Second in a position-by-position series looking at the 2016 Houston Cougars:
• Who’s back: Javin Webb, Kaliq Kokuma, Josh Burrell, Kevrin Justice
• Who’s gone: Kenneth Farrow, Ryan Jackson
• Newcomers: Duke Catalon (transfer), Davon Crookshank (transfer), Mulbah Car (commit)
Former Texas running back Duke Catalon could help fill the hole created with the departure of Kenneth Farrow and Ryan Jackson. (AP)
• What to expect: This is one of the hardest hit areas with the graduation of Kenneth Farrow, who rushed for nearly 3,000 yards in his career, and top reserve Ryan Jackson. The cupboard is hardly bare, although there are some unknowns with the arrival of Catalon and Crookshank, who sat out last season following transfers. Catalon, a former four-star recruit ranked the No. 10 running back in the nation for the class of 2014 out of Eisenhower, left Texas after one season and has three years eligibility left. He appears to be the top candidate among the newcomers to see immediate action in the backfield. Among true backs, Webb, a junior, is the Cougars’ top returner with 277 yards and four touchdowns in four games. Kaliq Kokuma, who will be a sophomore, saw limited action in three games last season. Justice and Burrell did not see action as true freshmen. Keep an eye on incoming true freshman Car, who set the Austin Independent School District all-time rushing mark with 4,508 yards. There is also a matter of how the Cougars move forward with cornerback Brandon Wilson, who proved to be a nice insurance policy when Farrow was hurt the final game of the regular season and American Athletic Conference championship game.
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