TCU transfer notebook: Horned Frogs add two signees while hosting SEC transfer
TCU is starting to get hot on the recruiting trail in the transfer portal with two more signees joining the Horned Frogs’ 2025 class on Tuesday.
Houston wide receiver transfer Joseph Manjack IV and Texas-San Antonio running back Kevorian Barnes signed with TCU after completing official visits to Fort Worth over the last few days.
Manjack started his career at USC and then played the next three at Houston. Manjack’s best season was in 2023 when he caught 46 passes for 577 yards and six touchdowns. Manjack had four catches for 50 yards against TCU in the Horned Frogs’ 36-13 win in Houston.
This season Manjack had 22 receptions for 351 yards and three touchdowns. He had two receptions for 21 yards in Houston’s win over TCU this season. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver is an ideal replacement for Jack Bech, who had a breakout season with over 1,000 yards.
Barnes brings experience and depth to the running back room after four years at UTSA. In 2022 Barnes rushed for 851 yards, six touchdowns and averaged 6.3 yards per carry. He was voted Conference USA Freshman of the Year.
In 2023 Barnes had another productive season with 715 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Barnes had a smaller role this season as he finished fourth on the team in carries (78) and yards (221).
Best case scenario, Barnes will regain his form from 2022 and compete for a starting role. If not, Barnes should still bring experience and could be a good mentor for TCU’s young running backs Cam Cook, Jeremy Payne and Nate Palmer.
TCU’s transfer class now has three players in the fold and the expectation is that TCU will sign 8-10 players in total. Another receiver remains the biggest need for TCU going forward and the Horned Frogs will also look to add pieces at linebacker and safety.
The next name to watch could be LSU tight end transfer Ka’Morreun Pimpton. The former North Crowley standout took an visit to TCU on Tuesday and watched some of the Horned Frogs’ bowl practice.
Pimpton had six receptions and 79 yards this season for the Tigers as he was behind Mason Taylor, one of the best tight ends in the country.
Another reserve hits the portal
The addition of Barnes can be explained by the departure of running back Dominique Johnson. Johnson announced on social media that he was officially entering the transfer portal after one season in Fort Worth.
Johnson played for running backs coach Jimmy Smith at Arkansas and was a late addition to the roster before fall camp. Johnson had 18 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown as he served as goal line back for TCU this season.
Johnson is the second Horned Frog to enter the portal this week, joining wide receiver JoJo Earle, who entered the portal on Sunday. Earle had a career-high 239 yards with TCU last season, but injuries and the emergence of Bech and Eric McAlister saw Earle fall in the rotation this season.
