- Andre Ware is the only Houston Cougars player to win the Heisman Trophy.
- Case Keenum is the NCAA’s all-time passing yards leader with 19,217.
- David Klingler holds the record for most passing touchdowns in a single college football game with 11.
Through the 2024-25 college football season, the Houston Cougars are just 13-16-1 in bowl games.
Their most recent bowl appearance was in 2022. The NCAA football odds favoured the Cougars at -5, and they lived up to expectations, beating Louisiana 23-16.
Today, football betting on the Cougars is available at the BetMGM online sportsbook.
Despite the lack of bowl game and national championship success, there have still been numerous excellent players to suit up for the Cougars.
See my list of the top five below.
5 Best Houston Cougars Football Players, Ranked
| Rank | Player | Position | Houston Years |
| 1 | Andre Ware | QB | 1987-1989 |
| 2 | Case Keenum | QB | 2007-2011 |
| 3 | David Klingler | QB | 1988-1991 |
| 4 | Wilson Whitley | DT | 1973-1976 |
| 5 | Elmo Wright | WR | 1968-1970 |
Houston Cougars All-Time Greatest Football Players
1. Andre Ware
Ware played for Houston for three seasons from 1987 to 1990. During that time, he won the Heisman Trophy and Davey O’Brien Award (best NCAA quarterback), was the UPI Player of the Year, a consensus All-American, SWC Offensive Player of the Year, first-team All-SWC, and second-team All-SWC.
He’s the only player in Houston Cougars football history to win the Heisman Trophy.
Ware won it in 1989 when he threw for 4,699 yards, 46 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.
He ended his career with 8,202 passing yards (seventh in program history), 75 passing touchdowns (fifth), 8,058 total yards (seventh), and 81 total touchdowns (sixth).
Ware compiled those numbers despite just 140 pass attempts in five games as a freshman.
The Cougars retired his No. 11, and he’s enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
2. Case Keenum
Keenum saw playing time right away as a freshman in 2007. He played through 2011. After tearing his ACL in Week 3 of the 2010 season, he gained an extra year of eligibility after redshirting.
In some ways, it would be easier to list the Cougars’ program records Keenum doesn’t hold.
He is No. 1 in passing yards (19,217), passing touchdowns (155), total yards (20,114), and total touchdowns (178).
He also holds three of the top four single-season passing yardage marks, headlined by 5,671 in 2009.
Keenum’s 19,217 passing yards is not only the Cougars record—it’s the NCAA record.
He also had 23 rushing touchdowns, which is tied for 10th at Houston.
As for accolades, he won the Sammy Baugh Trophy twice (top passer), was a first-team All-American, was named Conference USA Player of the Year twice, was a two-time first-team All-Conference USA selection, and also made the second team once.
The Cougars retired his No. 7.
3. David Klingler
Klingler played quarterback at Houston from 1988 to 1991 but didn’t receive full-time starter reps until 1990.
Over his first two seasons, he had just 121 pass attempts. In his final two, he had 1,140.
He finished his career with 9,430 passing yards (fourth in program history), 91 passing touchdowns (third), 9,327 total yards (fifth), and 93 total touchdowns (fourth).
He holds the following Cougars single-season records: passing touchdowns (54 in 1990) and total touchdowns (55 in 1990).
Klingler also holds the single-game marks for passing yards (716 in 1990 against Arizona State) and passing touchdowns (11 in 1990 against Eastern Washington).
His 11 passing touchdowns against Eastern Washington is the NCAA single-game record.
Klingler won the Sammy Baugh Trophy, was a third-team All-American, the SWC Offensive Player of the Year, and named first-team and second-team All-SWC.
The Cougars retired his No. 7.
4. Wilson Whitley
Whitley played defensive tackle for the Cougars from 1973 to 1976 before becoming the No. 8 overall pick in the 1977 NFL Draft.
He won the Lombardi Award (best college football lineman), Knute Rockne Memorial Trophy (also to the top lineman), was a consensus All-American, the SWC Defensive Player of the Year, and first-team All-SWC.
The Cougars retired his No. 78, and he’s enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
5. Elmo Wright
Wright played for Houston from 1968 to 1970.
In 1968, he caught 43 passes for 1,198 yards and 11 touchdowns. His average of 27.9 yards per catch led the nation and was 2.7 yards more than any other player.
Additionally, he set an NCAA single-season record with eight touchdown catches of 50 yards or more.
He followed that up with 63 receptions for 1,275 yards and 14 touchdowns in 1969.
He finished his career with 153 catches, 3,347 receiving yards (fourth), and 34 touchdowns (second).
Wright was a consensus All-American, a second-team All-American, and is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
He’s also credited with inventing the touchdown celebration, showcasing his iteration during a game against Florida in 1969.
The content provided in this blog is intended for entertainment purposes only. All views and opinions expressed are the authors and reflect their individual perspectives on sports, betting, and related topics. This content should not be considered professional betting advice or the official views of BetMGM LLC. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know is experiencing issues related to gambling, seek help from a licensed health professional. This blog is not liable for any losses, damages, or consequences resulting from betting activities.
