life difficult for the offense.
Fotu and Laufau have been tabbed to the Polynesian Player of the Year Watch List. Fotu transferred in from Utah, where he played eight games for the Utes last season, accounting for 19 tackles, two pass breakups and one QB hurry. Laufau transferred in from Wazzu, where he tallied 16 tackles, five tackles for loss and four sacks last season.
Houston will open the season on Thursday, Aug. 28, at TDECU Stadium against SFA. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.