The college football season unofficially begins this Tuesday with the start of the two-day Big 12 football media days at Allegiant Stadium. New University of Houston coach Willie Fritz, along with quarterback Donovan Smith, offensive lineman Tank Jenkins, linebacker Jamal Morris, and defensive back Latrel McCutchin Sr., will be in the spotlight on Wednesday.
This event in Vegas marks the official debut of the Big 12 as a 16-team conference, with the recent additions of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah.
The Utes were selected as the preseason favorite in the media poll released last week. The University of Houston’s preseason camp begins in early August, with the season opener scheduled for August 31 against UNLV at TDECU Stadium.
Question: Once the Memorial Hermann Football Operations Center is completed, will the team be using the visitors’ tunnel where the new locker room is located? Also, if they do use the visitors’ tunnel, will that affect the pregame Cougar walk route? — @SpaceCoog via X
JD: According to the previous athletic administration, the plan was for the Cougars’ stadium entrance to switch to the visitors’ tunnel on the west side of TDECU Stadium once the construction of the new football facility is finished. This change would mean visiting teams would use the current home locker room starting from the 2025 season. There may be alterations to the game-day Cougar Walk route, but no official plans have been announced.
Question: With the signing of Keisean Henderson for the class of 2025, will this open the door to more four- and five-star recruits in the future? — @TahoeSupreme via X
JD: Coach Willie Fritz has emphasized the importance of recruiting, particularly in the Greater Houston region and Louisiana. Henderson, a four-star quarterback from Legacy School of Sport Sciences, is a significant addition to Fritz’s 2026 class, which is currently ranked 18th nationally and is the highest among Big 12 schools according to the 247Sports composite rankings. Henderson’s commitment could potentially attract more high-profile local prospects to UH. The 2025 class, which includes top recruits such as Jasper four-star defensive tackle Demetris Dean and Mansfield Summit four-star defensive lineman Travis Buhake, is currently ranked No. 42 nationally.
Question: Why doesn’t UH use the Jumpman Jordan logo on their football jersey like they do on their basketball uniform? The logo would be a distinguished symbol since there are no other Big 12 teams that Nike allows them to use? — @SBS701 via X
JD: Although UH is sponsored by the Jordan brand in men’s and women’s basketball, the partnership does not extend to the football program. Only 13 schools, including UH, wear the Jumpman logo in men’s basketball, with an even smaller group for football, including schools like Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Oklahoma, and Howard.
Q: In what sport could a UT and UH game happen in the next decade? — John Lofaro via Facebook
JD: After their 2023 game, it is unlikely that the two schools will meet on the football field again in the near
Question: Will the University of Houston have a new athletic director by the time of the Big 12 football media day? What are your predictions for the team’s performance in the Big 12, better or worse than 15th place?
JD: The University of Houston’s search for a new athletic director has been slow due to travel schedules, following the firing of Chris Pezman on June 20. However, progress was made last week as the school enlisted the help of a search firm, TurnkeyZRG, and potential candidates have expressed their interest in the job. With university president Renu Khator back in town, the search is expected to gain momentum this week, and a hire is likely within the next 10 to 14 days.
Regarding the team’s performance, the saying goes, “The Cougars can only go up from here.” Despite being picked next to last in the media preseason poll, there is a chance for the Cougars to surprise some people. However, patience will be needed in the first year under Fritz, especially with a schedule ranked as the fifth-toughest in the nation. Most betting sites have set the Cougars’ over/under on wins at four, and I predict it will be under.
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