Pass rusher Devean Deal embracing leadership role with TCU football
Senior pass rusher Devean Deal was an underrated transfer portal pick up from Tulane for TCU last season.
You never know how a player will transition from the Group of Five level to a power conference like the Big 12, but Deal showed he was more than capable of thriving against tougher competition.
Deal lead the Horned Frogs with 5.5 sacks and also had 46 tackles. Deal had a stretch of three straight games with a sack against Utah, Baylor and Texas Tech. He never doubted that he could play in a league like the Big 12, but it was still special for Deal to actually go out and prove it on the field.
“We had some really good teams in the American, but playing against higher competition I already knew I could play at this level,” Deal said at Big 12 Football Media Days. “Now I don’t want to just play at this level, I want to be a dominant player.”
The Horned Frogs will need a dominant Deal as TCU has to replace pass rushers like Cooper McDonald, Nana Osafo-Mensah and Marcel Brooks.
Those three accounted for 8.5 sacks and Osafo-Mensah was also a leader in the locker room after transferring in from Notre Dame.
Leadership needed
Despite the losses at edge rusher head coach Sonny Dykes believes Deal will be able to pick up any potential slack.
“He’s just really consistent, he loves to play football,” Dykes said. “He’s a very mature guy, he’s methodical in his preparation and his work ethic. He’s a productive football player that can do a lot of different things.”
During the spring Deal was sidelined with an upper body injury, but that allowed him to take a step back and work on his leadership skill.
Even with his arm in a sling Deal was often seen engaged and coaching up his teammates throughout drills. It was difficult not being able to go through his final spring, but Deal made the most of the minor setback.
“I’m definitely taking more of a leadership role this season,” Deal said. “Last year when I got here I felt like I led by example, if anyone ever saw me working they know I’m working my butt off, but this year I’m focusing on being more vocal.
“This is a position coach (Andy) Avalos has put me in, he’s my position coach and my defensive coordinator, he’s given me a lot of responsibility in that role. I appreciate it, it’s something I wanted to do and I’m excited about being able to lead the team. It’s my last year.”
Versatile performer
Deal already showcased his versatility against the pass and run last season and now his emerging leadership skills are an added bonus for the defense.
“He can rush, he can cover, he can do all the things you kind of want a hybrid to do,” Dykes said. “Not many guys can do that, a lot of guys you want to do that, but a lot of guys don’t have the feel that he has. He’s a really valuable player, a really productive guy and he has great leadership.”
Deal will be one of the pillars of defense with other players like Bud Clark, Namdi Obiazor and his younger brother Markis.
With so many key pieces from last year returning Deal has high expectations for the defense as a whole.
“I feel like the defense should be a strength,” Deal said. “I’ve always felt that way internally, but externally people are looking down on us. I found that out here at media days with all the questions, so it’ll be about proving we are who we think we are.”
This story was originally published July 18, 2025 at 8:59 AM.
