University of Houston Athletics
Nine Cougars Earn Place on Shriners Children’s 1000 Watchlist
7/20/2026 2:25:00 PM | Football
Houston lands nine on the watchlist for the second consecutive season
HOUSTON – For the second consecutive year, nine members of the Houston Football team earned a place on the Shriners Children's 1000 Watchlist, the Shriners Children's East-West Bowl announced Monday.
Running back Makhi Hughes, offensive lineman Shadre Hurst, defensive lineman Brandon Mack II, defensive back Jalen Mayo, tight end Patrick Overmyer, offensive lineman Drew Terrill, wide receiver Amare Thomas, wide receiver Trent Walker and quarterback Conner Weigman were selected for this year's watchlist.
Every year, approximately 1,000 all-star game eligible players are drafted, signed after the draft or attend a rookie minicamp. The Shriners Children's 1000 Watchlist highlights 1,000 of the top all-star game eligible college football players for the 2027 Schriners Children's East-West Bowl.
The Cougars consistently send student-athletes to the East-West Bowl. Last year, running back Dean Connors became Houston's 32nd player to participate in the Bowl and the ninth in the last decade.
Makhi Hughes arrives in Houston after a season at Oregon and three seasons at Tulane. A 2023 Freshman All-American, the running back was also the American Conference Rookie of the Year. In 23 career games, he's rushed for 2,849 yards on 540 attempts for an average of 5.3 yards per carry. He's also caught 32 passes for 267 yards. Hughes has hit paydirt 24 times in his career, including 22 times on the ground and two times in the air.
A two-time All-American, Hurst joined the Cougars for his senior season after four years at Tulane. He was the top graded offensive lineman in the American Conference and was the No. 6 graded guard nationally by Pro Football Focus last year. Hurst was named to the All-AAC First team twice during his time at Tulane and helped the Green Wave win three American Conference Championships.
Mack II has spent the last three seasons in H-Town after time at Ole Miss. Earning a starting spot early last year, he became a significant contributor in the defensive front, notching five sacks and six TFLs. He was one of three Cougars to force multiple fumbles last year. In total, he's collected 80 tackles, eight sacks and 16 TFLs.
A Top 10 cornerback in the 2026 transfer portal class, Mayo joins Houston after a year at SFA and three seasons at Virginia Union. Last year, the defensive back finished third on the Lumberjacks with 48 tackles across seven games while also collecting four interceptions en route to a 2025 All-Southland Conference First Team selection. He helped lead Virginia Union to back-to-back CIAA Championships, posting 75 tackles at the Division II school over three seasons.
Overmyer collected 58 receptions for 627 yards and eight touchdowns during his three years with UTSA. A 2024 Freshman All-American, he went on to post the second-best PFF offense grade of American Conference tight ends in 2025 as well as the sixth-best receiving grade. The Kingwood, Texas, native caught three touchdown passes in the final pair of games for the Roadrunners last year, including a pair of scores against Army in the regular-season finale.
After three years at Miami (Ohio), Terrill arrives on Cullen Boulevard for his senior season. A 2025 All-MAC Second-Team selection Terrill was the No. 2 offensive lineman by PFF offense grade in 2025 while providing the No. 1 run block grade from a MAC offensive tackle (No. 2 among all MAC linemen).
A breakout star for Houston last year, Thomas nearly eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards on the season in his Cougar debut campaign. The All-American finished with 966 yards, the most by a Cougar since 2022. He also added 12 receiving touchdowns, the most by a Houston player since 2022 and the ninth-most in program history. Both totals placed him second among Big 12 Conference players. The Birmingham, Ala., native posted three 100+ yard receiving games, including a 157-yard tally against Arizona, making him one of 31 Cougars all-time with three-or-more in a season.
A familiar face after meeting the Cougars on the gridiron last year, Walker joins the Cougars as a senior in 2026. He played three seasons for Oregon State, posting a career 1,790 receiving yards on 154 catches including four touchdowns. Last year, the wideout notched 823 yards on 68 receptions for a pair of scores.
Houston's starting quarterback last season, Weigman is back in the Bayou City for his final collegiate campaign in 2026. He was a three-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week last year after ranking near the top of the league in multiple statistical categories. A dual-threat signal-caller, his 36 total touchdowns tied for the conference lead and he was one of just four FBS quarterbacks with at least 25 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns last season. He finished the year with 2,705 passing yards and 700 rushing yards, averaging 208.1 and 53.8 per game, respectively.
3-GAME FLEX PLANS
New this season, Houston's Flex Plans allow supporters to purchase tickets to any three home games with additional flexibility as the package purchaser can select a different part of the stadium for each game if they choose. Fans can sit in the same general area each game, or move around the stadium for different views, interactions and fun.
Tickets vary in price depending on which portion of the stadium you sit in – however there is a discount per ticket ranging from $30-$5 – thus, every Flex Plan is unique to each fan with purchasers picking between Mid-Level Chairbacks, North Chairbacks, North Prime Chairbacks, and Sideline Bleacher back seats. Fans must purchase the same number of tickets for each game.
To purchase a 3-Game Flex Plan, click here. Exact seat row and number will vary based on availability.
SEASON TICKETS
University of Houston Football season tickets are on sale for the 2026 season. For as low as $150, fans can get in on the excitement of Year 3 of the Head Coach Willie Fritz era with pivotal matchups against Oregon State, Southern, UCF, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati and Baylor as the Cougars look to improve on their 10-win season in 2025.
