I know you all love my annual pre-season threads so you know who to watch when you tune in on Saturday's to watch the Houston Cougars
1. QB Donovan Smith - 6'5" 235 - Smith transferred in from Texas Tech prior to the 2023 season. He had a decent season 2800 yards with 22 passing TDs and 6 rushing, but did throw 13 picks. He is athletic enough but does not just bail out and run at first pressure. He needs to work on progressing through his targets better and not focus on his 1st read, and not try to force throws into tight coverage, needs to try an anticipate the wr moves a bit better. He does not have a huge arm, but can make any throw on the field. He moves well in the pocket but can react slowly to pressure (see 13 sacks) With a quality season I could see him go in the second or even sneak into a late first round option
2. S AJ Haulcy - 6-0" 215 - 97 tackles, 1 FF 3 PD - big hitting safety. Loves to play downhill and attack the running game. Can be overly aggressive. He is not a detriment in the passing game but he could use improvement in his coverage technique. He is likely a 4th -6th round choice on day three
3. WR Samual Brown 6'2" 200 - transfered in from WV last season and quickly got himself in the rotation 62 catches for 815 yards and 3 TDs - good size for a WR, mid 4.4 n the 40, 38 inch vertical is a fluid route runner and catches well with this hands. fights well for contested balls and is not afraid of contact. He is not overly dynamic after the catch but has enough vision to make plays and get plenty of YAC. - likely 2nd or 3rd round option
4. WR Joseph Manjack 6'3" 205 - solid WR not super speedy but extremly tough. always seems to be able to find a open spot led the team with 6 recieving TDs last season. excellent route runner and can make people miss after the catch - likely day 3 option
5 RB Parker Jenkins - 5'11" 200 - only a sophomore but as a freshman he came on late in the season and took the starting job from more experienced teammates. runs hard and shows some talent in the passing game (15 catches with no drops). he also returned 8 kickoffs for 140 yards. Not likely to be in the draft in 2025 but is a guy to watch as he progresses
others I here good things about but have not seem much since they are tranfer portal additions
Maliq Carr TE (out of Michigan State)
Kendre Gant LB (out of Louisianna)
Jeremiah Wilson CB (out of Syracuse)
1. QB Donovan Smith - 6'5" 235 - Smith transferred in from Texas Tech prior to the 2023 season. He had a decent season 2800 yards with 22 passing TDs and 6 rushing, but did throw 13 picks. He is athletic enough but does not just bail out and run at first pressure. He needs to work on progressing through his targets better and not focus on his 1st read, and not try to force throws into tight coverage, needs to try an anticipate the wr moves a bit better. He does not have a huge arm, but can make any throw on the field. He moves well in the pocket but can react slowly to pressure (see 13 sacks) With a quality season I could see him go in the second or even sneak into a late first round option
2. S AJ Haulcy - 6-0" 215 - 97 tackles, 1 FF 3 PD - big hitting safety. Loves to play downhill and attack the running game. Can be overly aggressive. He is not a detriment in the passing game but he could use improvement in his coverage technique. He is likely a 4th -6th round choice on day three
3. WR Samual Brown 6'2" 200 - transfered in from WV last season and quickly got himself in the rotation 62 catches for 815 yards and 3 TDs - good size for a WR, mid 4.4 n the 40, 38 inch vertical is a fluid route runner and catches well with this hands. fights well for contested balls and is not afraid of contact. He is not overly dynamic after the catch but has enough vision to make plays and get plenty of YAC. - likely 2nd or 3rd round option
4. WR Joseph Manjack 6'3" 205 - solid WR not super speedy but extremly tough. always seems to be able to find a open spot led the team with 6 recieving TDs last season. excellent route runner and can make people miss after the catch - likely day 3 option
5 RB Parker Jenkins - 5'11" 200 - only a sophomore but as a freshman he came on late in the season and took the starting job from more experienced teammates. runs hard and shows some talent in the passing game (15 catches with no drops). he also returned 8 kickoffs for 140 yards. Not likely to be in the draft in 2025 but is a guy to watch as he progresses
others I here good things about but have not seem much since they are tranfer portal additions
Maliq Carr TE (out of Michigan State)
Kendre Gant LB (out of Louisianna)
Jeremiah Wilson CB (out of Syracuse)
