Houston adds two Power 5 transfers

Dana Holgorsen got right down to business when he arrived on campus. He put together his coaching staff, and then worked on the recruiting class. A couple players from this year’s class decommitted and have moved on, giving Holgorsen some wiggle room to add recruits and transfers.

Texas A&M safety Jordan Moore and Oklahoma State safety Thabo Mwaniki announced they would be transferring to Houston. Both will have to sit out this year, but have multiple years of eligibility once they can play. Moore is a former four star recruit while Mwaniki is a former three star. It’s the second consecutive year that Houston’s added two safety transfers.

Last year, Deontay Anderson (Ole Miss) and Gleson Sprewell (Mesa C.C.) joined the Cougars and became starters. Anderson won the job out of camp, and Sprewell took over the other spot when Garrett Davis went down with an injury. Once Moore and Mwaniki can play in 2020, this should be a competitive position. Houston finished last in the country in passing yards allowed, so it’s safe to say the secondary needs some help.

Holgorsen and his staff are already proving they mean business in terms of recruiting. It sounds like they are also trying to change the minds of other Power 5 recruits to come to Houston. That fits well with what fans expect going forward. Houston is trying to separate itself from the rest of the AAC, and this is the best way to do it. Who else will Holgorsen add? There are a couple positions that could use some help.

Offensive Line

Houston could use some help on the offensive line. Will Noble and Mason Denley are gone, and this group was fairly average last year. Josh Jones, Braylon Jones and Jarrid Williams return, but two key spots (including center) need to be filled. This group needs to become more dominant, whether that’s in 2019 or in the long term.

Linebacker

Linebacker is another position that could use some help. Since Steven Taylor left, there hasn’t been a dynamic playmaker at this position. Maybe there is one in Major Applewhite’s classes, but no one has stood out in a good way. The defense as a whole struggled mightily last year, so any help provided could be useful.

Dana Holgorsen’s first additions to this class were on defense, which is a good sign. Just like last year, the offense will keep Houston in games, but it will come down to the defense. Moore and Mwaniki may not make an impact this year, but they can in the future. The new staff isn’t wasting time getting to work, and fans are hoping that translates to the field in 2019.