University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Add Two Signees, Announce New Roster Additions
2/1/2023 2:21:00 PM | Football
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Houston adds 11 in total including nine mid-year players
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Football program welcomed two signees and announced nine mid-year roster additions as part of National Signing Day presented by Ford, head coach Dana Holgorsen revealed Wednesday.
Wide receiver Mikal Harrison-Pilot and defensive back Juwon Gaston will join the program for the Cougars' inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference. As part of Tuesday's schedule release, Houston will welcome league foes TCU (Sept. 16), West Virginia (Oct. 12), Texas (Oct. 21), Cincinnati (Nov. 11) and Oklahoma State (Nov. 18) to TDECU Stadium during the 2023 season in addition to home non-conference matchups against UTSA (Sept. 2) and Sam Houston (Sept. 23).
The group joins the 16 student-athletes Houston inked during the Early Signing Period in December.
Juwon Gaston – DB
Northeast Mississippi Community College / Carver High School (Montgomery, Ala.)
5-11 / 187
Prior to Houston: Spent 2022 season at Northeast Mississippi Community College … played nine games, logging 53.0 tackles including 33 solo stops … added five pass breakups and a pair of interceptions with one forced fumble … logged 5+ tackles on six occasions … chose Houston over UTSA, Jacksonville State, South Alabama and Troy among others.
High School: Scored six touchdowns, three on returns, as a senior for Coach James Thompson and the Carver High Wolverines … also recorded 54 tackles, four interceptions … Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … Montgomery Advertiser all-metro … rated among the top 25 overall prospects in Alabama by 24/7 and ESPN …. also, a basketball letterman helping the Wolverines to the 2019 Class 6A title game.
Mikal Harrison-Pilot – WR
Temple High School (Temple, Texas)
6-0 / 190
High School: Four-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals … fourth highest-rated recruit to sign at Houston (247Sports) … nation's No. 135 overall player and No. 25 overall player in state of Texas … three-sport athlete at Temple (football, baseball and track) … invited to compete in U.S. Army All-American Bowl, nation's premier high school event… as a senior, he hauled in 48 catches for 978 yards and 14 touchdowns alongside five rushing scores and two passing touchdowns … ran an 11.02 in 100-meter dash and 21.63 in 200 meters as a sophomore … 2021 Texas 12-6A First-Team All-District wide receiver as junior … 2020 Texas 12-6A First-Team All-District wide receiver as sophomore … played safety on varsity as freshman, earning second-team all-district honors … father, Chris Pilot was a four-year letterwinner and linebacker at Houston from 2005-08, playing in 46 career games while contributing 49 tackles … his mother, Jennifer, was a cheerleader at Houston … chose Houston over Texas, TCU, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Baylor, Cincinnati, Auburn, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Pitt, Tennessee, Texas Tech, USC and UCF among others.
Joshua Cobbs – WR
Wyoming / Wagner High School (San Antonio, Texas)
6-4 / 204
Prior to Houston: Spent last three seasons at Wyoming … played 12 games in 2022, hauling in 35 receptions for 407 yards and two touchdowns … was one of the most reliable targets at the wide receiver position in 2021 … appeared in 11 games for the Pokes ranking second on the team with 25 receptions for 245 yards … averaged 22.3 yards receiving per game and 9.8 yards per catch … had one touchdown on the season … hauled in a career-high six receptions against Utah State, which tied for the team high for the season … appeared in five games for the Cowboys, but did not record any statistics during 2020.
High School: First Team All-District 13 in Class 5A-1 as a senior … was also named to the 2019 SA Preps Sub-6A Public School Elite 33 All-Metro Team for San Antonio … was selected to and played in the 2020 San Antonio Sports All-Star Football Game on Jan. 4, 2020 … was part of the winning Black Team, that defeated the Gold Team 35-34 … Dave Campbell's Texas Football described Cobbs as "the most impressive specimen in the game" … caught 27 passes for 661 yards and 17 receiving touchdowns his senior season at Wagner High School in San Antonio … averaged 24.5 yards per reception, with a long reception of 66 yards … accounted for 692 all-purpose yards, including 31 yards in interception returns … on defense, he was credited with 19 tackles, including 11 solo tackles and he intercepted two passes as a senior … over his high school career, Cobbs caught 62 passes for 1,253 yards and 25 TDs, while averaging 20.2 yards per reception with 1,342 all-purpose yards and 27 combined touchdowns receiving and rushing … helped lead Wagner High to a 13-2 overall record and a perfect 8-0 record in District 13 of Class 5A-1 to win the conference in 2019 … Wagner advanced all the way to the Texas Class 5A-1 State Semifinals before losing to eventual state champion Shadow Creek.
