As college football enters Week 6, the quest for perfection intensifies, with only a handful of teams still standing unblemished. Only 5 in the SEC: Ole Miss, Missouri, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, and Texas A&M — remain with flawless records.
For many of these SEC squads, their offensive dynamics hinge on transfer quarterbacks eager to craft memorable legacies while making the best out of their new homes. However, that transfer pipeline flows both ways, as is the case with former 5-star Texas A&M QB Conner Weigman, who is now at Houston.
In just his second season at Houston, head coach Willie Fritz aims to maximize the potential of his roster amid a wealth of local talent. Historically rich in football prospects, the Houston area has seen many athletes venture elsewhere; however, this year marks a turning point for the Cougars. Now 4-0 (1-0 in the Big 12), they have an opportunity to make waves if they maintain their current trajectory. Now that they’ve secured their place in the Big 12 Conference, aspirations — including a shot at the College Football Playoff — are within reach. But they also must avoid looking too far ahead.
The adage “defense wins championships” holds some truth; however, in today’s high-octane game, neglecting offensive prowess can spell disaster. The Cougars recognized this need for balance and sought change by bringing in familiar faces like former LSU coach Slade Nagle as their OC and crucially — a quarterback capable of delivering both skill and leadership.
In a landscape filled with quarterback options — from nurturing young talent to tapping into the transfer portal — the key lies in finding someone who embodies both talent and compatibility.
Conner Weigman was a standout recruit during the 2022 cycle who became part of that exclusive 5-star club. Standing tall at 6-3 and hailing from Bridgeland High School just down the road, Weigman was ranked as the No. 22 overall recruit and No. 2 quarterback nationally, making waves as one of Texas’s top prospects. Despite receiving numerous offers from Power 4 programs across the country — including those in the SEC — Weigman chose to stay close to home in College Station.
As a freshman at Texas A&M, he earned his starting position and made headlines during his debut against Ole Miss by setting an Aggie true-freshman record with an impressive 338 passing yards and 4 touchdowns on 28 completions out of 44 attempts. His remarkable performance that season would earn him ESPN Freshman All-American honors.
His story seemed destined for cinematic SEC glory but his journey took an unexpected turn plagued by injuries and challenges. Last season marked a pivotal moment when head Aggie coach Mike Elko made the tough decision to pull him from the second half of a game, ultimately redirecting Weigman’s path.
By December 2024, Weigman found himself entering the transfer portal in search of a fresh start — a narrative familiar to many elite quarterbacks who have faced their share of struggles. However, he still had plenty left to prove if he could find the right fit. The answer came quickly: staying close to home, he decided to join the Houston Cougars in the Big 12.
But potential alone doesn’t guarantee victories on the field. Both Weigman and the Cougars embraced this new chapter with nothing to lose. “I promise I never flinched at adversity,” he declared. “I stared it in the eyes and went to work every single day this summer. It’s been a blessing since I got here.”
As Week 6 approaches, it appears that their investment is paying off just in time. “It feels good — the trust I have in my teammates and coaches,” Weigman shared. “I love coming here every day and putting it all on the line for my brothers. I feel like we all do that for each other. When you do that as a team, good things happen.”
Primed for Primetime
The transition from SEC football to the Big 12 has proven beneficial for both Weigman and his team, allowing him to regain his health and confidence. Before their bye week, he showcased his skills with an impressive performance — throwing for 222 yards while rushing for 83 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns against Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes, leading Houston to a resounding 36-20 victory at TDECU Stadium.
“We were clicking on all cylinders… that’s how it has to be every week.” Weigman said.
His skill set has translated seamlessly onto the field with added mobility; however, both he and his teammates recognize there’s still much work ahead — one game at a time. Remarkably, through 4 games this season, they’ve yet to turn over the ball while keeping their prized quarterback clean in the pocket — a testament to significant offensive growth from last year.
