Inside Houston's 2009 Recruiting Class

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INSTANT CONTRIBUTORS: The Cougars are actually pretty well set at the skill positions; with QB Case Keenum, RB Bryce Beall, WR Tyron Carrier and WR Patrick Edwards all still at least two years away from graduation, the more immediate needs are along the offensive line and on defense. Navarro CC OL Roy Watts should address the first problem instantly -- the 6-foot-6, 300-pound behemoth attracted offers from a variety of prominent BCS programs and might have been the Cougars' best offensive lineman the minute he stepped on campus. Watts originally signed with Texas when he graduated from Houston Worthing back in 2006; after redshirting his first year on campus, he eventually moved to Navarro, where he was an honorable mention SWJCFC selection in 2007. Watts' huge frame projects well as a tackle, and Houston could use him at either one of those spots, since incumbent starters Sebastian Vollmer and Michael Bloesch are both graduating. The other JUCO lineman, Coffeyville's (Coffeyville, Kan.) Jarve Dean, also graduated in 2006, and like Watts, will have two years of eligibility at UH. He couldn't qualify upon graduation, so he took his skills to Coffeyville, and now he looks like a backup or starting guard for an offensive line searching for some solid solutions. ... The other biggest need is on defense; the Cougars were often hurting for speed at the linebacker level in 2008, so Rockwall-Heath LB George Bamfo, a very late pledge, could pull a Marcus McGraw and crack the rotation as just a true freshman. ... If the coaching staff decides to leave Dayton WR A.J. Dugat at WR, expect him to contribute almost immediately. The one-time TCU pledge is an absolute terror in the open field, and his 1,755 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns both comfortably led the greater Houston area. However, if coach Kevin Sumlin decides to put Dugat at DB, the Broncos' star might need another year to get on the field. Though UH's need is greater at DB, Dugat is a rare talent with the ball in his hands.