Isaiah Hamilton – DB
Texas Southern / Channelview High School (Houston, Texas)
6-1 / 167
Prior to Houston: Spent three seasons at Texas Southern … played 17 games, hauling in six interceptions including five during the 2022 season and two in which results in touchdowns … logged 51 tackles and 15 passes defended across 17 games … during 10 games last season, he contributed 30 stops, five interceptions, 10 pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
High School: Played basketball and football at Channelview … eight total interceptions across 13 games played … hauled in 11 touchdown receptions in six games as a senior … registered 640 all-purpose yards in three seasons with 414 (354 receiving) coming as a senior.
Ish Harris – LB
Texas A&M / Pilot Point High School (Pilot Point, Texas)
6-2 / 205
Prior to Houston: Spent 2022 season at Texas A&M … did not play.
High School: Coached by Danny David at Pilot Point High School ... 4-star recruit according to Rivals and a 3-star prospect according to 247 Spots and ESPN ... in 10 games as a senior, recorded 57 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery ... on the offensive side of the ball, finished with 140 carries for 857 yards and 14 touchdowns ... through the air, he made 19 catches for 211 yards and two touchdowns ... in 2020, was named the Texas District 4-3A D-I Offensive MVP ... three-sport athlete, also played basketball and ran track ... ran 11.95 in the 100 and 23.86 in the 200 as a junior.
Adari Haulcy – DB
New Mexico / Fort Bend Marshall (Houston, Texas)
5-11 / 220
Prior to Houston: Spent 2022 season at new Mexico, playing in all 12 games and started final nine games of the season … tied for team lead with two interceptions and two forced fumbles … third on team with 87 tackles including 38 solo stops … added three passes defended … recorded career-best 24 tackles against Fresno State on Oct. 22 alongside one interception … it was just the 16th time in the last 23 years than any FBS player had recorded at least 24 tackles in a game and was the most since Sept. 22, 2018, when Kenneth Murray had 28 against Army.
High School: Lettered in football at Fort Bend Marshall High School … named First Team All-State and First Team All-District, as well as Team MVP … as a senior he recorded 12 interceptions, including three pick-sixes … also had 47 tackles, one fumble recovery that was returned for a touchdown, a blocked field goal and five PBUs.
Brian George – DB
Texas A&M / Highland Community College (Belle Grade, Fla.)
6-2 / 195
Prior to Houston: Spent three seasons at Texas A&M … started two of the five games he appeared in during 2022 ... made one tackle and one pass breakup in the season-opening win over Sam Houston ... recorded three tackles against Mississippi State … played in five games during 2021, starting the first four games of the season … made the start and tallied three tackles in the season-opening win over Kent State … recorded a career-high four tackles in the win at Colorado … made a tackle against New Mexico ... had two tackles against Arkansas … played in all 10 games, making two starts during 2020 ... made his A&M debut in the season-opening win over Vanderbilt … made his first start, picking off a pass late in the fourth quarter along with four tackles in the win at Tennessee … started at corner and recorded three tackles and a pass breakup in the Orange Bowl victory over North Carolina. ... earned the team's Academic Excellence Award following a strong spring semester in the classroom … coached by Aaron Arnold at Highland Community College ... was a 2019 JUCO Second Team All-American ... recorded a pair of interceptions and six pass breakups, while totaling 26 tackles and a fumble recovery ... averaged 22.7 yards per kick return with one kick return touchdown ... was a 4-star, top-four JUCO player in the country according to 247Sports and Rivals.
Stephon Johnson – WR
Oklahoma State / Desoto High School (Houston, Texas)
6-2 / 182
Prior to Houston: Spent 2022 true freshman season at Oklahoma State … recorded 17 catches for 273 yards and two touchdowns in 2022 … recorded an 84-yard touchdown against Wisconsin in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl … averaged nearly 18 yards per reception.
High School: Three-star prospect according to 247Sports … nation's No. 72 wide receiver and No. 74 overall player in state of Texas according to 247Sports … received offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, USC and Utah among others.
Jack Martin – K
Alabama / Troy / Dothan High School (Dothan, Ala.)