To purchase season tickets, click here. The online seat upgrade process will begin later this year.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by providing NIL opportunities and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
Running back Makhi Hughes, offensive lineman Shadre Hurst, defensive lineman Brandon Mack II, defensive back Jalen Mayo, tight end Patrick Overmyer, offensive lineman Drew Terrill, wide receiver Amare Thomas, wide receiver Trent Walker and quarterback Conner Weigman were selected for this year's watchlist.
Every year, approximately 1,000 all-star game eligible players are drafted, signed after the draft or attend a rookie minicamp. The Shriners Children's 1000 Watchlist highlights 1,000 of the top all-star game eligible college football players for the 2027 Schriners Children's East-West Bowl.
The Cougars consistently send student-athletes to the East-West Bowl. Last year, running back Dean Connors became Houston's 32nd player to participate in the Bowl and the ninth in the last decade.
Makhi Hughes arrives in Houston after a season at Oregon and three seasons at Tulane. A 2023 Freshman All-American, the running back was also the American Conference Rookie of the Year. In 23 career games, he's rushed for 2,849 yards on 540 attempts for an average of 5.3 yards per carry. He's also caught 32 passes for 267 yards. Hughes has hit paydirt 24 times in his career, including 22 times on the ground and two times in the air.
A two-time All-American, Hurst joined the Cougars for his senior season after four years at Tulane. He was the top graded offensive lineman in the American Conference and was the No. 6 graded guard nationally by Pro Football Focus last year. Hurst was named to the All-AAC First team twice during his time at Tulane and helped the Green Wave win three American Conference Championships.
Mack II has spent the last three seasons in H-Town after time at Ole Miss. Earning a starting spot early last year, he became a significant contributor in the defensive front, notching five sacks and six TFLs. He was one of three Cougars to force multiple fumbles last year. In total, he's collected 80 tackles, eight sacks and 16 TFLs.
A Top 10 cornerback in the 2026 transfer portal class, Mayo joins Houston after a year at SFA and three seasons at Virginia Union. Last year, the defensive back finished third on the Lumberjacks with 48 tackles across seven games while also collecting four interceptions en route to a 2025 All-Southland Conference First Team selection. He helped lead Virginia Union to back-to-back CIAA Championships, posting 75 tackles at the Division II school over three seasons.
Overmyer collected 58 receptions for 627 yards and eight touchdowns during his three years with UTSA. A 2024 Freshman All-American, he went on to post the second-best PFF offense grade of American Conference tight ends in 2025 as well as the sixth-best receiving grade. The Kingwood, Texas, native caught three touchdown passes in the final pair of games for the Roadrunners last year, including a pair of scores against Army in the regular-season finale.
After three years at Miami (Ohio), Terrill arrives on Cullen Boulevard for his senior season. A 2025 All-MAC Second-Team selection Terrill was the No. 2 offensive lineman by PFF offense grade in 2025 while providing the No. 1 run block grade from a MAC offensive tackle (No. 2 among all MAC linemen).
A breakout star for Houston last year, Thomas nearly eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards on the season in his Cougar debut campaign. The All-American finished with 966 yards, the most by a Cougar since 2022. He also added 12 receiving touchdowns, the most by a Houston player since 2022 and the ninth-most in program history. Both totals placed him second among Big 12 Conference players. The Birmingham, Ala., native posted three 100+ yard receiving games, including a 157-yard tally against Arizona, making him one of 31 Cougars all-time with three-or-more in a season.
A familiar face after meeting the Cougars on the gridiron last year, Walker joins the Cougars as a senior in 2026. He played three seasons for Oregon State, posting a career 1,790 receiving yards on 154 catches including four touchdowns. Last year, the wideout notched 823 yards on 68 receptions for a pair of scores.
Houston's starting quarterback last season, Weigman is back in the Bayou City for his final collegiate campaign in 2026. He was a three-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week last year after ranking near the top of the league in multiple statistical categories. A dual-threat signal-caller, his 36 total touchdowns tied for the conference lead and he was one of just four FBS quarterbacks with at least 25 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns last season. He finished the year with 2,705 passing yards and 700 rushing yards, averaging 208.1 and 53.8 per game, respectively.
3-GAME FLEX PLANS
New this season, Houston's Flex Plans allow supporters to purchase tickets to any three home games with additional flexibility as the package purchaser can select a different part of the stadium for each game if they choose. Fans can sit in the same general area each game, or move around the stadium for different views, interactions and fun.
Tickets vary in price depending on which portion of the stadium you sit in – however there is a discount per ticket ranging from $30-$5 – thus, every Flex Plan is unique to each fan with purchasers picking between Mid-Level Chairbacks, North Chairbacks, North Prime Chairbacks, and Sideline Bleacher back seats. Fans must purchase the same number of tickets for each game.
To purchase a 3-Game Flex Plan, click here. Exact seat row and number will vary based on availability.
SEASON TICKETS
University of Houston Football season tickets are on sale for the 2026 season. For as low as $150, fans can get in on the excitement of Year 3 of the Head Coach Willie Fritz era with pivotal matchups against Oregon State, Southern, UCF, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati and Baylor as the Cougars look to improve on their 10-win season in 2025.
To purchase season tickets, click here. The online seat upgrade process will begin later this year.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by providing NIL opportunities and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
–– UHCougars.com ––
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