The 2026 NFL Draft saw its seven-round conclusion on Saturday, with one of six Houston Cougars , tight end Tanner Koziol, being selected in the fifth round as the 164th overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars as the sole draft pick from the program. Houston still awaits its first first-round draft pick since defensive end Payton Turner was selected by the New Orleans Saints as the 28th overall pick in 2021, its first first-round selection under the tenure of coach Willie Fritz, and Fritz's first such selection under his watch. But with the Fritz era underway, the direction the program is already trending into Big 12 contention in just two seasons alone in his tenure and the explosive recruiting trail, Houston is potentially bound to have a player or two in future NFL draft first rounds. Two of them could be well on their way to being such feats next, with one of them potentially soaring in draft stock as early as next offseason.…