6-2 / 222
Prior to Houston: Joins Houston after spending two seasons at Alabama (2021-22) and two seasons at Troy (2019-20) … worked in two games during 2022 season, totaling 164 yards on three kickoffs against ULM (Sept. 17) and added wo kickoffs for combined 120 yards against Vanderbilt (Sept. 24) … recorded five kickoffs for 297 yards with three touchbacks during 2021 season with Crimson Tide ... also notched one made field goal in as many attempts ... redshirted at season's end … tallied his first points of the season with a made field goal from 29 yards away against New Mexico State (Nov. 13) … added one kickoff for 65 yards and a touchback … participated in 11 games during 2020, registering 25 punts for average of 46.1 yars including a long of 66 yards … added 49 kickoffs for 2,790 yards and 19 touchbacks while averaging 56.9 yards per kick … handled all but seven of Troy's kickoffs during 2019 … averaged 53.5 yards per kick with 23 touchbacks (33.3 percent) and just one kick out of bounds in 2019 while helping lead Troy to rank 17th nationally allowing opponents an average of just 17.85 yards per kickoff return … plans to enroll at Houston in January as a mid-year enrollee.
High School: Three-time all-state honorable mention selection at Northview High School … finished his senior season 8-for-10 on field goals with a 42-yard punting average and touchbacks on 39-of-42 kickoffs; made a career-long 53-yard field goal … booted a game-winning field goal to lift Northview past Enterprise as a junior … finished his junior season 11-for-13 on field goals with a 40-yard punt average … also played soccer for the Cougars … tabbed as the nation's 16th-ranked kicker by 247Sports … rated as a three-star prospect and top 50 kicker nationally by ESPN.
Mike O'Laughlin – TE
West Virginia / Fenwick High School (Chicago, Ill.)
6-5 / 255
Prior to Houston: Played in 32 career games at West Virginia, hauling in 37 passes for 292 yards and one touchdown ... played in five games during 2022, adding five catches for 66 yards including a long of 32 … 2021 Academic All-Big 12 Second Team … played in five games at tight end in 2021 season, starting three … missed first two games of the season with a lower leg injury … suffered season-ending knee injury at TCU … saw action on 203 offensive snaps, including season-high 48 plays at TCU … used on 35 or more plays in five games … finished with 11 catches for 65 yards with a long reception of 11 yards … tallied four catches for 23 yards at TCU … finished with a career-best five catches for 35 yards against Texas Tech … made season debut against Virginia Tech … 2020 Academic All-Big 12 First Team … started all nine games in which he played at tight end; also used on special teams … WVU Blue Collar Award (Kansas, Kansas State) … registered 15 catches for 137 yards, a touchdown and a long of 34 yards … found the end zone for the first time in his career against Army in the Liberty Bowl; finished with three catches for 11 yards on the day … had multiple catches in four straight games … caught two passes for 44 yards at Texas Tech, including a career-long 34-yarder … finished with a career-high four catches for 26 yards against Baylor … 2019 Academic All-Big 12 First Team … played in 12 games at tight end and started four … also used on special teams … saw action on 367 plays, including 255 on offense … used on a season-high 40 offensive plays at Oklahoma and season-high 18 special teams plays against NC State … finished with six catches for 24 yards with a long of eight yards for the season … caught three passes for 16 yards in his first career start against Iowa State … hauled in first career reception at Missouri … redshirted during 2018.
High School: Played for coach Gene Nudo at Fenwick HS … two-time all-state … two-time all-conference and two-time Pioneer Press All-Area First Team … team's most valuable player Tony Lawless Award (conference MVP) … helped lead Fenwick to a 6-6 record and first round of the state playoffs … as a senior, he finished with 54 catches for 956 yards and 11 touchdowns … averaged 18 yards per catch … helped lead Fenwick to the Class 7A state semifinals as a junior … finished with 54 catches for 939 yards and eight touchdowns … three-star rating by ESPN, rivals and 247Sports … No. 13 player in Illinois and No. 17 tight end nationally by ESPN … No. 6 player in Illinois and No. 22 tight end nationally by rivals … No. 9 prospect in Illinois and No. 30 tight end nationally by 247Sports.
