After FBS Breakthrough, Houston Cornerback Jalen Mayo Named Semifinalist for Prestigious Award

A fast rise at Houston

Houston’s pass defense has faced criticism for allowing big plays, though the secondary has improved recently. The experienced group was expected to be a team strength, and Houston also added talent through the transfer portal.

Mayo, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound cornerback, arrived from Stephen F. Austin. In seven games at the FBS level, he has claimed the Cougars’ top cornerback spot and earned national recognition as a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist.

Production across the defense

He has six pass breakups and one interception, an athletic one-handed grab against Texas Tech on the road. Mayo also forced a fumble against Southern’s quarterback in Week 2 while blitzing off the edge. His 29 tackles are the third-most on Houston’s team.

A path through three programs

Mayo grew up in Hampton, Virginia, and had only one offer out of high school: Virginia Union, a Division II school. He spent three seasons there and helped the team win two conference titles as a key defender.

He transferred to Stephen F. Austin in 2025, earning first-team all-conference honors and second-team FCS All-American recognition. Mayo then moved to Houston this past offseason, following cornerbacks coach Marcus Trice, who had joined the Cougars from SFA a couple of weeks earlier.