TCU starting safety Jamel Johnson withdraws from transfer portal, returns to practice
TCU starting safety Jamel Johnson has withdrawn his name from the transfer portal and returned to practice on Wednesday.
The former Arlington Seguin standout shocked many around the program when he entered the portal on Dec. 2. Johnson drew interest from Louisville, Michigan and Ole Miss according to On3 with potential visits lined up.
Instead Johnson opted to remain at TCU. The sophomore had 71 tackles, two for loss , three pass breakups and a forced fumble in his first season as a starter. Sonny Dykes said he was thrilled to have Johnson back after initially being perplexed about his initial decision to enter the portal.
“I’m glad to see Jamel come back,” Dykes said. “When he came and sat down with me I didn’t quite understand why he was doing what he was doing. I was disappointed, so I’m glad he had a chance to reconsider.”
While Dykes said he didn’t understand Johnson’s reason specifically, he does understand why so many players jump into the portal even if they’re already in a good situation.
“They see on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok all these people moving on and they can’t help, but go maybe that’s what I’m supposed to do,” Dykes said. “I totally understand it, it happens to coaches at our profession. That’s human nature.”
Johnson was the most significant Horned Frog to enter the portal along with running back Cam Cook, but Cook had fallen down in the rotation while Johnson looked like one of the future leaders of the defense.
With him back, TCU has another building block to rely on defensively next season with other upcoming players like Markis Deal and Max Carroll. Johnson’s return could be even more valuable depending on the decision of safety Bud Clark, who could enter the NFL after being voted second team All-Big 12 this season and being one of the highest graded safeties in the country by Pro Football Focus.
Clark is undecided on his future, but has been practicing for the New Mexico Bowl and it appears he’ll suit up on Dec. 28 against Louisiana.
The Horned Frogs will still try to add another safety via the transfer portal even with Johnson’s return.