David Ugwoegbu – EDGE
Oklahoma / Seven Lakes High School (Katy, Texas)
6-4 / 250
Prior to Houston: Played 51 games across four seasons at Oklahoma … contributed 212 tackles including 107 solo stops in his Sooners career … added 16 tackles for loss and four sacks … received honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference accolades from league's head coaches in 2022 … ranked fourth in the Big 12 with 8.4 tackles per game … totaled 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, a pass breakup, four QB hurries and a safety … double-digit tackles in four games and at least six tackles in every contest … 2021 Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree … played in all 13 games and made four starts … started vs. Tulane (Sept. 4), Western Carolina (Sept. 11), Baylor (Nov. 13) and in Alamo Bowl win vs. Oregon (Dec. 29) … totaled 49 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss … played in all 11 games and made three starts during 2020 (vs. Kansas [Nov. 7], No. 14 Oklahoma State [Nov. 21] and Baylor [Dec. 5]) … made 34 total tackles (16 solo) and registered one interception, 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, six QB hurries and a blocked punt … played in all 14 games during 2019 … recorded 19 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack and one pass breakup … had one tackle vs. No. 1 LSU in CFP Semifinal at the Peach Bowl (Dec. 28) ... registered a tackle for loss in Big 12 Championship win vs. No. 8 Baylor (Dec. 7).
High School: Four-star recruit by Rivals and three-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN … touted as nation's No. 25 weakside defensive end by Rivals, No. 26 by 247Sports and No. 57 by ESPN … rated the No. 38 prospect in Texas by Rivals, No. 47 by 247Sports and No. 55 by ESPN … recorded 32 tackles (seven for loss), one sack and one forced fumble his senior season … offered by Alabama, Oklahoma, Michigan and Texas A&M and others.
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Wide receiver Mikal Harrison-Pilot and defensive back Juwon Gaston will join the program for the Cougars' inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference. As part of Tuesday's schedule release, Houston will welcome league foes TCU (Sept. 16), West Virginia (Oct. 12), Texas (Oct. 21), Cincinnati (Nov. 11) and Oklahoma State (Nov. 18) to TDECU Stadium during the 2023 season in addition to home non-conference matchups against UTSA (Sept. 2) and Sam Houston (Sept. 23).
The group joins the 16 student-athletes Houston inked during the Early Signing Period in December.
Juwon Gaston – DB
Northeast Mississippi Community College / Carver High School (Montgomery, Ala.)
5-11 / 187
Prior to Houston: Spent 2022 season at Northeast Mississippi Community College … played nine games, logging 53.0 tackles including 33 solo stops … added five pass breakups and a pair of interceptions with one forced fumble … logged 5+ tackles on six occasions … chose Houston over UTSA, Jacksonville State, South Alabama and Troy among others.
High School: Scored six touchdowns, three on returns, as a senior for Coach James Thompson and the Carver High Wolverines … also recorded 54 tackles, four interceptions … Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … Montgomery Advertiser all-metro … rated among the top 25 overall prospects in Alabama by 24/7 and ESPN …. also, a basketball letterman helping the Wolverines to the 2019 Class 6A title game.
Mikal Harrison-Pilot – WR
Temple High School (Temple, Texas)
6-0 / 190
High School: Four-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals … fourth highest-rated recruit to sign at Houston (247Sports) … nation's No. 135 overall player and No. 25 overall player in state of Texas … three-sport athlete at Temple (football, baseball and track) … invited to compete in U.S. Army All-American Bowl, nation's premier high school event… as a senior, he hauled in 48 catches for 978 yards and 14 touchdowns alongside five rushing scores and two passing touchdowns … ran an 11.02 in 100-meter dash and 21.63 in 200 meters as a sophomore … 2021 Texas 12-6A First-Team All-District wide receiver as junior … 2020 Texas 12-6A First-Team All-District wide receiver as sophomore … played safety on varsity as freshman, earning second-team all-district honors … father, Chris Pilot was a four-year letterwinner and linebacker at Houston from 2005-08, playing in 46 career games while contributing 49 tackles … his mother, Jennifer, was a cheerleader at Houston … chose Houston over Texas, TCU, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Baylor, Cincinnati, Auburn, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Pitt, Tennessee, Texas Tech, USC and UCF among others.
