Houston Lands Louisiana Transfer QB Zeon Chriss
Willie Fritz and the Houston Cougars appear to have a quarterback battle on their hands heading into his first season at the helm as UH landed a commitment from Louisiana transfer Zeon Chriss on Wednesday.
Chriss, listed at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, is a sophomore signal caller who has spent each of the last two seasons with the Ragin’ Cajuns.
In 2023, he was thrust into starting duties after Louisiana’s starting quarterback, Chandler Fields, went down with an injury.
In eight games over the 2023 season, Chriss completed 66.7% of his passes for 1,222 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while adding 492 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. His breakout season came to an end in Week 10 after suffering a season-ending leg injury against Arkansas State.
Chriss’s addition to the roster means that Houston’s incumbent starter, Donovan Smith, will have some competition for the starting gig heading into the 2024 season. Over 12 starts in 2023, Smith completed 64.5% of his passes for 2,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, adding 428 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
With Chriss and Smith battling it out in the spring, there’s a good chance that the Cougars will see improved quarterback play heading into next season, which is fantastic news after UH’s 4-8 campaign in 2023.
