Sam Houston

The Bearkats enter 2026 with a quarterback competition defining their offseason after Hunter Watson's transfer portal departure left the position unsettled. Sam Houston's -19.8 JP+ rating ranks 135th nationally, with both offense (-9.7, 134th) and defense (-8.5, 133rd) struggling across the board following a brutal 2-10 campaign. The portal shuffle brought 20 arrivals to offset 15 departures, highlighted by tight end Max Whisner from Akron (3.2 PPA) and edge rusher Zion Taylor from Houston, though the losses of Watson (11.2 PPA) and tight end Rayfield Lotten to New Mexico State create significant holes.

JP+ projects exactly 3.0 wins for Sam Houston in Conference USA play, a modest improvement that hinges entirely on whether the new signal-caller can stabilize an offense that lost substantial target share. The defense shows more structural continuity than the offense, but neither unit graded above 133rd nationally in the preseason metrics. If the quarterback competition produces a competent starter and the portal additions mesh quickly, the Bearkats could push toward four or five wins with winnable home games against Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State, and Nicholls. If not, another long season awaits with road trips to Texas Tech, Jacksonville State, and Troy looming as potential blowouts.