Four Houston Cougars Named to Associated Press All-Big 12 Team
The awards keep coming for the Houston Cougars football team, which has had its best season since 2021, finishing with a 9-3 record and securing a fourth-place spot in the Big 12 Conference.
While Houston still has one game left, the Texas Bowl against LSU on December 27, the accolades have been pouring in since the regular season concluded just over two weeks ago. A total of 11 Cougars earned recognition from the Big 12, and four players have also been named to the Associated Press All-Big 12 Team.
Cougars on the AP All-Big 12 Team
The standout player for Houston on the AP All-Big 12 First Team is junior wide receiver Amare Thomas. A transfer from UAB, Thomas was expected to contribute significantly to the Cougars’ revamped receiving corps, but his performance exceeded expectations. He was previously named to the All-Big 12 Second Team but earned a spot on the AP First Team and was also recognized on PFF’s All-Big 12 First Team.
Thomas, who stands 6-foot and weighs 205 pounds, racked up 906 receiving yards on 59 catches and scored 10 touchdowns. He finished second in the Big 12 in both receiving yards and touchdowns. If Thomas has a strong showing in the Texas Bowl, he could surpass 1,000 yards in his first season with Houston. His chemistry with junior quarterback Connor Weigman has been evident and should continue into next season.
Three other Cougars were named to the AP All-Big 12 Second Team. Senior tight end Tanner Koziol, a standout throughout the season, was a widely recognized player and made the list. Expected to be one of the nation’s top tight ends, Koziol has lived up to that billing, also earning a spot on the official All-Big 12 First Team.
Koziol led all FBS tight ends with 65 receptions and ranked third in receiving yards for tight ends with 651 yards. His five receiving touchdowns were among the top 10 nationally for his position. The 6-foot-7 Koziol also made 17 contested catches, the most by any tight end, and is one of just two tight ends with at least 50 catches and five touchdowns.
On defense, senior defensive lineman Carlos Allen Jr. was a key contributor. The 6-foot-1, 295-pound disruptor finished the season with 75 tackles, ranking second nationally and leading all Big 12 defensive linemen. It was also the most tackles recorded by an interior lineman in the FBS. Allen Jr. also recorded 27 run stops, the most by any interior defensive lineman in FBS.
Senior cornerback Latrell McCutchin Sr. rounded out the Cougars on the AP All-Big 12 Second Team. As one of the best players in Houston’s secondary, McCutchin Sr. started all 12 games and had a career-best season. He posted personal highs in tackles (37), pass breakups (3), and even blocked a kick on special teams. McCutchin Sr. also forced a fumble and proved to be a reliable, consistent cornerback. Head coach Willie Fritz has praised McCutchin Sr.’s future prospects, believing he can play at the next level.
After a quiet year of individual recognition in 2024, the Cougars are now reaping the rewards of their successful 2025 campaign with these well-deserved honors.
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