Analysis: Which TCU players could be picked in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The 2025 NFL Draft just wrapped up last weekend with TCU standouts Jack Bech and Savion Williams being drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders and Green Bay Packers.
The draft may have just happened, but it’s never too early to look ahead at next year’s draft class that could also feature multiple Horned Frogs.
From experienced defenders to another receiver with pro potential, here’s at look at which Horned Frogs could be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft:
Bud Clark, safety
Clark could’ve been drafted with Bech and Williams after he bounced back and had the best season of his career. Clark was voted second team All-Big 12 and was graded as a top-five safety by Pro Football Focus after he produced 44 solo tackles, three interceptions and a forced fumble while being the heart and soul of TCU’s defense last year.
He chose to return to Fort Worth for one more season.
Clark has excellent range in coverage and elite playmaking skills with 11 career interceptions over the last three seasons. He also made strides in run support. New safeties coach Tre Watson said it’s his goal to have Clark drafted on day one of the 2026 Draft and while it’s rare for safeties to go in the first round, Clark has all the potential to be an early draft pick.
Eric McAlister, wide receiver
TCU has quietly put itself among the nation’s elite when it comes to producing NFL receivers with Quentin Johnston, Derius Davis, Bech and Williams have been drafted since coach Sonny Dykes took over in 2022. McAlister has all the tools to be the next receiver taken high in the draft as he’ll be the unquestioned No. 1 receiver for TCU in the fall.
The 6-foot-3 receiver had 762 yards and five touchdowns last year despite being the fourth receiver behind Bech, Williams and JP Richardson. McAlister could easily be a 1,000-yard receiver if he remains healthy. McAlister is a good jump ball threat and a vertical target that can pick up yards after the catch. Remaining consistent with his hands will be key to impress scouts.
Namdi Obiazor, linebacker
Obiazor had a chance of being a late-round pick in last week’s draft, but he opted to make the most of his extra year of eligibility and returned for another season. Obiazor had 81 tackles, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception in his first season under defensive coordinator Andy Avalos.
The former safetty will look to build off that in Avalos’ second season as he aims to prove to NFL scouts he’s an everyday down linebacker. Obiazor has NFL size at 6-3, 220 pounds and still moves like a defensive back, which should make him an intriguing prospect if he continues to produce on the field.
Devean Deal, EDGE
The Tulane transfer emerged down the stretch as TCU’s best pass rusher with a career-high 5.5 sacks and 46 total tackles. Listed at 6-4, 250 pounds if Deal’s measurables are accurate then it should put him on the radar of some teams as a potential late draft pick. Edge rushers are hard to find and if Deal can built off last season and approach double digit sacks he could rise up quickly on team’s draft boards.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB
Another one of TCU’s athletic linebackers, Elarms-Orr was an all-conference defensive player at Cal in 2023. Elarms-Orr was the first linebacker off the bench last season and finished with 54 tackles and two sacks in his first season as Horned Frog. Elarms-Orr will be a starter this season and is a natural fit for Avalos’ scheme as a hard-hitting linebacker that move sideline to sideline.
Listed at 6-2, 235 pounds, Elarms-Orr also has prototypical size and is more of a natural linebacker than Obiazor at this stage of their careers. The duo could easily be one of the best in the Big 12.
Josh Hoover, QB
This is admittedly a long shot for a number of reasons, with the first being that many scouts expect next year’s quarterback class to be much deeper than this year’s which only featured Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart as first round picks. Hoover set the single-season passing record in his first full year as a starter and could eclipse those numbers now that he’s more experienced. Hoover has a good, not great arm by NFL standards and is more mobile than most think.
Hoover will receive high marks for character and leadership, which is extremely important to NFL teams as evidenced by Shedeur Sanders’ plummet in the draft. But even if Hoover throws for over 4,000 yards and limits his turnovers, he would still have to compete with quarterbacks that will have better physical measurements like South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers or LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier.
Hoover likely returns for the 2026 season, but don’t be surprised if the NFL becomes tempting if he has another record-breaking season.
Other potential prospects: Defensive lineman Markis Deal, wide receiver Jordan Dwyer, edge rusher Zach Chapman, offensive lineman Cade Bennett.
This story was originally published April 30, 2025 at 1:54 PM.
