The Cougars lose nearly all of their starting skill position players from last year, but return quarterback D’Eriq King, who emerged as the starter and figured in 15 touchdowns (seven passing, eight rushing) in 2017. Quarterback Quinten Dormady, a graduate transfer from Tennessee, could be in the mix behind center as well. Dormady the first five games of the 2017 season for the Volunteers before suffering a season-ending injury. Center Will Noble is a four-year starter who anchors a veteran offensive line. Noble, who has made 32 career starts, joins offensive guard Braylon Jones (17 career starts) and offensive tackle Josh Jones (23 career starts) as proven players up front.

Defensive tackle Ed Oliver was chosen as the nation’s top college football player for the 2018 season by Sports Illustrated. Oliver won the 2017 Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior lineman, was a consensus All- America selection and was named The American’s Defensive Player of the Year. Defensive end Jerard Carter returns to the lineup after seeing his 2017 season limited to five games and two starts due to injury. Carter played in 11 games, with eight starts, and had 20 tackles in the 2016 season. Safety Garrett Davis, who earned all-conference second-team plaudits in 2016, is the top returner in the secondary.

The Cougars have registered two 13-win seasons since 2011. Houston has gone 18-2 at TDECU Stadium in the last three seasons. Houston has gone 7-5 against nationally ranked opponents as an American Athletic Conference member. The seven wins against ranked opponents are the most of any team in The American.