Houston Cougars Add Two Game-Changing Weapons On Offense In Transfer Portal

Willie Fritz is building a contender in the Big 12 for the 2026 college football season thanks to a promising transfer portal period for the University of Houston.

Fresh off a 10-3 season, the Cougars added six players over the past 72 hours in the transfer portal to stabilize the offense, including former All-AAC running back Makhi Hughes. A former star under Fritz in New Orleans, Hughes explodeded onto the college football lanscape during his time with the Green Wave, finishing top 10 in rushing with 1,378 yards in 2023 and 1,401 yards in 2024.

He averaged 5.7 yards per play and scored 22 touchdowns in two seasons before transferring to Oregon. Hughes elected to redshirt to save a year of eligibility after playing in just three games with the Ducks. He's expected to be the new top runner in place of the departed Dean Conners.

The Cougars also bolstered their offensive line, adding interior offensive line Shadre Hurst (Tulane), right tackle Drew Terrill (Miami Ohio), offensive lineman Hayden Wright (Northwestern) and center Anthony Boswell (Toledo).

Houston also picked up the commitment of veteran wideout Trent Walker from Oregon State. Walker, who's totaled over 1,700 receiving yards and nearly 150 catches in two years, was the No. 1 wide receiver for the Beavers in 2025, totaling 68 catches for 823 yards and two touchdowns.

SportsTalk790 Cole Thompson breaks down all the recent moves below.