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Houston Football: Biggest storylines entering spring practice

By Tanner Sperry

Dec 31, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Houston Cougars wide receiver Chance Allen (21) and quarterback Greg Ward Jr. (1) celebrate after a touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles in the fourth quarter in the 2015 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. The Cougars won 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Houston Cougars wide receiver Chance Allen (21) and quarterback Greg Ward Jr. (1) celebrate after a touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles in the fourth quarter in the 2015 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. The Cougars won 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston football team put together a terrific season last year and is working hard this Spring to get back into the national spotlight.

The Houston Cougars caught a major break by holding onto head coach Tom Herman. Next season the Houston football team also returns a nice crew of returning players, including quarterback Greg Ward. Houston’s schedule will be tougher, though, so reaching a back to back New Years Six bowl will be quite the test.

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Several positions will need to be secured on both sides of the ball this spring. The offense will take a look at who they’ve got to take over for running back Kenneth Farrow. They also need to find another solid playmaker to fill in for receiver Demarcus Ayers, who departed early for the NFL.

While the offense should keep humming and the defense should at least be well-respected, the defense seems to have the biggest concerns now. While most of the defensive line and linebackers return, nearly the entire secondary will see new faces in 2016.

However, that one missing linebacker spot was filled by Elandon Roberts, easily the leading tackler for Houston in 2015.

In the secondary, only cornerback Brandon Wilson returns, who will miss spring practices due to a knee surgery, but is expected to be ready by the fall. Wilson also played running back and saw some success in 2015 at the position, so the possibility of him switching between the two sides is an option.

While Brandon Wilson is out, Howard Wilson will get the nod at corner. Rising sophomore Jeremy Winchester has a head start at the other cornerback position and was also listed as a starter late last season.

Several newcomers, including a Texas transfer with some promise named Duke Catalon, will play in the secondary. Catalon should be the guy that will take over one of the safety spots while a group of players will contend for the other spot. Houston also uses a nickel formation often, and JJ Dallas, one of the transfers, is expected to take that position.

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Either way, Houston has an uphill climb in contending for another AAC title and beyond, but that doesn’t mean major concerns can’t develop into strengths with hard work. The Cougars will close spring practices on April 16.

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