Donovan Smith Named Houston Starting Quarterback for 2023 Season
Houston Cougars fans officially have their quarterback for the upcoming season in former Texas Tech Red Raider Donovan Smith.
Head coach Dana Holgorsen made the announcement on Saturday afternoon, and while most fans expected Smith to start off the season as Cougars QB1, Holgorsen eliminated all doubt by saying, “Donovan Smith is the clear cut starter.”
Smith elected to join the Cougars in the transfer portal on December 20th after finding himself in rotation with multiple other quarterbacks at Texas Tech. The Texas native spent two seasons at Tech, finishing off his time in Lubbock with 2,686 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, and another 10 scores on the ground.
He now joins a Houston team that finished fourth in the AAC last season under Dana Holgorsen with an overall record of 8-5, and a conference record of 5-3. The Cougars made the switch to join the Big 12 Conference back in July, and while Smith had the opportunity to leave the Big 12 in the transfer portal, the former Red Raider will now get a shot to take on his former team on September 30th in Lubbock.
Houston kicks off their first season of Big 12 football with a game against UTSA on September 2nd, and while many have been critical of the Cougars’ ability to translate into the Big 12, Donovan Smith will be a player to watch wherever he goes.
