Five Cougars on the comeback trail
With less than a month until the University of Houston reports for preseason camp, here are five players looking to bounce back from 2018 injuries:
D’ERIQ KING QUARTERBACK
King was on a record-setting pace with 50 touchdowns, most in FBS, when he suffered a knee injury in the next-to-last game of the regular season. King says his knee” feels great’ and the transition has been smooth to new coach Dana Holgorsen’s system. With nearly everyone back from a top-10 scoring offense, King could be in position for another monster year in his final season.
ISAIAH CHAMBERS DEFENSIVE END
A transfer from TCU, Chambers got off to a fast start with three sacks in the opener against Rice and 4½ in five games before a knee injury sidelined him the final two months. His return helps, as a revamped defensive line transitions to a four-man front. Shortly after suffering the injury Chambers set the tone for his rehab, posting on Instagram: “NFL, I’m still coming for you.”
PAYTON TURNER DEFENSIVE END
It was a painful season for the defensive line as Turner joined the list with a foot injury that sidelined him the final two games. The Cougars have high hopes for the 6-6, 288-pound Turner, who when healthy, saw action in 11 games last season.
COURTNEY LARK WIDE RECEIVER
Lark was enjoying a breakout season when an undisclosed injury forced him to miss the final four games of the regular season. He did manage to return for the Armed Forces Bowl and finished the season with 35 catches for 539 yards and five touchdowns. With Marquez Stevenson, Keith Corbin and Lark, UH has arguably the best receiving corps in the AAC.
BRYSON SMITH WIDE RECEIVER
A hamstring slowed Smith down the stretch in what was still a productive season with 30 catches for 285 yards and four touchdowns. Holgorsen erased any doubt in the spring when he said Smith’s future is at wide receiver. While he won’t see action at quarterback — a position he was recruited out of high school — Smith will see action in a variety of roles.