HOUSTON FOOTBALL MID-YEAR TRANSFERS
| Name |
Pos.
|
Ht.
|
Wt.
|
Last School | Hometown |
| Joshua Cobbs |
WR
|
6-4
|
204
|
Wyoming | San Antonio, Texas |
| Isaiah Hamilton | DB | 6-1 | 167 | Texas Southern | Houston, Texas |
| Ish Harris | LB | 6-2 | 205 | Texas A&M | Pilot Point, Texas |
| Adari Haulcy | DB | 5-11 | 220 | New Mexico | Houston, Texas |
| Brian George | DB | 6-2 | 195 | Texas A&M | Belle Grade, Fla. |
| Stephon Johnson | WR | 6-2 | 182 | Oklahoma State | Houston, Texas |
| Jack Martin | K | 6-2 | 222 | Alabama | Dothan, Ala. |
| Mike O'Laughlin | TE | 6-5 | 255 | West Virginia | Chicago, Ill. |
| David Ugwoegbu | EDGE | 6-4 | 250 | Seven Lakes High School | Katy, Texas |
Joshua Cobbs – WR
Wyoming / Wagner High School (San Antonio, Texas)
6-4 / 204
Prior to Houston: Spent last three seasons at Wyoming … played 12 games in 2022, hauling in 35 receptions for 407 yards and two touchdowns … was one of the most reliable targets at the wide receiver position in 2021 … appeared in 11 games for the Pokes ranking second on the team with 25 receptions for 245 yards … averaged 22.3 yards receiving per game and 9.8 yards per catch … had one touchdown on the season … hauled in a career-high six receptions against Utah State, which tied for the team high for the season … appeared in five games for the Cowboys, but did not record any statistics during 2020.
High School: First Team All-District 13 in Class 5A-1 as a senior … was also named to the 2019 SA Preps Sub-6A Public School Elite 33 All-Metro Team for San Antonio … was selected to and played in the 2020 San Antonio Sports All-Star Football Game on Jan. 4, 2020 … was part of the winning Black Team, that defeated the Gold Team 35-34 … Dave Campbell's Texas Football described Cobbs as "the most impressive specimen in the game" … caught 27 passes for 661 yards and 17 receiving touchdowns his senior season at Wagner High School in San Antonio … averaged 24.5 yards per reception, with a long reception of 66 yards … accounted for 692 all-purpose yards, including 31 yards in interception returns … on defense, he was credited with 19 tackles, including 11 solo tackles and he intercepted two passes as a senior … over his high school career, Cobbs caught 62 passes for 1,253 yards and 25 TDs, while averaging 20.2 yards per reception with 1,342 all-purpose yards and 27 combined touchdowns receiving and rushing … helped lead Wagner High to a 13-2 overall record and a perfect 8-0 record in District 13 of Class 5A-1 to win the conference in 2019 … Wagner advanced all the way to the Texas Class 5A-1 State Semifinals before losing to eventual state champion Shadow Creek.
Isaiah Hamilton – DB
Texas Southern / Channelview High School (Houston, Texas)
6-1 / 167
Prior to Houston: Spent three seasons at Texas Southern … played 17 games, hauling in six interceptions including five during the 2022 season and two in which results in touchdowns … logged 51 tackles and 15 passes defended across 17 games … during 10 games last season, he contributed 30 stops, five interceptions, 10 pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
High School: Played basketball and football at Channelview … eight total interceptions across 13 games played … hauled in 11 touchdown receptions in six games as a senior … registered 640 all-purpose yards in three seasons with 414 (354 receiving) coming as a senior.
Ish Harris – LB
Texas A&M / Pilot Point High School (Pilot Point, Texas)
6-2 / 205
Prior to Houston: Spent 2022 season at Texas A&M … did not play.
High School: Coached by Danny David at Pilot Point High School ... 4-star recruit according to Rivals and a 3-star prospect according to 247 Spots and ESPN ... in 10 games as a senior, recorded 57 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery ... on the offensive side of the ball, finished with 140 carries for 857 yards and 14 touchdowns ... through the air, he made 19 catches for 211 yards and two touchdowns ... in 2020, was named the Texas District 4-3A D-I Offensive MVP ... three-sport athlete, also played basketball and ran track ... ran 11.95 in the 100 and 23.86 in the 200 as a junior.
Adari Haulcy – DB
New Mexico / Fort Bend Marshall (Houston, Texas)
5-11 / 220
Prior to Houston: Spent 2022 season at new Mexico, playing in all 12 games and started final nine games of the season … tied for team lead with two interceptions and two forced fumbles … third on team with 87 tackles including 38 solo stops … added three passes defended … recorded career-best 24 tackles against Fresno State on Oct. 22 alongside one interception … it was just the 16th time in the last 23 years than any FBS player had recorded at least 24 tackles in a game and was the most since Sept. 22, 2018, when Kenneth Murray had 28 against Army.
