Houston 2014 news

Defensive back Alex Tillman transfers

Tony Levine‘s Houston football team will get immediate help from at least one, possibly two offensive linemen from Power Five schools in the state of Oklahoma.

In a press release, the Cougars announced Tuesday that Travis Cross (pictured) and Kyle Marrs have transferred into the UH football program. The former transfers in from Oklahoma State, the latter from Oklahoma.

Cross will be eligible to play immediately as a graduate transfer. UH stated in the release that it will file an appeal to make Marrs eligible for the 2014 season.

Cross has one season of eligibility remaining, while Marrs would be a redshirt sophomore in 2014 if his appeal is successful.

The search for a new football home did not take long for former Texas A&M defensive end Gavin Stansbury. Stansbury plans to join the Houston Cougars of the American Athletic Conference and will be eligible to play immediately this fall. The news was first reported by Joseph Duarte The Houston Chronicle and followed up by Bruce Feldman of FOX Sports via Twitter.

Houston’s bid to add additional transfer help along the offensive line has failed.

Head coach Tony Levine confirmed to the Houston Chronicle that the NCAA has denied Kyle Marrs‘ appeal for immediate eligibility. Because of the denial, Marrs will be forced to sit out the 2014 season to satisfy NCAA transfer rules.

Beginning in 2015, Marrs will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Marrs was a three-star member of Oklahoma’s 2012 recruiting class. After taking a redshirt as a true freshman, Marrs played in 10 games for the Sooners in 2013.

In early June, Marrs was one of two offensive linemen from FBS programs in the state of Oklahoma to join the Cougars. Travis Cross, who transferred in from Oklahoma State, is a graduate transfer and will be eligible to play immediately in 2014.