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The Cougars must replace tackle machine Grant Stuard, the final pick of the NFL draft, but return plenty of experience from a unit that coach Dana Holgorsen said is the "heart and soul" of the defense. Back is middle linebacker and team captain Donavan Mutin, strongside linebacker Jo'Vanni Stewart, and weakside linebacker Deontay Anderson. Mutin started only three games due to injury, a year after finishing third on the team in tackles. "We got worse on defense once (Mutin) got hurt," Holgorsen said. "We were not the same." Stewart took advantage of the bonus year due to COVID-19 to return for a sixth season, and Anderson - who is listed at 230 pounds - spent the latter part of the 2020 season and spring making the transition from safety. The trio has combined for 67 starts. "They want to be good," McDaniel said. "They want this defense to be good. They all play hard and there's a lot of experience in that room. There is a lot of football that has been played in the linebacker room specifically, and that's priceless." - Houston Chronicle

(DS#999 CB) rSr/2022

CB JoVanni Stewart, Houston
News Source: Houston Chronicle
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05/11/21 - Kody Russey, rSr/2022, Houston, 6-2, 301 (DS#16 C) + More +

For a unit that over the past handful of seasons has gone through repeated coaching turnover, been ravaged by injuries and lacked any semblance of depth, UH's offensive line will enter preseason camp with few questions. "Definitely trending in the right direction," offensive line coach Brandon Jones said of the depth. Four starting spots appear settled with the only position up for grabs at left guard between Cam'Ron Johnson (6-3, 305) and Max Banes (6-5, 310). If the season began today, Patrick Paul (6-7, 305), who missed most of last season with a lower leg injury, would start at left tackle, Louisiana Tech transfer Kody Russey (6-2, 292) at center, Texas A&M transfer Tank Jenkins (6-3, 335) at right guard and Dennis Bardwell (6-6, 305) at right tackle.

Russey, a graduate transfer, was a big pickup for the Cougars during the offseason. He was a two-time All-Conference USA and brings a wealth of experience with 44 straight starts and 3,453 career snaps. Russey considered entering the NFL draft after his senior year but did not receive the NFL grade he wanted and opted to transfer. "It was a blessing for us," Jones said. - Houston Chronicle

(DS#16 C) rSr/2022

C Kody Russey, Houston
News Source: Houston Chronicle
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05/08/21 - Christian Trahan, rSr/2023, Houston, 6-2, 256 (DS#55 FB) + More +

Tight end Christian Trahan accounted for 10 catches totaling nearly 200 yards in UH's final two games last season. Dana Holgorsen received a text message sometime last November. It was from Trevon Wesco, who played tight end for Holgorsen at West Virginia. "Quit messing around and get (No.) 85 the ball," the message read. No. 85 happens to be Christian Trahan, the starting tight end for the University of Houston. And yes, late last season, the Cougars "quit messing around" and got the talented Trahan more involved in the offense. "I tell (quarterback Clayton Tune) to throw it at him because he's going to end up catching it," Holgorsen said. Holgorsen, who is preparing to enter his third season with the Cougars, said this spring that Trahan will be used in a variety of roles in 2021. For starters, Trahan offers a reliable target in the passing game with the departure of Marquez Stevenson, a sixth-round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills, and transfers of Keith Corbin and Tre'Von Bradley. - Houston Chronicle

(DS#55 FB) rSr/2023

FB Christian Trahan, Houston
News Source: Houston Chronicle
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05/05/21 - Jaylen Erwin, rSr/2022, Houston, 5-11, 170 (DS#165 WR) + More +

Former UCLA receiver Jaylen Erwin transferred to Houston, after entering the transfer portal during the offseason. Erwin played in the first two games of the 2020 season but did not return for the final five games. Erwin was out for the longest period of time among the group of players, including starting quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who missed games due to COVID-19 contact tracing. It was never announced whether Erwin had the virus during the season. - Orange County Register

(DS#165 WR) rSr/2022

WR Jaylen Erwin, Houston
News Source: Orange County Register
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05/01/21 - Payton Turner, Sr/2021, Houston, 6-6, 268 (DS#10 DE) + More +

When it came time for the New Orleans Saints to pick Thursday night, Payton Turner was hard to miss. Turner, a 6-5, 268-pound defensive star for the University of Houston, soared into the first round and was selected by the Saints with the No. 28 pick in the NFL draft. "You're never certain that a player is going to be available and we weren't with this player," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "He's got a lot of traits we value. He was a high-energy player, prototype size. You couldn't help but notice the makeup was good."