“I tell my O-line and receivers before every game that I’m going to put everything on the line for them,” said Weigman. “In return, they do that for me. That’s what good teams do — they play hard for each other.”
Yet it’s under pressure where Weigman’s true grit shines brightest; even when facing adversity without adequate protection in the pocket, he remains undeterred: “You’ve got to go get it — stick your nose in, get a yard, whatever it takes.”
In the first 3 games of the season, Weigman faced pressure on 43 out of his 85 drop-backs — an astonishing rate for college football, especially when most players only encounter such stress about 43% of the time. But Weigman didn’t flinch — going 16 for 32 under pressure without turning the ball over showcases the toughness and talent he brings to this team.
“It takes what it takes,” Weigman said. “This game isn’t going to stop for anyone, so you’ve got to go in and execute. That’s why practice is so important; you need those good mental reps. You never know what’s going to happen — like today, when people stepped up and played their hearts out.”
Despite their success, the Houston Cougars still find themselves flying under the radar in the Big 12, overshadowed by teams like Texas Tech. Many skeptics believe they’re living on borrowed time, yet Weigman and his teammates refuse to be swayed by external doubts. Instead, they confront adversity head-on, ready to battle alongside one another because, as Weigman emphasizes, the game stops for no one.
Conquer in Corvallis
Under the lights this past Friday evening, the Cougars hit the road to Corvallis for a real test against a hungry Oregon State team looking for redemption. Talk about a battle — it seemed so many times that the Cougars were in for a long plane ride back to H-Town. The Beavers were in the driver’s seat until the fourth quarter. Oregon State’s Trey Glasper gave Weigman his first interception of the season and would run it back. Eventually Jake Reichle would finish it up for a touchdown to put the Beavers on the board. By the fourth, Houston trailed 24-10 but it’s not over until it’s over. Conner Weigman threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Stephon Johnson with 5:59 to go. The Cougar offense didn’t skip a beat and tied it with another Weigman 50 yarder to TE Tanner Koziol with 3:40 in regulation.
Oregon State would get in field-goal range with 5 seconds in regulation but their 46-yard attempt would get blocked by Houston, sending it to OT. The Beavers never really regained their footing to seal the game. Their 4th-and-1 play failed in OT eventually letting Ethan Sanchez seal the deal with a field goal to win the game 27-24 in Corvallis.
Weigman threw for 270 yards and 2 long fourth-quarter touchdowns to put the Cougars at 4-0, which is their best start since 2016, when they were 5-0. With this win, it now sets up quite the stage as they return home in a week for a Big 12 showdown with the No. 12 Texas Tech Red Raiders (4-0, 1-0 Big 12). The Red Raiders have been viewed on a tier of their own as far as the Big 12 is concerned following a convincing win at Utah, but that could now change with a dangerous trip to Houston. The Cougars are learning to find a way to win ball games one way or another.
While Weigman may not have found everything he sought in the SEC, he has undoubtedly discovered what he needs right at home with the Cougars in the Big 12. Don’t be surprised if Willie Fritz and this ball club prove to be a surprise contender in the Big 12.
Kickoff is set for TDECU Stadium in Houston on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. ET.
Lee Ann joins the Saturday Down South team, bringing over fifteen years of experience covering the SEC as both a sports journalist and football scout. With her keen eye for talent, she has also flexes her skills as the Director of Recruiting for the Rebel Walk( Ole Miss) Herring, is a staff writer at USA Today Sports Wildcats Wire, where she dives into the thrilling world of Kentucky football and basketball. When fall rolls around, you can catch her on air as an analyst for the Wake up 502 College Football Show on Big X Sports Radio 96.1 FM—because who doesn't love a good game day chat? A proud Brown University alum, Lee Ann balances her time between the sidelines and press box with her passion for coaching her boys' youth lacrosse and savoring a fine glass of bourbon alongside a good cigar. So, whether she's dissecting plays or rallying the next generation of athletes, Lee Ann is your spirited insider ready to tackle all things SEC!
