The Houston Cougars were one of several major programs to hire new head coaches during the summer of 2026. Thus, that, coupled with pro losses, means that the roster for Houston’s 2027 schedule will be quite different.
A Look at the Returnees
As far as returning hitters, there’s not much to speak of for the Houston Cougars. That is no shock, as Will Davis took over the head coaching job from Todd Whitting this past spring. So, plenty of new faces for both the offense and pitching staff.
Tre Broussard was an expected loss, as he was one of the best junior college outfielders from the 2026 DI college season. However, Xavier Perez (Texas Tech), Connor Udland (Arkansas), and Jackson LaLima (Coastal Carolina) were among the many players to transfer out of Houston during the summer.
There are some players still with the Cougars from last year’s squad. Former Texas Longhorn Easton Winfield batted .200/.347/.375 with two home runs in 21 games, while Will Van Wie only played 12 games and accrued just 12 at-bats.
A Look at the Newcomers
Houston nabbed two players from the Maryland Terrapins’ exodus after 2026: outfielder Nate Hawton-Henley and catcher Franklin Pichardo Jr.
Pichardo only played eight games for the Terps in 2026 but did well, as he slashed .409/.458/.727 with two home runs and three extra-base hits. Hawton-Henley was one of two key freshman outfielders for Maryland. Now a sophomore, he batted .364 over 38 games and walked (15) almost as many times as he struck out (20).
Former EKU outfielder David Alvarez led the Colonels in hits (70) and RBI (49) last season, one that saw the now-senior hit eight home runs and 26 extra-base hits.
Houston also poached Khaleel Pratt, who hit 11 home runs and 23 extra-base hits over 54 games as a freshman with Eastern Kentucky.
Zahir Barjam didn’t see much time in the West Virginia infield during the 2026 season. Barjam moved to Houston after he played in just 25 games, slashing .273/.306/.394 with four extra-base hits.
Aaron Grant hit very well with Arkansas-Pine Bluff with 70 hits in 54 games, 24 of which were extra-base hits. Grant also walked 27 times over 54 contests.
Sophomore Garrett Hutchins hit .376 in the Mountain West last year, albeit in a short 27-game stint. Hutchins had 13 extra-base hits for Air Force, nine of which were doubles.
Catcher Carson Willis played just one game with Arkansas in 2026. That lone game came on February 24 against Arkansas State, in which he went 0-for-3. It was the only game that Willis played with the Razorbacks.
Houston grabbed another catcher, Jake Wagoner, from Lamar. Wagoner slashed .341/.412/.450 with 11 extra-base hits.
As far as new pitchers are concerned, there are plenty of them. Alex Yearwood struck out 24 over 14 innings for Texas State last season, while Garrett Snyder struck out nine over seven in his freshman campaign with Notre Dame. Limited sample size but he did pop a low-90s fastball with some carry, plus a sweeping breaking ball.
Andrew Rondini had success getting outs as a reliever with Rutgers last season. The now-junior struck out 20 over 25.1 IP and posted a stellar 2.16 ERA for the Scarlet Knights.
David Roberts, for Saint Mary’s, struck out 30 over 30 out of the bullpen for a Gaels team that made it to the 2026 NCAA tourney last year.
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