The University of Houston’s football team is making headlines as the Big 12’s preseason accolades are announced, highlighting a wave of talent set to shape the 2026 campaign.
Preseason Accolades Highlight Houston’s Talent Surge
Leading the charge, wide receiver Amare Thomas earned First‑Team honors on Pro Football Network’s Preseason All‑Big 12 squad. Thomas topped the Cougars with 12 touchdown receptions and amassed 966 receiving yards last season, the most in a single year since 2025.
Offensive line anchor Shadre Hurst joined Thomas on the Third‑Team, while also securing a spot on the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List. Hurst, who transferred to Houston after a standout stint at Tulane where he helped the Green Wave capture three conference titles (2022‑23, 2025) and allowed just one sack over four seasons, brings veteran poise to the front line. Joining him are linemen Anthony Boswell and Drew Terrill, both named to the Third‑Team as well. Boswell, a 2025 Freshman All‑American at Toledo, earned All‑MAC First‑Team recognition in his debut year, while Terrill posted the second‑best offensive grade among MAC linemen in 2025.
Defensive back Kentrell Webb rounded out the selections with Fourth‑Team honors from Athlon Sports, having logged the third‑most tackles among safeties on the Houston roster. Webb’s relentless pursuit adds a defensive spark that complements the offense’s firepower.
The preseason recognitions also reflect the program’s expanding footprint across the conference’s watch lists. Thomas finds himself on the Biletnikoff Award watch list, while Boswell appears on the Rimington Trophy list for centers. Such nods underscore the Cougars’ growing depth and set an optimistic tone as head coach Willie Fritz prepares his squad for the upcoming season.