The Houston Cougars got news late last week that could throw a wrench into their upcoming inaugural season in the newly named American Athletic Conference. CougarsDen has confirmed through multiple sources that senior running back Charles Sims , who graduated earlier this month with a degree in Health, will leave the program.

In a statement from the school Wednesday afternoon, head coach Tony Levine praised the recent graduate for his time at Houston.

"We congratulate Charles on receiving his degree last week and becoming a Cougar for life," he said. "He has been a leader for our program both on and off the field with a number of accomplishments,"

In a statement released exclusively to CougarsDen by his family, Sims expressed his thoughts on his time at Houston, his departure and what exactly the future holds for him.

The statement reads:

"It is with regret and deep humbling, that I am ending my playing career at the University of Houston. I have a lot of great memories that I will carry with me forever. I want to thank the University of Houston for allowing the opportunity to be a part of its football program.

I have worked extremely hard while I have been here at U of H and made every attempt to carry myself in a manner that would reflect the utmost integrity upon the school and this program.

I don't know what my next step will be. I have one more year of eligibility, therefore I may look to play (1) more year of college football or I may enter the NFL Supplemental Draft later this year.

My family and I will continue to discuss my options and we will make a decision in the near future."

Sims burst onto the scene in 2009 with the Cougars, rushing for 698 yards and nine touchdowns en route to Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors. After redshirting in 2010 Sims continued where he left off in 2011 and averaged 7.5 yards per rushing attempt, racking up 821 yards and nine scores on the ground combined with four more scores through the air, good enough for first team All-Conference honors. Sims was slowed in 2012 with several nagging injuries, only appearing in nine games, but still managed second team All-Conference honors.

Sims is the second senior this offseason to transfer away from the Cougars program, joining defensive end Zeke Riser who has transferred to the University of Texas to finish out his final year of eligibility.

With the departure of Sims, the Cougars will be left with a running back by committee set-up with redshirt sophomore Kenneth Farrow and true sophomore Ryan Jackson looking to get a majority of those snaps. Both looked good this spring, getting the majority of the carries as Sims did not participate in full contact workouts with the team.

Post Spring Analysis piece on the running back heading into the summer camp, which included Sims at the time. You can CougarsDen recently released ourpiece on the running back heading into the summer camp, which included Sims at the time. You can read it here and see how the loss would effect the depth at the position.

Sims' collegiate options, if granted a full release from the school, would include any school at any classification with the exception of the SEC due to conference rules that do not allow graduate transfers.

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