Turner becomes the 15th first-round pick in UH history and just the fourth since 1997, joining cornerback D.J. Hayden (Raiders) in 2013, cornerback William Jackson III (Bengals) in 2016 and Ed Oliver (Bills) in 2019. Once projected as a second- or third-round pick, Turner's stock began to rise after strong showings at the Senior Bowl and UH's pro day. Earlier Thursday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that several NFL executives believed Turner could move into the first round based on his "character, medicals and length." - Houston Chronicle

(DS#10 DE) Sr/2021

DE Payton Turner, Houston
News Source: Houston Chronicle
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04/30/21 - Deontay Anderson, rSr/2022, Houston, 6-2, 218 (DS#82 OLB) + More +

Earlier this spring, Deontay Anderson sat in front of a computer screen for a video conference call. He was introduced as a "senior linebacker," which still takes some getting used to. "Sounds a little weird," Anderson said. That's to be expected as Anderson shifts from safety to linebacker for his senior season at the University of Houston. Making a position change in his final college season is probably not what Anderson envisioned when he came out of Manvel High School as the No. 1 safety in the nation for the class of 2016. "The move to linebacker last year, of course I had some doubts," Anderson said. "What's going on? As days go by, this is going to be great for me. I think it's a great fit for me and will be a great fit for the team." Anderson got a taste of playing linebacker down the stretch last season, mostly out of necessity with UH shorthanded at the position because of injuries and a coronavirus outbreak. Doug Belk, who was promoted to defensive coordinator in the offseason, approached Anderson about experimenting at linebacker. Anderson played strongside linebacker against South Florida and Memphis and filled in at weakside linebacker for the New Mexico Bowl. - Houston Chronicle

(DS#82 OLB) rSr/2022

OLB Deontay Anderson, Houston
News Source: Houston Chronicle
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04/26/21 - Maliq Carr, rSr/2025, Houston, 6-4, 250 (DS#25 TE) + More +

Maliq Carr is coming home. Carr, once a two-sport star at Oak Park, announced Friday via Instagram he is committed to Michigan State football and transferring from Purdue. His stepfather, William McMichael, said Carr also plans to play basketball for the Spartans. Associate head coach Dwayne Stephens is Carr's cousin. "That kind of helped out in his decision," said McMichael, an assistant football coach at Oak Park. "And only being an hour from home beats four hours, I can say that. I think he was a little homesick...I think it's a great opportunity. It kind of gets you excited to be around your family member at such a high level in the Big Ten. As a kid, I would be excited, too." The Free Press previously confirmed Carr, a former four-star tight end/wide receiver recruit, was entering the transfer portal. He was not on the Boilermakers' basketball team. Carr's father is Cornell Mann, an assistant basketball coach at Missouri who also worked at Central Michigan and Western Michigan. - Lansing State Journal

(DS#25 TE) rSr/2025

TE Maliq Carr, Houston
News Source: Lansing State Journal
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04/25/21 - Maliq Carr, rSr/2025, Houston, 6-4, 250 (DS#25 TE) + More +

The NCAA transfer portal continues to provide for Michigan State. A little more than a week after sources confirmed to The News that former Oak Park standout and Purdue wide receiver Maliq Carr was set to transfer to Michigan State with the intention of playing both football and basketball, the 6-foot-5, 235-pound Carr confirmed the news Friday in an Instagram post. Carr appeared in three games last season as a true freshman at Purdue, catching one pass. He went through spring practice with the Boilermakers, but according to a report from the (Lafayette, Indiana) Journal & Courier, Carr's reason for transferring was because he was promised a spot on the Boilermakers' basketball team, something that never materialized. At Oak Park, Carr was a four-star receiver, according to Rivals.com, and was ranked 35th in that nation at the position. At 247Sports.com, Carr was also a four-star prospect but was listed as the No. 4 tight end in the country. At Purdue, Carr played wide receiver, but could end up at either spot with the Spartans. - Detroit News

(DS#25 TE) rSr/2025

TE Maliq Carr, Houston
News Source: Detroit News
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04/25/21 - Mike OLaughlin, rSr/2024, Houston, 6-5, 241 (DS#50 TE) + More +

Junior Mike O'Laughlin has found himself at the center of the biggest area of schematic change in the West Virginia University football offense this spring. O'Laughlin and his fellow tight ends have been incorporated into what head coach Neal Brown calls the 12-personnel formation - one running back, two tight ends and two wideouts. But that's OK with O'Laughlin, who's been changing ever since he's arrived in Morgantown. Once a 210-pound receiver out of high school, O'Laughlin, now checking in at 6-foot-5, 257 pounds, is the leader of a tight end room that has grown exponentially in terms of responsibilities and bodies over the last few months as a tight end renaissance sweeps across college football and beyond.

