The Houston Cougars have been active on the transfer market this offseason. The latest additions to the program by way of transfers will add tow players from power-conference programs to the offensive line. Former Texas Tech and UCLA offensive guard Justin Murphy and former Texas Tech offensive guard Gio Pancotti have each announced they are heading to the Houston program for the 2019 season.
Pancotti will join the Cougars with two years of eligibility remaining. He will be able to jump right into the mix on the Houston offensive line as a graduate transfer, providing some instant depth on the line for the Cougars.
— Gio Pancotti (@GioPancotti) June 2, 2019
Murphy will also be a graduate transfer, allowing him to be eligible right away. However, he only has one year remaining on his eligibility ticker. For Murphy, the opportunity to play closer to home where his mother is battling breast cancer was an easy one to accept.
“U of H also stood out to me because my mom has breast cancer and she’s getting treated at MD Anderson here in Houston, and for me to be able to come down and support her as well as continue my football career and my academic career, is really an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up,” Murphy said to Mark Berman of FOX 26 in Houston.
Junior College First-Team All-American defensive back Gervarrius Owens (@gervarrius_3) from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, on transferring to @UHCougarFB, says he chose UH over Texas Tech & Florida Atlantic & has 3 years of eligibility left: "It's a great opportunity to showcase.." pic.twitter.com/FBgSTuBQLV
— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) June 3, 2019
Murphy was granted a sixth year of eligibility last December, and he announced his intent to transfer shortly after receiving that news. Murphy transferred to UCLA in 2018 after a brief retirement following an ACL injury at Texas Tech.