High School: Lettered in football at Fort Bend Marshall High School … named First Team All-State and First Team All-District, as well as Team MVP … as a senior he recorded 12 interceptions, including three pick-sixes … also had 47 tackles, one fumble recovery that was returned for a touchdown, a blocked field goal and five PBUs.
Brian George – DB
Texas A&M / Highland Community College (Belle Grade, Fla.)
6-2 / 195
Prior to Houston: Spent three seasons at Texas A&M … started two of the five games he appeared in during 2022 ... made one tackle and one pass breakup in the season-opening win over Sam Houston ... recorded three tackles against Mississippi State … played in five games during 2021, starting the first four games of the season … made the start and tallied three tackles in the season-opening win over Kent State … recorded a career-high four tackles in the win at Colorado … made a tackle against New Mexico ... had two tackles against Arkansas … played in all 10 games, making two starts during 2020 ... made his A&M debut in the season-opening win over Vanderbilt … made his first start, picking off a pass late in the fourth quarter along with four tackles in the win at Tennessee … started at corner and recorded three tackles and a pass breakup in the Orange Bowl victory over North Carolina. ... earned the team's Academic Excellence Award following a strong spring semester in the classroom … coached by Aaron Arnold at Highland Community College ... was a 2019 JUCO Second Team All-American ... recorded a pair of interceptions and six pass breakups, while totaling 26 tackles and a fumble recovery ... averaged 22.7 yards per kick return with one kick return touchdown ... was a 4-star, top-four JUCO player in the country according to 247Sports and Rivals.
Stephon Johnson – WR
Oklahoma State / Desoto High School (Houston, Texas)
6-2 / 182
Prior to Houston: Spent 2022 true freshman season at Oklahoma State … recorded 17 catches for 273 yards and two touchdowns in 2022 … recorded an 84-yard touchdown against Wisconsin in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl … averaged nearly 18 yards per reception.
High School: Three-star prospect according to 247Sports … nation's No. 72 wide receiver and No. 74 overall player in state of Texas according to 247Sports … received offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, USC and Utah among others.
Jack Martin – K
Alabama / Troy / Dothan High School (Dothan, Ala.)
6-2 / 222
Prior to Houston: Joins Houston after spending two seasons at Alabama (2021-22) and two seasons at Troy (2019-20) … worked in two games during 2022 season, totaling 164 yards on three kickoffs against ULM (Sept. 17) and added wo kickoffs for combined 120 yards against Vanderbilt (Sept. 24) … recorded five kickoffs for 297 yards with three touchbacks during 2021 season with Crimson Tide ... also notched one made field goal in as many attempts ... redshirted at season's end … tallied his first points of the season with a made field goal from 29 yards away against New Mexico State (Nov. 13) … added one kickoff for 65 yards and a touchback … participated in 11 games during 2020, registering 25 punts for average of 46.1 yars including a long of 66 yards … added 49 kickoffs for 2,790 yards and 19 touchbacks while averaging 56.9 yards per kick … handled all but seven of Troy's kickoffs during 2019 … averaged 53.5 yards per kick with 23 touchbacks (33.3 percent) and just one kick out of bounds in 2019 while helping lead Troy to rank 17th nationally allowing opponents an average of just 17.85 yards per kickoff return … plans to enroll at Houston in January as a mid-year enrollee.
High School: Three-time all-state honorable mention selection at Northview High School … finished his senior season 8-for-10 on field goals with a 42-yard punting average and touchbacks on 39-of-42 kickoffs; made a career-long 53-yard field goal … booted a game-winning field goal to lift Northview past Enterprise as a junior … finished his junior season 11-for-13 on field goals with a 40-yard punt average … also played soccer for the Cougars … tabbed as the nation's 16th-ranked kicker by 247Sports … rated as a three-star prospect and top 50 kicker nationally by ESPN.
Mike O'Laughlin – TE
West Virginia / Fenwick High School (Chicago, Ill.)
