Houston Cougars On SI

Houston Cougars Add Cornerback Depth From Transfer Portal

The Cougars add a new transfer cornerback from a nearby Texas school.
Maanav Gupta|
Nov 22, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars defensive back Will James (15) celebrates with defensive back Kentrell Webb (8) after an interception during the second quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Nov 22, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars defensive back Will James (15) celebrates with defensive back Kentrell Webb (8) after an interception during the second quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

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Houston Cougars

The Houston Cougars football team had a tremendously successful turnaround season. After going 10-3 and winning the Texas Bowl over LSU last weekend, Houston football is back to relevance on the national stage.

Head coach Willie Fritz and his program are looking to take another step forward in 2026, and that begins in the transfer portal. 

Houston’s defense was a solid unit last season and had some big playmakers in the secondary. The Cougars are losing top corner Latrell McCutchin Sr. to the NFL Draft and will be looking to add more depth at that position. 

On Sunday, Houston added a cornerback to their depth. While Fritz’s Tulane connection has drawn plenty of former players to the Cougars, it is likely that an assistant defensive coach made this under-the-radar move possible. 

A New Cougars Corner

Houston Cougars football
Oct 25, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Houston Cougars defensive back Will James (15) and Latrell McCutchin Sr. (1) celebrate after breaking up a pass intended for Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jaren Hamilton (16) in the second half at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Jalen Mayo, a redshirt junior cornerback who is transferring from Stephen F. Austin, announced his commitment to Houston on Sunday afternoon. Mayo played in seven games for the Lumberjacks this season and snagged four interceptions, nine pass deflections, 47 total tackles, and one forced fumble. 

The Hampton, Virginia native initially played three seasons for Virginia Union University, a Division II HBCU school, before transferring to SFA in 2025. Mayo now takes the next step in his career to a Power Four school right next door. 

The 6-foot-1, 184-lb corner could probably be a good depth piece for the Cougars. Mayo follows his cornerbacks/secondaries coach, Marcus Trice, to Houston, a big reason why he likely transferred. Trice is even pictured in his commitment announcement on X. The SFA secondary was one of the better units in the Southland Conference, and this former Lumberjacks pairing looks to make their impact at the Big 12 level. 

Houston will still be looking for another top cornerback to replace McCutchin Sr., who did a tremendous job and complemented Fritz as an NFL talent. 

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Maanav Gupta
MAANAV GUPTA

Maanav Gupta is a staff writer for Houston Cougars on SI. He graduated from the University of Houston in the summer of 2025 with his bachelor’s in journalism and a minor in Spanish. Gupta spent three years at the student newspaper, The Daily Cougar, and also covered the 2025 Final Four and National Championship as Houston beat writer for College Basketball Review. He also has his own YouTube channel, Maanav’s Sports Talk, where he has interviewed professional athletes and broadcasters like Jim Nantz, Jose Altuve, J.J. Watt, Rich Eisen, and Alperen Sengun. Gupta was also a contributor to the Houston athletic program as a student. You can find Gupta on X, Instagram and TikTok @MGSportsTalk.

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