Houston Football: Two-deep 2017 depth chart projection
By Zach Bigalke
Receivers
Starting receivers: Linell Bonner, Keith Corbin, Steven Dunbar
Backups: Courtney Lark, Terry Mark, John Leday
Chance Allen is gone from last year’s team, but otherwise the core group of receivers remains from the 2016 Cougars. Linell Bonner, the 2016 team leader in receptions and receiving yards per game, returns for his senior season. So does Steven Dunbar, another senior who had the most receiving touchdowns among returning players.
Marquez Stevenson looked like a possibility to gain an increased role, but an ACL injury will keep him out for the 2017 season. Isaiah Johnson transitioned to cornerback for the Cougars this season. That means sophomore Keith Corbin could be the favorite to take over in three-receiver sets.
He will be pushed for reps by fellow sophomores Courtney Lark and Terry Mark, who had fewer opportunities to take the field last season. Along with John Leday, who received a medical redshirt in 2013 and was also injured through the 2014 season, Houston has a deep receiving corps that includes both experience and upside.
Starting tight end: Romello Brooker
Backups: Alex Leslie
With the loss of two-year starter Tyler McCloskey, who is now a rookie with the San Francisco 49ers, the Cougars need new stars to step up at tight end. McCloskey was a TE/fullback hybrid, although that isn’t a prerequisite. Instead look for players like Romello Brooker, who saw time in 12 games last year, to step up their game in other ways. Brooker and former Iowa State transfer Alex Leslie, who will hopefully be recovered from a leg injury suffered in spring practices, will be counted on to replicate the skill set McCloskey brought to the table.