6-5 / 255
Prior to Houston: Played in 32 career games at West Virginia, hauling in 37 passes for 292 yards and one touchdown ... played in five games during 2022, adding five catches for 66 yards including a long of 32 … 2021 Academic All-Big 12 Second Team … played in five games at tight end in 2021 season, starting three … missed first two games of the season with a lower leg injury … suffered season-ending knee injury at TCU … saw action on 203 offensive snaps, including season-high 48 plays at TCU … used on 35 or more plays in five games … finished with 11 catches for 65 yards with a long reception of 11 yards … tallied four catches for 23 yards at TCU … finished with a career-best five catches for 35 yards against Texas Tech … made season debut against Virginia Tech … 2020 Academic All-Big 12 First Team … started all nine games in which he played at tight end; also used on special teams … WVU Blue Collar Award (Kansas, Kansas State) … registered 15 catches for 137 yards, a touchdown and a long of 34 yards … found the end zone for the first time in his career against Army in the Liberty Bowl; finished with three catches for 11 yards on the day … had multiple catches in four straight games … caught two passes for 44 yards at Texas Tech, including a career-long 34-yarder … finished with a career-high four catches for 26 yards against Baylor … 2019 Academic All-Big 12 First Team … played in 12 games at tight end and started four … also used on special teams … saw action on 367 plays, including 255 on offense … used on a season-high 40 offensive plays at Oklahoma and season-high 18 special teams plays against NC State … finished with six catches for 24 yards with a long of eight yards for the season … caught three passes for 16 yards in his first career start against Iowa State … hauled in first career reception at Missouri … redshirted during 2018.
High School: Played for coach Gene Nudo at Fenwick HS … two-time all-state … two-time all-conference and two-time Pioneer Press All-Area First Team … team's most valuable player Tony Lawless Award (conference MVP) … helped lead Fenwick to a 6-6 record and first round of the state playoffs … as a senior, he finished with 54 catches for 956 yards and 11 touchdowns … averaged 18 yards per catch … helped lead Fenwick to the Class 7A state semifinals as a junior … finished with 54 catches for 939 yards and eight touchdowns … three-star rating by ESPN, rivals and 247Sports … No. 13 player in Illinois and No. 17 tight end nationally by ESPN … No. 6 player in Illinois and No. 22 tight end nationally by rivals … No. 9 prospect in Illinois and No. 30 tight end nationally by 247Sports.
David Ugwoegbu – EDGE
Oklahoma / Seven Lakes High School (Katy, Texas)
6-4 / 250
Prior to Houston: Played 51 games across four seasons at Oklahoma … contributed 212 tackles including 107 solo stops in his Sooners career … added 16 tackles for loss and four sacks … received honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference accolades from league's head coaches in 2022 … ranked fourth in the Big 12 with 8.4 tackles per game … totaled 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, a pass breakup, four QB hurries and a safety … double-digit tackles in four games and at least six tackles in every contest … 2021 Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree … played in all 13 games and made four starts … started vs. Tulane (Sept. 4), Western Carolina (Sept. 11), Baylor (Nov. 13) and in Alamo Bowl win vs. Oregon (Dec. 29) … totaled 49 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss … played in all 11 games and made three starts during 2020 (vs. Kansas [Nov. 7], No. 14 Oklahoma State [Nov. 21] and Baylor [Dec. 5]) … made 34 total tackles (16 solo) and registered one interception, 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, six QB hurries and a blocked punt … played in all 14 games during 2019 … recorded 19 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack and one pass breakup … had one tackle vs. No. 1 LSU in CFP Semifinal at the Peach Bowl (Dec. 28) ... registered a tackle for loss in Big 12 Championship win vs. No. 8 Baylor (Dec. 7).
High School: Four-star recruit by Rivals and three-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN … touted as nation's No. 25 weakside defensive end by Rivals, No. 26 by 247Sports and No. 57 by ESPN … rated the No. 38 prospect in Texas by Rivals, No. 47 by 247Sports and No. 55 by ESPN … recorded 32 tackles (seven for loss), one sack and one forced fumble his senior season … offered by Alabama, Oklahoma, Michigan and Texas A&M and others.
PRIORITY WAITLIST
Fans are encouraged to join the Houston Football Priority Waitlist today. Just $75 will hold new season tickets for the 2023 season which includes four home matchups against in-state opponents including visits from national championship runner-up TCU and Texas. Season tickets go on sale Monday, Feb. 20. To get in on the excitement, click here or call the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at 713‑GO‑COOGS (462‑6647).
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Postgame Press Conference (at Baylor)
Saturday, November 29
Postgame Press Conference: Football vs. TCU (Players)
Saturday, November 22
Postgame Press Conference: Football vs. TCU (Coach Fritz)
Saturday, November 22
Press Conference: Head Coach Willie Fritz Previews TCU
Monday, November 17