Cougars Kick Off Training Camp with Intensity, Depth, and a Renewed Mindset

The first week of training camp for the University of Houston Cougars football team is officially in the books, and one thing is clear—this is not the same team that finished at the bottom of nearly every offensive category in the Big 12 last season. 

With a full year and a successful offseason under his belt, Head Coach Willie Fritz has cultivated legitimate depth, fierce competition, and a clear vision for turning the program around.

From the opening day of camp, position battles have been heating up across the board, particularly on the offensive line and in the secondary. The team added five experienced offensive linemen via the transfer portal, each bringing FBS-level starting experience to a unit that desperately needed stability. 

That depth is being put to the test, as players fight for first-team reps in both 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.

At quarterback, SEC transfer Conner Weigman is living up to his billing as a major offseason acquisition. He’s taken strong control of the offense during early practices, but true to Fritz’s word, both Zeon Chriss and freshman Austin Carlisle is getting meaningful reps as well. 

This early rotation reflects Fritz’s strategy of evaluating all three quarterbacks before solidifying the depth chart.

On defense, senior cornerback Latrell McCutchin Sr. has emerged as a vocal leader for a unit adjusting to key losses in the secondary. He emphasized the team’s new mindset going into the 2025 season.

“I feel like there’s a lot of people that are doubting us, and we like that; we like that chip on our shoulder,” McCutchin said. “That’s a Third Ward mentality. Just being part of the team is something we’re all grateful for, and I feel like we’re going to shock the world.”

New coordinators, including offensive mind Slade Nagle, are also beginning to make their mark. Nagle’s influence is already visible with increased involvement from tight ends, particularly 6-foot-7 Ball State transfer Tanner Koziol, who’s becoming a reliable option across multiple formations.

As the Cougars head into week two of camp, the focus will shift toward chemistry, consistency, and clarity on who will rise to the top of the depth chart. One week in, and it’s clear: Houston’s rebuilding year is over. 

A new era has begun.