HOUSTON – Six University of Houston Football players were named to the Athlon Sports All-Big 12 Team in the publication’s magazine released on Tuesday. Headlined by First-Team selection wide receiver Mekhi Mews, defensive lineman Carlos Allen Jr., tight end Tanner Koziol, running back Dean Connors, wide receiver Stephon Johnson and defensive back Kentrell Webb were named All-Big 12.
Mews, who was named a First-Team Specialist by Athlon Sports, led Houston in all-purpose yards in 2024 with 607 yards and ran back a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown vs. Rice (9/14/24). The senior posted 132 punt return yards and finished third on the team with a single-season best 253 receiving yards. The Grayson, Ga., native added 207 kick return yards on eight kick returns including a season-long 37-yard return vs. Baylor.
Allen Jr., a Second-Team Defense selection, is coming off a year on the interior defensive line where he posted an 84.4 run-defense grade by PFF which led all Big 12 interior linemen and posted 2.5 sacks while finishing seventh on the team with 43 tackles. The defensive lineman’s 84.4 run-defense grade ranked eighth among Power 4 interior linemen and was the highest grade by a Big 12 interior lineman since 2022. The Atlanta, Ga., native recorded 5+ tackles in three games and was 17th nationally with two fumble recoveries.
Koziol, a Third-Team Offense honoree, joined the Cougars after three seasons at Ball State and 2025 spring practices at Wisconsin. At Ball State he was a HERO Sports Group of 5 All-America First-Team selection after catching the fourth-most passes per game (7.8) and breaking multiple Ball State records in 2024. One of two newcomers on the All-Big 12 team, Koziol was All-MAC Second Team in 2024, Third Team in 2023 and First Team in 2022.
Connors, who was named Fourth-Team Offense after making the long-distance transfer from cross-town rival Rice in the offseason, enters with 16 career rushing touchdowns and over 1,600 yards of rushing yards across three seasons for the Owls. The Kamuela, Hawai’i, native was a back-to-back American Athletic Conference All-Conference Honorable Mention selection where he had 13 100+ scrimmage yard games – ranking 15th nationally – and five 100-yard rushing games. Connors scored the Owls’ lone touchdown against Houston in the Cougars 33-7 win over Rice (9/14/24).
Johnson, a Fourth-Team Offense pick at wide receiver, led Houston in receiving yards a year ago with 402 yards on 32 catches, including a team single-game high 70 yards at Arizona (11/15/24). The Houston native posted four 50+ yard receiving games, including three in a row to conclude the season. Johnson hauled in two touchdown receptions – a 44-yard touchdown vs. Rice (9/14/24) and a 21-yard score vs. Utah (10/26/24).
Webb, selected to the Fourth-Team Defense, enters the season as the Cougars leading returning tackler after a 54-tackle season last year. The 54 tackles ranked sixth in the Big 12 among underclassmen defensive backs in 12 starts in his first season at Houston while playing the most snaps on defense on the team. The Katy, Texas native earned PFF Big 12 Team of the Week after his performance at #15/13 Oklahoma (9/7/24).
The Cougars are set to kick-off the 2025 season at TDECU Stadium against Stephen F. Austin on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
TWO-GAME MINI PLAN
Want some flexibility? Buy a two-game mini-plan which includes the Colorado game and one game of your choice between Stephen F. Austin, Texas Tech, Arizona, West Virginia or TCU. Mini plans start at just $85. To purchase a mini-plan, click here.
SEASON TICKETS
University of Houston Football season tickets are on sale for the 2025 season. For as low as $150, fans can get in on the excitement of Year 2 of the Head Coach Willie Fritz era with pivotal matchups against Stephen F. Austin, Colorado, Texas Tech, Arizona, West Virginia and TCU. To purchase season tickets, click here.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH’s very own NIL collective and by joining 46ers and 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.
Mews, who was named a First-Team Specialist by Athlon Sports, led Houston in all-purpose yards in 2024 with 607 yards and ran back a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown vs. Rice (9/14/24). The senior posted 132 punt return yards and finished third on the team with a single-season best 253 receiving yards. The Grayson, Ga., native added 207 kick return yards on eight kick returns including a season-long 37-yard return vs. Baylor.
Allen Jr., a Second-Team Defense selection, is coming off a year on the interior defensive line where he posted an 84.4 run-defense grade by PFF which led all Big 12 interior linemen and posted 2.5 sacks while finishing seventh on the team with 43 tackles. The defensive lineman’s 84.4 run-defense grade ranked eighth among Power 4 interior linemen and was the highest grade by a Big 12 interior lineman since 2022. The Atlanta, Ga., native recorded 5+ tackles in three games and was 17th nationally with two fumble recoveries.
Koziol, a Third-Team Offense honoree, joined the Cougars after three seasons at Ball State and 2025 spring practices at Wisconsin. At Ball State he was a HERO Sports Group of 5 All-America First-Team selection after catching the fourth-most passes per game (7.8) and breaking multiple Ball State records in 2024. One of two newcomers on the All-Big 12 team, Koziol was All-MAC Second Team in 2024, Third Team in 2023 and First Team in 2022.
Connors, who was named Fourth-Team Offense after making the long-distance transfer from cross-town rival Rice in the offseason, enters with 16 career rushing touchdowns and over 1,600 yards of rushing yards across three seasons for the Owls. The Kamuela, Hawai’i, native was a back-to-back American Athletic Conference All-Conference Honorable Mention selection where he had 13 100+ scrimmage yard games – ranking 15th nationally – and five 100-yard rushing games. Connors scored the Owls’ lone touchdown against Houston in the Cougars 33-7 win over Rice (9/14/24).
Johnson, a Fourth-Team Offense pick at wide receiver, led Houston in receiving yards a year ago with 402 yards on 32 catches, including a team single-game high 70 yards at Arizona (11/15/24). The Houston native posted four 50+ yard receiving games, including three in a row to conclude the season. Johnson hauled in two touchdown receptions – a 44-yard touchdown vs. Rice (9/14/24) and a 21-yard score vs. Utah (10/26/24).
Webb, selected to the Fourth-Team Defense, enters the season as the Cougars leading returning tackler after a 54-tackle season last year. The 54 tackles ranked sixth in the Big 12 among underclassmen defensive backs in 12 starts in his first season at Houston while playing the most snaps on defense on the team. The Katy, Texas native earned PFF Big 12 Team of the Week after his performance at #15/13 Oklahoma (9/7/24).
The Cougars are set to kick-off the 2025 season at TDECU Stadium against Stephen F. Austin on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
TWO-GAME MINI PLAN
Want some flexibility? Buy a two-game mini-plan which includes the Colorado game and one game of your choice between Stephen F. Austin, Texas Tech, Arizona, West Virginia or TCU. Mini plans start at just $85. To purchase a mini-plan, click here.
SEASON TICKETS
University of Houston Football season tickets are on sale for the 2025 season. For as low as $150, fans can get in on the excitement of Year 2 of the Head Coach Willie Fritz era with pivotal matchups against Stephen F. Austin, Colorado, Texas Tech, Arizona, West Virginia and TCU. To purchase season tickets, click here.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH’s very own NIL collective and by joining 46ers and 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.