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What we learned from UH's spring football practices

Welcome to another edition of the Cougar Confidential, post-spring football edition.

With 15 practices in the books, the Cougars now pivot to the offseason, which includes the June reporting date for newcomers and conditioning program. The Cougars will open preseason camp sometime in late July.

Here are a few observations and intel from the spring:

Coach Willie Fritz, who has been a head coach for more than 30 years, told me recently this could be his best offensive line… ever. A top priority this offseason, the Cougars added three starters from the transfer portal — left guard Shadre Hurst (Tulane), center Anthony Boswell (Toledo) and right tackle Drew Terrill (Miami Ohio). The rest of the Cougars' projected starting lineup includes returners Alvin Ebosele at left tackle and McKenzie Agnello at right guard. “We made a lot of improvement on the O-line,” offensive line coach Eman Naghavi said. “We’re super athletic, super strong.” Hurst, who is getting some preseason All-American buzz, is the strongest player on the team with a 500-pound bench and 700-pound squat.
Paris Melvin Jr. lived up to the hype this spring as the Cougars explore possibly using him as a three-way player. A four-star recruit from Cy Springs, Melvin got reps at nickel and handled punt and kickoff returns. In the spring game, Melvin returned a fumble for a touchdown. “He’s really shown flashes of brilliance,” Fritz said. “He’s a dynamic player.” Melvin will see reps on offense in camp, primarily at running back and wide receiver.
All-Big 12 cornerback Will James missed the last two weeks of spring workouts with a severely sprained ankle but should be cleared in the next couple weeks, Fritz said.
The competition for the field-goal kicking job between Zac Yoakam, Jonathan Dimas and Florida transfer Evan Noel will carry over into the summer. Yoakam, who handled kickoffs last season, is the only kicker with college experience.
Fritz was complimentary of the tight end group, which he believes could be a strength area. That’s saying something with the loss of Tanner Koziol, one of the most productive tight ends in the nation the past two seasons. To fill the spot, UH added Patrick Overmyer, a transfer from UTSA who has NFL potential. He joins a group that includes returners Traville Frederick — who hauled in his first career touchdown in the Texas Bowl — Wyatt Herbel, Kaleb Thomas and Luke McGary. Thomas had the fourth-best pass block grade among Big 12 tight ends, according to Pro Football Focus, and Herbel played in only three games to preserve his redshirt. McGary missed half the season due to injury. “I think that position has a chance to be a strength of our team,” Fritz said.

Stay turned the next few months as I roll out stories previewing some of the players who are expected to be key contributors this season.

Joseph Duarte, University of Houston beat reporter

joseph.duarte@houstonchronicle.com

Looking Ahead

Close-Up Of Golf Ball On tee on a golf course - stock photo

Photo by: Jordi Salas/Getty Images

The UH women’s golf team competes at the Big 12 championships Thursday through Saturday at Dallas Athletic Club.

Both the men's and women's track and field teams will participate at the Penn Relays (Thursday through Saturday) in Philadelphia.

Quote of the Day

“

This is our team right here, this is our squad.

– UH coach Willie Fritz at the conclusion of spring football practice

”

The List

A breakdown by teams of UH players taken in the NFL draft:

12: Broncos
11: Oilers
10: Rams
9: 49ers, Lions, Steelers
8: Bears, Bengals
7: Bills, Browns, Cowboys, Dolphins, Eagles, Patriots
6: Cardinals, Giants, Jets, Packers, Saints
5: Chargers
4: Buccaneers, Falcons
3: Commanders, Raiders, Vikings
2: Jaguars, Ravens, Titans
1: Chiefs, Seahawks, Texans
0: Panthers

🏀 Cougar Mailbag

Send me your questions: Follow me on X, formerly Twitter, hit reply to this email or share your questions here to be a part of this week's mailbag. Ask me anything!

Q: Where would you rank UH football as a program in the Big 12?

JD: An argument can be made that the Cougars are among the top four to five Big 12 teams entering the 2026 season. Coming off a 10-win season, the Cougars are expected to be among the early favorites, along with defending champion Texas Tech, BYU and Utah.

Q: Has the school announced the Houston stops for the annual coaches' caravan? Any chance they come to Nashville? — Charles C.

JD: During May, UH’s statewide caravan — featuring football coach Willie Fritz. men’s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson and athletic director Eddie Nuñez — will make six stops in Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. There will be three stops in Houston — May 7 at Little Woodrow’s in Sugar Land; May 14 at Lewis Jewelers in Webster; and May 19 at the Downtown Aquarium. All three events begin at 6:30 p.m. Fans can RSVP at UHCougars.com. About Nashville, you’re out of luck, Charles. Isn’t that SEC territory?

Q: Was this the right time for Kingston Flemings to declare for the NBA draft, or would another year in college have significantly boosted his draft stock? — Kenny B.

JD: It’s hard to improve stock when you’re a projected top-10 pick. UH assistant coach Kellen Sampson said Flemings was “a pro when he signed … we just needed to refine him and make him to where he was ready to play in the NBA.” If there was ever a time for a one-and-done season at UH, this was it.