Houston Cougars add former FCS All-American Jalen Mayo as starting cornerback

Senior transfer Jalen Mayo, a former FCS second‑team All‑American at Stephen F. Austin, has signed with the Houston Cougars and is expected to start at cornerback. Mayo recorded 47 tackles, nine passes defended, four interceptions and a forced fumble in his lone season at SFA, earning All‑Southland Conference First Team honors. His performance against Houston in a 27‑0 loss the previous year caught the Cougars’ attention.

Mayo, a Hampton, Virginia native, received no Division I offers out of high school and began his college career at Division II Virginia Union, where he helped win back‑to‑back CIAA titles and posted 75 tackles over three seasons. After transferring to SFA, he reunited with cornerbacks coach Marcus Trice, who now serves on Houston’s staff, smoothing his transition to the Power 5 program.