NCAA grants TCU transfer JD Spielman immediate eligibility
TCU received good news on Tuesday.
As expected, wide receiver JD Spielman was granted his immediate eligibility request by the NCAA, sources told the Star-Telegram. Most believed the former Nebraska receiver would be granted the waiver since he joined the program this summer and it became official on Tuesday.
TCU remains optimistic that LSU transfer Marcel Brooks will obtain a waiver as well. That decision is expected soon, possibly at some point next week. Coach Gary Patterson raved about Brooks’ versatility as a defender last week, saying the former five-star prospect can play pass rusher, linebacker and even safety.
Spielman, meanwhile, brings a veteran presence to the wide receiver corps and is also an option to return punts. Spielman has earned preseason recognition, including being named to the Senior Bowl’s Top 250.
Patterson said Spielman had been “in and out” of practice in recent weeks, but “when he’s out there, he’s starting to learn. We just need him to get more reps.”
Spielman had three consecutive 800-yard receiving seasons for the Cornhuskers, leading the team with 49 catches for 898 yards and five touchdowns last season. He is the son of Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman.
TCU is looking to rebound from a disappointing passing season. The Horned Frogs ranked ninth in the 10-team Big 12 in passing offense, averaging 203.7 yards per game, and last in pass efficiency (112.4).
With starting quarterback Max Duggan sidelined with a heart condition, former walk-on Matthew Downing is working with the first team. TCU is scheduled to open its season against SMU on Sept. 12 at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Another transfer WR?
TCU is expected to add another transfer wide receiver to the group with former Southlake Carroll star Zach Farrar walking on, sources confirmed a report by Jeremy Clark of Horned Frog Blitz.
Farrar has not attended any team meetings and must be granted a waiver to play this season. It’s unclear if he could obtain a waiver before the season opener on Sept. 12.
Farrar has bounced around throughout his college career after leaving Carroll as a highly-touted prospect in the 2016 class. He started off at Oklahoma, redshirting in 2016, before moving on to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (2017), Youngstown State (2018) and Auburn (2019).
Farrar, who is listed at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, caught three passes for 41 yards and two touchdowns in three games for the Tigers last season.
