Steven Johnson: TCU’s 2023 class sets the program up for future success
TCU’s 2023 recruiting class is finally in the books.
It’s the first full class for coach Sonny Dykes, who is entering his second season as the head of the program.
TCU lost out on quarterback Jaden Rashada on National Signing Day and signs indicate four-star safety Warren Roberson could flip his commitment to Texas. Roberson was slated to sign on NSD at Red Oak, but the winter storm forced schools to close and Roberson pushed his announcement back. As of Friday, he has yet to to decide.
Even with those misses, Dykes still managed to sign a historic recruiting class that should set TCU up for continued success after an appearance in the national championship game.
Let’s breakdown TCU’s class and see how it stacks up and which prospects stand out:
National ranking
TCU finished with the No. 20 recruiting class according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. The composite factors all the rankings from the four major recruiting services (247Sports, On3, ESPN and Rivals). If Roberson decides to remain in the class then TCU would jump back up a spot to No. 19.
Historic achievement
The No. 20 ranking is the best recruiting class since 2016 when former coach Gary Patterson signed the No. 21 class in the country led by Sewo Olonilua. Not only is it the best class in seven years, it’s the best class TCU has signed all-time.
TCU has eight prospects that finished ranked as four-star recruits. It was the goal of Dykes and the recruiting class to have a historic class and the Horned Frogs achieved that in year one.
Tops in the Big 12
TCU’s recruiting class is the third-highest in the current 14-team Big 12. Texas and Oklahoma led the way with top five classes. The Longhorns signed No. 1 recruit Arch Manning, the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning along with three other five-stars that includes local stars Anthony Hill (Denton Ryan) and Johntay Cook (DeSoto). Texas also signed the No. 1 running back Cedric Baxter Jr. to replace Bijan Robinson.
Oklahoma had an awful season in Brent Venables’ first year, but it didn’t impact recruiting as Oklahoma signed three five-stars including the Denton Guyer duo of quarterback Jackson Arnold and safety Peyton Bowen. While their classes are impressive, you have to remember that both programs could leave the conference as early as 2024.
That means TCU has the top class of the future Big 12 members and has positioned itself to be the next recruiting power if it can continue land prospects from the DFW area.
Speaking of the newcomers: UCF was 49th, Houston 56th, BYU 66th and Cincinnati 78th in the team recruiting rankings. TCU will face Houston and BYU in 2023.
Instant impact recruit
Which signee could help TCU the most in 2023? It’s a chalk pick, but I’ll go with Naaman Forest defensive lineman Markis Deal. The Garland native is the second highest-rated recruit in the class and TCU had to beat out multiple SEC programs for his commitment.
While the Horned Frogs return seven starters on defense, TCU will need to replace Dylan Horton and Terrell Cooper. Deal’s 6-foot-4, 290 pound frame should allow him to get on the field quickly if he does his thing in the weight room. Building up the talent in the trenches will be the key to TCU remaining among the elite and a recruit like Deal should be a big boost.
Biggest sleepers
There are two recruits that immediately stand out to me. One is junior college cornerback Channing Canada. Canada was the No. 1 corner in JUCO and could be the immediately replacement for Jim Thorpe Award winner Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson. At 6’0, 185 pounds, Canada gives TCU a bigger corner to pair with returning All-Big 12 selection Josh Newton.
From the high school ranks is Maxwell Carroll. A three-star athlete considered a top-500 prospect, Carroll’s best football is ahead of him after being a two-way star in Memphis. Carroll has drawn comparisons to linebacker Zaven Collins, who played for Joe Gillespie at Tulsa and won numerous Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2020 before being selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
Carroll could play receiver or tight end, but linebacker is likely where he’ll start his career in Fort Worth.
