Cougars Open Spring Practice Tuesday
2/24/2023 12:57:00 PM | Football
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Houston begins 15-practice spring slate, capped by April 7 Spring Game
HOUSTON – University of Houston Football opens spring practice Tuesday morning as preparations formally begin for the program's inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference.
Seventeen mid-year enrollees will suit up for the first time in Scarlet & White. The unit – consisting of 10 defensive players, six on offense, and one specialist – breaks down into six defensive backs, three wide receivers, two defensive linemen, two linebackers, one tight end, one specialist, one quarterback and one running back.
Among the newcomers, 10 possess prior Division I experience including wide receiver Joshua Cobbs (Wyoming), defensive back Brian George (Texas A&M), defensive back Isaiah Hamilton (Texas Southern), linebacker Ish Harris (Texas A&M), defensive back Adari Haulcy (New Mexico), wide receiver Stephon Johnson (Oklahoma State); Jack Martin (Alabama/Troy), tight end Mike O'Laughlin (West Virginia), quarterback Donovan Smith (Texas Tech) and defensive lineman David Ugwoegbu (Oklahoma).
Six student-athletes enrolled early out of high school including wide receiver Ja'Koby Banks (Missouri City, Texas; Fort Bend Marshall HS), defensive back Johnsley Barbas (Atlanta, Ga.; Centennial HS), defensive lineman Justin Benton (Atlanta, Ga.; Newton HS), linebacker Chris Pearson (Orange Beach, Ala.; Orange Beach HS), defensive back Jamaal Shaw (Orange, Texas; Orange Stark HS) and Jalyn Stanford (Jenks, Okla.; Jenks HS).
WHAT'S BACK IN '23
The Cougars return 33 letterwinners including 14 on offense, 16 on defense and three on special teams. The group includes five offensive linemen highlighted by four starters including 2022 First-Team All-Conference honoree Patrick Paul. The group will be tutored by first-year Run Game Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach Eman Naghavi who joined the Cougars in January following a decorated season in the same position at Tulane.
After missing the entire 2022 season due to injury, Houston welcomes back running back Alton McCaskill IV who set the program's true freshman rushing touchdowns record in 2021. He is accompanied by wideout Matthew Golden who broke UH's all-time receiving touchdowns record among true freshman a season ago.
Defensively, linebacker Malik Robinson returns for his fourth season with the program after missing the final 11 games a season ago due to injury. On the defensive line, Nelson Ceaser is back after a big sophomore campaign that saw the Missouri City, Texas, native rank second on the team in tackles for loss (10.0). Defensive lineman Chidozie Nwankwo and 2022 Team Captain Hasaan Hypolite are among other key returners defensively.
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Season tickets are now on sale for Houston's inaugural Big 12 Conference season. Seven-game packages begin as low as $175 to see the Cougars host UTSA (Sept. 2), TCU (Sept. 16), Sam Houston (Sept. 23), West Virginia (Oct. 12), Texas (Oct. 21), Cincinnati (Nov. 11) and Oklahoma State (Nov. 18) at TDECU Stadium. Houston's seven on-campus home games are its most since 2015.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023.
Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN The 46ers and The HUDDLE
Fans are invited to join the 46ers and the Huddle to directly support Houston Football. Members provide financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond operating budget. For more information about the 46ers and the Huddle, call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684) or click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Football on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarFB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Football on Facebook.
The Cougars will practice 15 times over 34 days with five days off for the University's spring break (March 13-17). The squad wraps the schedule by holding the Houston Football Spring Game in front of fans at TDECU Stadium at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 7. Admission is free and gates will open at 6 p.m.
Houston's spring slate will be intertwined with strength & conditioning sessions as well as team and positional meetings. Per NCAA rules, no more than 12 of 15 practices may involve contact and eight of the 12 contact practices can involve tackling.
COUGAR DEBUTSSeventeen mid-year enrollees will suit up for the first time in Scarlet & White. The unit – consisting of 10 defensive players, six on offense, and one specialist – breaks down into six defensive backs, three wide receivers, two defensive linemen, two linebackers, one tight end, one specialist, one quarterback and one running back.
Among the newcomers, 10 possess prior Division I experience including wide receiver Joshua Cobbs (Wyoming), defensive back Brian George (Texas A&M), defensive back Isaiah Hamilton (Texas Southern), linebacker Ish Harris (Texas A&M), defensive back Adari Haulcy (New Mexico), wide receiver Stephon Johnson (Oklahoma State); Jack Martin (Alabama/Troy), tight end Mike O'Laughlin (West Virginia), quarterback Donovan Smith (Texas Tech) and defensive lineman David Ugwoegbu (Oklahoma).
Six student-athletes enrolled early out of high school including wide receiver Ja'Koby Banks (Missouri City, Texas; Fort Bend Marshall HS), defensive back Johnsley Barbas (Atlanta, Ga.; Centennial HS), defensive lineman Justin Benton (Atlanta, Ga.; Newton HS), linebacker Chris Pearson (Orange Beach, Ala.; Orange Beach HS), defensive back Jamaal Shaw (Orange, Texas; Orange Stark HS) and Jalyn Stanford (Jenks, Okla.; Jenks HS).
WHAT'S BACK IN '23
The Cougars return 33 letterwinners including 14 on offense, 16 on defense and three on special teams. The group includes five offensive linemen highlighted by four starters including 2022 First-Team All-Conference honoree Patrick Paul. The group will be tutored by first-year Run Game Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach Eman Naghavi who joined the Cougars in January following a decorated season in the same position at Tulane.
After missing the entire 2022 season due to injury, Houston welcomes back running back Alton McCaskill IV who set the program's true freshman rushing touchdowns record in 2021. He is accompanied by wideout Matthew Golden who broke UH's all-time receiving touchdowns record among true freshman a season ago.
Defensively, linebacker Malik Robinson returns for his fourth season with the program after missing the final 11 games a season ago due to injury. On the defensive line, Nelson Ceaser is back after a big sophomore campaign that saw the Missouri City, Texas, native rank second on the team in tackles for loss (10.0). Defensive lineman Chidozie Nwankwo and 2022 Team Captain Hasaan Hypolite are among other key returners defensively.
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Season tickets are now on sale for Houston's inaugural Big 12 Conference season. Seven-game packages begin as low as $175 to see the Cougars host UTSA (Sept. 2), TCU (Sept. 16), Sam Houston (Sept. 23), West Virginia (Oct. 12), Texas (Oct. 21), Cincinnati (Nov. 11) and Oklahoma State (Nov. 18) at TDECU Stadium. Houston's seven on-campus home games are its most since 2015.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023.
Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN The 46ers and The HUDDLE
Fans are invited to join the 46ers and the Huddle to directly support Houston Football. Members provide financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond operating budget. For more information about the 46ers and the Huddle, call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684) or click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Football on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarFB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Football on Facebook.
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