The scent of grilled food and the hum of tailgate trucks filled the air at TDECU Stadium on fall Saturdays, but for Houston Cougars cornerback Latrell McCutchin, the prevailing feeling was one of anxiety and disappointment.
“Game day was the hardest part of the week for me,” McCutchin admitted. “I would cry from the moment we ran out of the tunnel until halftime, and then cry some more. Knowing I should be on the field but couldn’t be was tough. But it was a year I needed, and it taught me a lot.”
McCutchin joined Houston in late June 2023 after stints at Oklahoma and USC. Due to NCAA transfer rules, he was ineligible to play the entire 2023 season. He spent the year on the practice field, unable to experience game day with the 36,000-strong Cougar crowd.
“Last year showed me that I control my own destiny,” McCutchin reflected. “Even though I wasn’t playing, I gave it my all during practice. It was important to stay focused and dedicated.”
At home games, McCutchin watched from the sidelines in street clothes, while he missed the road games entirely. His former teammate at Oklahoma, outside linebacker Jamal Morris, noted McCutchin’s intense desire to play. “He was always eager and hungry, and that drive hasn’t changed. He’s grown into a leader, and his determination is evident,” Morris said.
With a new head coach, Willie Fritz, and a fresh start for the 2024 season, McCutchin is eager to prove himself. “I’ve been practicing like I’m going to play every Saturday. That mindset has made me a better leader and player,” McCutchin said.
Fritz has praised McCutchin’s dedication and potential. “Latrell has a lot of ability and could be one of the top corners in the conference,” Fritz said.
McCutchin is also excited about reuniting with his younger brother Latreveon, who plays linebacker for Houston. “Playing alongside my brother was a big reason I chose Houston. It’s something that motivates both of us to work harder,” McCutchin shared.
As the new season approaches, McCutchin is ready to turn his challenging year into a springboard for success.
