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Houston Football: Will the Cougars be “back” in 2021?

By Michael Hanich

Sep 13, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Dana Holgorsen reacts on the sideline during the second quarter against the Washington State Cougars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Dana Holgorsen reacts on the sideline during the second quarter against the Washington State Cougars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 31, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars cornerback Marcus Jones (8) and UCF Knights wide receiver Jaylon Robinson (1) during the fourth quarter at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars cornerback Marcus Jones (8) and UCF Knights wide receiver Jaylon Robinson (1) during the fourth quarter at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports /

Cougars have plenty of experienced talent returning

The biggest downfall for the Cougars last season was their lack of overall efficiency on the defensive side of the ball. They tied for 80th in the nation in points per game allowed (32) and 55th in total yards allowed per game (167.5). They allowed their opposing offenses to score 30 or more points five times this past season.

There were some good moments this past season as they got into the opposing backfield often and were efficient on third downs.

There’s good news and bad news regarding the Cougars’ defense this season. The bad news is that they will be without their leading tackler from last season in linebacker Grant Stuard. They will be without their star defensive lineman and leader in defensive end in Payton Turner, who was the first-round pick by the Saints in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Defensive coordinator Doug Belk will need high-caliber players to step up as leaders and playmakers of his defense. There are several great candidates for this role, especially in the secondary.

Replacing an NFL-caliber player such as Turner will be a tough task for the Cougars this season.

They will have three defensive linemen returning to the team as starters. Senior David Anenih returns as the strong-side defensive end while junior Derek Parish returns as the starting bandit (a two technique defensive end). Last season, Anenih and Parish accounted for 42 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. Junior Logan Hall will return as the starting three-technique defensive tackle. Hall started in seven of the eight games last season. He is a disruptive defensive tackle, who can constantly get in the backfield.

Houston expects to split reps at the nose guard position between senior Olivier Charles-Pierre and Iowa State transfer Latrell Bankston.

The Cougars return two of their three linebackers from a defense ranked 66th in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (167.5). They will return junior Donavan Mutin, the team captain from last season. He started all 12 games at Mike linebacker in 2019 and three games from this past season before suffering an injury. He will be the Cougars’ defensive leader once again this upcoming season.

Both their starting outside linebackers also return from last season. At strong-side linebacker, senior JoVanni Stewart is back as one of their main playmakers. Last season, he accounted for 17 total tackles, and 3.5 tackles for loss. Their other outside linebacker in Deontay Anderson returns at the weak-side linebacker of the defense, where he is a strong contributor in zone coverage. Last season, he had for 26 total tackles, one sack, and three pass breakups.

This season, the Cougars return one of the most talented secondaries in the AAC. Only one of the starters returning is a senior in Damarion Williams, who accounted for 27 total tackles and seven pass breakups. Their other returning cornerback, junior Marcus Jones, is regarded one as one of the best man coverage defenders in the AAC and the Group of Five. He accounted for four pass breakups and one interception last season.

Houston returns its young starting safeties from last season in junior free safety Gervarrius Owens and sophomore strong safety Hasaan Hypolite.

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