TCU’s Pro Wells is going pro, opting out of bowl game to focus on NFL career
Pro Wells is turning pro.
The TCU junior tight end announced plans to forgo his final college season and enter the 2021 NFL Draft on Thursday night. Wells is opting out of TCU’s upcoming bowl game to focus on preparing for a professional career.
In a social media post, Wells thanked a number of people saying: “I had many memorable moments at TCU and I want to thank everyone who has made an impact on my college career.”
Wells, who will graduate on Saturday, has a team-leading three touchdown receptions this season. For the year, he had 13 receptions for 195 yards. He battled a hamstring injury early on this season.
Wells joined TCU as a JUCO recruit out of Northwest Mississippi Community College in 2018. He played in four games that season, finishing with two receptions for 12 yards. Wells had a breakout season in 2019, finishing with 17 catches for 196 yards and a team-leading five TDs.
At 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, Wells has the build to play at the next level. As with most prospects, his stock will rise or fall based on how he performs in on-field drills and handles the interview process leading up to the draft.
The 2021 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 29-May 1 in Cleveland.
As far as TCU is concerned at tight end going forward, senior Artayvious Lynn could return as a “super senior” and take advantage of the NCAA’s extra year of eligibility for athletes amid the coronavirus pandemic. Carter Ware is a junior and expected to return too.
TCU added a few tight end prospects in its 2021 class as well. D.J. Rogers was a four-star prospect coming out of high school. Argyle’s Jasper Lott is expected to transition to the offensive line, but played tight end in high school. And Alexander Honig, the German quarterback prospect, is viewed as a possible tight end if quarterback doesn’t work out.
Looming decisions
Wells isn’t the only TCU player who faces a decision of whether to pursue a professional career with college eligibility remaining.
Junior safety Trevon Moehrig is another candidate to be an early entrant into the draft. Moehrig is viewed as one of the top safeties in the 2021 class and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors this season. He was a first-team All-Big 12 player in 2019 too.
Moehrig has two interceptions and nine pass breakups this season. He also has 47 tackles, the third-most on the team.
Moehrig has not announced any decision yet.
Another player to keep an eye on is left tackle T.J. Storment. Coach Gary Patterson mentioned on his radio show a couple weeks ago that Storment could be a candidate to take advantage of the NCAA freezing eligibility this year, which would give Storment a chance to return in 2021.
Storment is expected to play in the bowl game and then evaluate his options afterward.
Bowl matters
TCU will know its official bowl destination on Sunday. The favorite remains to play in the Texas Bowl on Dec. 31 at NRG Stadium in Houston.
The Frogs would be playing a bowl game in Houston for the first time since joining the Big 12 in 2012. But the destination is subject to change, particularly if the Big 12 sends two teams to a New Year’s Six game. Oklahoma and Iowa State play for the Big 12 championship on Saturday and both could make a New Year’s Six game.
Bowl matchups and selections will be announced Sunday.
This story was originally published December 18, 2020 at 8:04 AM.
