University of Houston Athletics
Five Sign Free Agent Contracts
4/25/2026 8:48:00 PM | Football
Former Cougars sign with four teams following draft
PITTSBURGH – Following seven rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, five former Cougar standouts signed undrafted free agent contracts with four different NFL teams on Saturday.
Defensive backs Latrell McCutchin Sr., and Zelmar Vedder signed with the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively. McCutchin led the Cougars with 10 pass breakups in 2025 while earning All-Big 12 Second Team accolades. Vedder finished third on the team with seven pass breakups and posted some of the best Pro Day numbers in the league with a 39.5 vertical a league-best 10 foot, 10 inch broad jump, and a 4.51 40-yard dash time.
Defensive linemen Carlos Allen Jr., and Eddie Walls III signed with the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Rams, respectively. Allen led FBS interior linemen with 80 tackles and finished second on the team with 7.5 tackles for loss. Walls paced Houston's defense with 11.5 tackles for loss with 30 PFF grade "stops" which ranked in the top 40 nationally. For Allen, the signing is a return home to Atlanta.
At running back, Dean Connors signed with the Rams, joining Walls in the City of Angels. Connors earned All-Big 12 Fourth Team honors by the Associated Press after rushing for 977 yards and six touchdowns. Connors' 977 rushing yards were the most by a Cougar back since 2014.
The five join Tanner Koziol as players drafted or signed on Saturday by NFL organizations. Koziol was drafted in the 5th round of the NFL Draft.
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Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by providing NIL opportunities and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
Defensive backs Latrell McCutchin Sr., and Zelmar Vedder signed with the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively. McCutchin led the Cougars with 10 pass breakups in 2025 while earning All-Big 12 Second Team accolades. Vedder finished third on the team with seven pass breakups and posted some of the best Pro Day numbers in the league with a 39.5 vertical a league-best 10 foot, 10 inch broad jump, and a 4.51 40-yard dash time.
Defensive linemen Carlos Allen Jr., and Eddie Walls III signed with the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Rams, respectively. Allen led FBS interior linemen with 80 tackles and finished second on the team with 7.5 tackles for loss. Walls paced Houston's defense with 11.5 tackles for loss with 30 PFF grade "stops" which ranked in the top 40 nationally. For Allen, the signing is a return home to Atlanta.
At running back, Dean Connors signed with the Rams, joining Walls in the City of Angels. Connors earned All-Big 12 Fourth Team honors by the Associated Press after rushing for 977 yards and six touchdowns. Connors' 977 rushing yards were the most by a Cougar back since 2014.
The five join Tanner Koziol as players drafted or signed on Saturday by NFL organizations. Koziol was drafted in the 5th round of the NFL Draft.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by providing NIL opportunities and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
–– UHCougars.com ––
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