TCU’s Jamel Johnson explains defense’s outlook in Andy Avalos’ second season
Jamel Johnson burst onto the scene during the 2024 season for TCU, totaling 73 tackles, three passes defended and a forced fumble.
After entering the transfer portal and then returning to TCU, Johnson explained this week what led to his breakout season and the strides the defense has taken during spring football practices.
“Just me learning the game, the Bud Clark, the veterans I had around me, just telling me to keep going, just to study the game,” Johnson said. “I feel like we’re more comfortable now in the defense. We seeing everything faster. Once again, we still got a couple small things [to work out], but I think this year we got the key guys that know, the veterans that we can teach it now. We know everything, we’re not playing slow no more.”
TCU’s defense showed improvement at the end of the season, holding four of their last seven opponents under 20 points.
Johnson is trying to emerge as a leader in the secondary this season and credited Bud Clark for helping to lead the secondary.
“I feel like I’m growing [as a leader], once again Bud Clark, and we got a few corners that growing, like [Channing Canada] and [Devonde McGee]. So I feel like, but for me, I feel I’m growing a lot. That’s one thing that I need to work on, too, is being more vocal, having more leadership,” said Johnson.
Johnson also complimented Austin Jordan and Kylin Jackson for stepping up with the departure of Abe Camara to the NFL Draft
The Arlington native also complimented transfers wide receivers Joseph Manjack IV and Jordan Dwyer, saying iron sharpens iron.
Ben Taylor-Whitfield dishes on the running game
TCU is looking to improve its running game after finishing tied for the second-lowest yards per carry (3.7) and the fourth-fewest yards (1,481) in the Big 12.
Taylor-Whitfield started multiple games at the end of last season and said physicality would be key for the Horned Frogs to improve their running game.
“Just complete physicality,” he said. “.You know, last year we didn’t have the physicality that we’ve seen so far in spring ball and the guys that came in we’re so far a pretty young team, but overall, we’ve been pretty good this spring. And the physicality is definitely there, the bond, the Brotherhood, everything, the culture is definitely extreme physicality and competing.”
Last year’s leading rusher, Cam Cook left for Jackson State in the transfer portal, and Taylor-Whitfield cited Kevorian Barnes, a transfer from UT-San Antonio as a standout during the early portions of spring practice.
“I want to say all my backs, all my backs, have been really good. But if I’ve seen a standout, like an absolute standout, is our transfer [Barnes],” Taylor-Whitfield said. “He’s came in, and I’ve seen a lot of things I haven’t seen in the past so far here, so, in just my two years so [Barnes] is definitely the biggest standout, but all of our running backs are doing their thing, I’m giving all my running backs kudos.”
Barnes, a San Augustine native, ran for 1,797 yards with 14 touchdowns in four seasons with the Roadrunners before coming to Fort Worth and could play a big role in the running game for the Horned Frogs this season.
TCU will hold an open practice for fans, which is free to attend, at 6 p.m. on Friday at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
