University of Houston Athletics
Hurst Named Preseason All-American, 9 on Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12 List
6/11/2026 9:00:00 AM | Football
Offensive lineman headlines Houston’s Phil Steele Magazine Preseason awards
HOUSTON – Phil Steele Magazine unveiled its Preseason All-America and All-Big 12 awards on Wednesday with senior offensive lineman Shadre Hurst headlining Houston Football's honorees while nine Cougars were named to the Preseason All-Big 12 list.
Hurst, a Sporting News All-American Second Team selection in 2025, rejoined head coach Willie Fritz after beginning his career playing for Fritz at Tulane where he was a two-time All-American Athletic Conference selection and was the top graded offensive lineman for the Green Wave in 2025. The Cartersville, Ga., native was the sixth-highest rated guard nationally a year ago and ninth-highest rated offensive lineman, both by PFF.
Hurst was one of three Cougars to earn Preseason All-Big 12 First Team honors, joined by wide receiver Amare Thomas and defensive back Will James.
Thomas earned All-America Honorable Mention honors from Phil Steele in 2025 after also being named to the All-Big 12 First Team. The Birmingham, Ala., natives 966 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns were both the most by a Cougar since 2022.
James started all 13 of Houston's games in his first season as a Cougar, earning All-Big 12 Second Team honors after leading the team in interceptions (3) turnovers gained (4) and forced fumbles (2) while also blocking a kick and recovering a blocked kick.
Defensive lineman Khalil Laufau earned Preseason Second-Team honors, tight end Patrick Overmyer earned Third-Team honors. Running back Makhi Hughes, offensive lineman Anthony Boswell, linebacker Sione Fotu and defensive back Javion White were named to the Fourth Team.
Laufau helped lead Houston's interior defensive line play that slowed opponent run games while providing seven 5+ tackle games and 10 multi-tackle games.
Overmyer, a Kingwood, Texas native, earned Freshman All-America honors at UTSA in 2024 and totaled 627 receiving yards on 58 catches and eight touchdowns at UTSA in three seasons.
Hughes, along with Hurst and White, rejoins Coach Fritz and offensive coordinator Slade Nagle after beginning his career at Tulane and then spending the 2025 season at Oregon. Hughes was a Freshman All-American at Tulane in 2023 and a two-time All-AAC First-Team selection. His 1,401 rushing yards in 2024 were the fourth-most in a single season ever at Tulane.
Boswell earned Freshman All-America First-Team honors at Toledo before transferring to Houston. The Indianapolis, Ind., native also All-MAC First Team accolades after posting the 10th best offensive grade and the third best run-block grade by FBS centers.
White, Houston's third transfer to earn Preseason All-Big 12 accolades that spent time at Tulane, was an All-AAC Third-Team selection tallied 61 tackles, 5 TFLs, 13 pass breakups and a forced fumble in his time in New Orleans.
SEASON TICKETS
University of Houston Football season tickets are on sale for the 2026 season. For as low as $150, fans can get in on the excitement of Year 3 of the Head Coach Willie Fritz era with pivotal matchups against Oregon State, Southern, UCF, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati and Baylor as the Cougars look to improve on their 10-win season in 2025.
To purchase season tickets, click here. The online seat upgrade process will begin later this year.
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.
Hurst, a Sporting News All-American Second Team selection in 2025, rejoined head coach Willie Fritz after beginning his career playing for Fritz at Tulane where he was a two-time All-American Athletic Conference selection and was the top graded offensive lineman for the Green Wave in 2025. The Cartersville, Ga., native was the sixth-highest rated guard nationally a year ago and ninth-highest rated offensive lineman, both by PFF.
Hurst was one of three Cougars to earn Preseason All-Big 12 First Team honors, joined by wide receiver Amare Thomas and defensive back Will James.
Thomas earned All-America Honorable Mention honors from Phil Steele in 2025 after also being named to the All-Big 12 First Team. The Birmingham, Ala., natives 966 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns were both the most by a Cougar since 2022.
James started all 13 of Houston's games in his first season as a Cougar, earning All-Big 12 Second Team honors after leading the team in interceptions (3) turnovers gained (4) and forced fumbles (2) while also blocking a kick and recovering a blocked kick.
Defensive lineman Khalil Laufau earned Preseason Second-Team honors, tight end Patrick Overmyer earned Third-Team honors. Running back Makhi Hughes, offensive lineman Anthony Boswell, linebacker Sione Fotu and defensive back Javion White were named to the Fourth Team.
Laufau helped lead Houston's interior defensive line play that slowed opponent run games while providing seven 5+ tackle games and 10 multi-tackle games.
Overmyer, a Kingwood, Texas native, earned Freshman All-America honors at UTSA in 2024 and totaled 627 receiving yards on 58 catches and eight touchdowns at UTSA in three seasons.
Hughes, along with Hurst and White, rejoins Coach Fritz and offensive coordinator Slade Nagle after beginning his career at Tulane and then spending the 2025 season at Oregon. Hughes was a Freshman All-American at Tulane in 2023 and a two-time All-AAC First-Team selection. His 1,401 rushing yards in 2024 were the fourth-most in a single season ever at Tulane.
Boswell earned Freshman All-America First-Team honors at Toledo before transferring to Houston. The Indianapolis, Ind., native also All-MAC First Team accolades after posting the 10th best offensive grade and the third best run-block grade by FBS centers.
White, Houston's third transfer to earn Preseason All-Big 12 accolades that spent time at Tulane, was an All-AAC Third-Team selection tallied 61 tackles, 5 TFLs, 13 pass breakups and a forced fumble in his time in New Orleans.
SEASON TICKETS
University of Houston Football season tickets are on sale for the 2026 season. For as low as $150, fans can get in on the excitement of Year 3 of the Head Coach Willie Fritz era with pivotal matchups against Oregon State, Southern, UCF, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati and Baylor as the Cougars look to improve on their 10-win season in 2025.
To purchase season tickets, click here. The online seat upgrade process will begin later this year.
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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