When Jakob Schulz talked with new Houston baseball coach Will Davis after he entered the transfer portal, he felt the initial conversations were great.

The former Vanderbilt left-handed pitcher standout was looking for a new home, and Schulz felt Davis' vision to rebuild the Houston program was something the former Memorial standout couldn't miss out on.

“The coaching staff was the main reason,” Schulz said on why he committed to Houston. “coach Davis and coach Hutchins are terrific. I felt strongly that they were the right people for the University of Houston, and for me personally.”

The 6-foot-2, 219-pound lefty pitched 19 2/3 innings with 25 strikeouts for the Commodores as a junior and is looking to do more on the mound for the Cougars.

Davis continues to build his first roster at Houston as the Cougars continue to get commitments coming in from the transfer portal and high school players.

Schulz was impressed with what Davis had accomplished at Lamar, recently winning the Southland Conference Tournament Championship, and what he helped build at LSU as an assistant.

“He’s clearly someone who loves the game,” Schulz said of Davis. “Not a lot of fluff, just simply someone who knows what he’s doing and loves the game.”

Houston has been a hotbed for baseball talent for decades with some of the top prospects in the nation leaving Houston for bigger programs in the country.

Schulz feels that Davis will be able to keep the local talent home and build a solid baseball program that the city of Houston can be proud to rally behind.

"They are a young modern staff, one that does and will recruit very well," Schulz said. "They have every capability to build the energy and program that attracts the best players in Houston."

Schulz is excited to see Davis continue to build his team and feels great to be back home and represent the Houston Cougars.

Being back at home will have its advantages.

"Really exciting to be a 10 minute drive from home," Schulz said. "It's comfortable."