“It’s when you start having injuries, you plug people in and consistently are able to compete.” “The biggest difference in what you’re looking at in the (American Athletic Conference) and what you’re looking at in the Big 12 is what those second- and third-team guys look like,” Holgorsen said on signing day in February. How UH’s roster looks, Holgorsen said, goes beyond just those in the starting lineup. “David is a good-looking human being,” Holgorsen said. At 212 pounds, Mathis, the Mountaineers’ leading rusher in 2022, looks like a Big 12-built power back. Smith, a 6-foot-5, 241-pound dual-threat quarterback, threw for nearly 3,000 yards in 21 career games at Tech. Ugwoegbu, an All-Big 12 pick and OU’s second-leading tackler last season, is 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds. Smith, Ugwoegbu and Mathis fit exactly into how Holgorsen is trying to makeover the roster. All three played significant roles at previous schools and will be counted on immediately. This offseason UH has added quarterback Donovan Smith (Texas Tech), defensive end David Ugwoegbu (Oklahoma) and running back Tony Mathis Jr.

The quickest way to construct a roster with Big 12-quality players and close the talent gap has been through the transfer portal, where the Cougars have loaded up in recent years.

It’s also a familiar process for Holgorsen, who has 16 years in the conference as an assistant coach at Texas Tech and Oklahoma State and seven of his eight seasons as head coach at West Virginia. That has been the philosophy the last two years since UH accepted an invitation to join the Big 12.

Php time difference in minutes