TCU football sees two more players depart the program
TCU football has seen two more players leave the program.
Wide receiver John Stephens Jr. is expected to enter the NCAA transfer portal on Monday, according to sources. Those same sources told the Star-Telegram that senior defensive tackle Brandon Bowen is also no longer with the team, opting out for the rest of the season.
Stephens is the fourth wide receiver to enter the transfer portal this season from TCU, joining Al’Dontre Davis, Dylan Thomas and Te’Vailance Hunt.
Coach Gary Patterson addressed players bolting via the transfer portal or opting out earlier this week. He mentioned the coronavirus pandemic making it difficult on a number of players. If a player doesn’t truly love the game, Patterson said, it’s more difficult for them to go through everything necessary to play in front of limited capacity crowds.
Additionally, Patterson reiterated his stance that the transfer portal makes it more difficult for coaching staffs to develop players on and off the field. If a player grows frustrated over playing time or another circumstance, it’s easier than ever for them to leave.
“One of the things we’re supposed to be is parents and teachers — there’s no way you can do all of that,” Patterson said. “I don’t know about you guys, but there were a couple of times I was ready to trade my mom and dad when I was younger when they didn’t let me have something. I’m glad I didn’t. They ended up being great people and I learned a lot from them, especially things they told me I couldn’t do.”
Stephens has one catch for five yards this season. His lone reception came in the Kansas State game. He started in the Texas game, but has been passed by other receivers on the depth chart.
Stephens, who had 11 catches for 151 yards as a sophomore last season, is from an athletic family. His late father, John Stephens Sr., played in the NFL for six seasons as a running back. His sister, Sloane Stephens, is a tennis star who won the 2017 U.S. Open.
Bowen, meanwhile, has strong athletic bloodlines as well. His uncle is Bruce Bowen, a three-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs.
But Bowen has battled injuries throughout his career, playing in only 10 games his first four years with the Frogs. He came off the bench and saw limited action four games this season, registering one tackle.
For his college career, Bowen had six tackles and played in 14 games. He was a highly-touted, four-star prospect coming out of Trophy Club Nelson in 2016.
This story was originally published November 7, 2020 at 10:00 AM.