"People are starting to invest in tight ends and seeing what they can do for a team and what they can do against a defense," O'Laughlin said during a Zoom media call on Thursday. "It's becoming a bigger role." It certainly is in Morgantown, as evidenced by the recruitment of Victor Wikstrom and Treylan Davis, both of whom are on campus as early enrollees as spring practice winds down, concluding with Saturday's Blue-Gold Game. That brings the number of tight ends on the Mountaineers' roster up to six, and it's no coincidence that several Big 12 teams have been at the forefront finding increased and creative roles for the position. - Charleston Gazette-Mail

(DS#50 TE) rSr/2024

TE Mike OLaughlin, Houston
News Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail
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04/24/21 - Seth Green, rSr/2022, Houston, 6-4, 242 (DS#30 TE) + More +

Former Gophers quarterback and receiver Seth Green is heading back to the state of Texas for football again. Green, who entered the transfer portal in February, announced Thursday that he is committed to Houston. He listed tight end as his position for the Cougars, who went 3-5 last season in their second year under coach Dana Holgorsen. The 6-4, 240-pound Green also played wildcat quarterback for the Gophers and finished with 15 career rushing touchdowns. He was a heavily recruited quarterback in high school, first at East Ridge and then in Allen, Texas. Green graduated from Minnesota with a degree in business, marketing and education. He was an Academic All Big Ten selection last year and won the team's Tony Dungy Award for character and community service in 2018 and 2019. - Minneapolis Star Tribune

(DS#30 TE) rSr/2022

TE Seth Green, Houston
News Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune
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04/17/21 - Maliq Carr, rSr/2025, Houston, 6-4, 250 (DS#25 TE) + More +

Former Oak Park two-sport star Maliq Carr is leaving Purdue to play a little closer to home. And by play, we mean more than just football. The Free Press has confirmed that Carr's name is in the transfer portal after just his true freshman season at Purdue. The Lafayette (Indiana) Journal & Courier reports that Carr is transferring to Michigan State to play both football and basketball. Carr, listed at 6 foot 5 and 235 pounds, played in just three games last season and had just one reception. He was a four-star prospect as a wide receiver at Oak Park, according to 247Sports, and the No. 4 tight end in the nation for the class of 2020. - Lansing State Journal

(DS#25 TE) rSr/2025

TE Maliq Carr, Houston
News Source: Lansing State Journal
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03/24/21 - Christian Trahan, rSr/2023, Houston, 6-2, 256 (DS#55 FB) + More +

Toward the end of last year's COVID-shortened season, tight end Christian Trahan became more involved in the offense, a trend that will expand this season. "He's our most productive and talented skill position player that we have right now," Holgorsen said. "That's a huge compliment to Christian." The 6-3, 245-pound Trahan is a tough matchup with reliable hands who has become a favorite target of quarterback Clayton Tune. He had 22 catches for 294 yards and three touchdowns in eight games. "We want to do a lot of different things, even more than we did with him last year," Holgorsen said. - Houston Chronicle

(DS#55 FB) rSr/2023

FB Christian Trahan, Houston
News Source: Houston Chronicle
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02/26/21 - Seth Green, rSr/2022, Houston, 6-4, 242 (DS#30 TE) + More +

One of the Gophers' favorite offensive formations will need a new cornerstone in 2021. Seth Green, a redshirt senior who has an extra year of eligibility from the pandemic, announced his decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal Thursday on social media. The Woodbury native was a bit of a positional nomad throughout his college career, going from quarterback to tight end to wide receiver to wildcat quarterback in his time with the Gophers. Green appeared in 33 games in four seasons, scoring 15 touchdowns mostly on short rushes from the wildcat formation. Gophers coach P.J. Fleck didn't often use Green as a receiver, with most of the player's experience coming in those short-yardage situations. - Minneapolis Star Tribune

(DS#30 TE) rSr/2022

TE Seth Green, Houston
News Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune
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01/28/21 - Latrell Bankston, rSr/2023, Houston, 6-0, 260 (DS#999 DE) + More +

Former Iowa State defensive lineman Latrell Bankston didn't last long with the Ragin' Cajuns before transferring elsewhere. Reached by telephone Wednesday, Bankston told The Daily Advertiser he's now at Houston and plans to stay there. He declined to comment on why decided to leave the Cajuns for the Cougars. The Cajuns announced his addition on Jan. 12. But he spent only a few days at UL before leaving, and Houston tweeted a "welcome" message about Bankston from its official football Twitter account last Friday. Bankston had 16 total tackles including 4.5 for loss with 3.5 sacks for Iowa State last season. - Daily Advertiser

(DS#999 DE) rSr/2023

DE Latrell Bankston, Houston
News Source: Daily Advertiser
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01/07/21 - Jaylen Erwin, rSr/2022, Houston, 5-11, 170 (DS#165 WR) + More +

UCLA senior wide receiver Jaylen Erwin on Tuesday became the first Bruin to enter the transfer portal in what's expected to be a busy offseason of player movement. After opening the 2020 season as a starter, Erwin made only one catch and sat out the final five games after being among a group of nine UCLA players ensnared in COVID-19 issues going into the Bruins' game against Oregon. Erwin had been one of the team's most productive receivers in 2019, making at least one catch in every game and leading the Bruins with seven catches for 63 yards against Arizona. He finished that season with 32 catches for 339 yards and two touchdowns. - Los Angeles Times

(DS#165 WR) rSr/2022

WR Jaylen Erwin, Houston
News Source: Los Angeles Times
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