2025 TCU football preview: Do the Horned Frogs have the best linebacker duo in the Big 12?
On paper TCU’s linebackers should be one of the strengths of the team.
The Horned Frogs return two all-conference caliber linebackers and have a young up and coming linebacker that is set for a big role in 2025.
TCU will need to replace Johnny Hodges, who led the team with 89 tackles. Hodges’ leadership and tough mentality will be missed, but there’s a case to be made that the Horned Frogs will be more talented at the position this year.
The biggest question mark facing the linebackers will be depth as many of the reserves will be first or second year players. Despite the youth the Horned Frogs still have high expectations for the position group.
The Star-Telegram continues its TCU football preview with a look at the linebackers:
Linebackers
Starters: Namdi Obiazor, Kaleb Elarms-Orr
Next up: Max Carroll, Michael Teason
Depth: Keylan Abrams, Anthony Williams, Dillon Arkansas, Hudson Hooper, Luke Lingard, Sam Haley, Caleb Cortez, Blake Baldwin
Breakdown: The return of Obiazor was a major boost for the defense. The former safety had 81 tackles, 2.5 sacks and interception last season and one major reason he returned was to show NFL scouts he could play linebacker full-time at the next level. Obiazor will assume the leadership role in Hodges’ place and hopes his final season will be his best.
Elarms-Orr joined TCU last season after being voted All-Pac-12 in 2023. Despite playing behind Hodges and Obiazor, Elarms-Orr still produced 54 tackles and two sacks as TCU’s first linebacker off the bench. He’s the most natural linebacker in the room with excellent instincts and the ability to thrive against the run and pass. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Elarms-Orr ends up being TCU’s leading tackler.
Carroll’s upside is tantalizing as he’s been one of TCU’s best practice players the last few seasons. In his first real action of his career last year, Carroll appeared in all 13 games with 20 tackles. Carroll was a standout offensive player in high school and has maintained those ball skills while transitioning to linebacker. During the spring, Carroll generated a number of turnovers and could be a dynamic option off the bench for TCU.
Teason should be with Carroll on the second unit, assuming he’s able to make the transition after transferring to TCU from Missouri State. Teason was named a FCS Freshman All-American by Phil Steele after producing 51 tackles, seven for loss and recovering two fumbles. The Horned Frogs needed another linebacker with real experience behind Obiazor and Elarms-Orr and Teason checks those boxes.
The rest of the position room is young and unproven. Williams, Abrams and Arkansas were all early enrollees that got to go through the spring and receive valuable reps. One of the three should emerge in the rotation with Williams being a key name to watch. Haley is another name to know, he was a three-star signee in TCU’s 2025 class out of Nashville.
Best case scenario: One of Obiazor or Elarms-Orr earns All-Big 12 honors with a 90-plus tackle season. The pair asserts itself as the best duo in the conference leading to the best defensive year in the Sonny Dykes era. Carroll produces nearly 50 tackles, setting the stage for a big 2026 for him.
Worst case scenario: The linebackers are hit with a rash of injuries and without Obiazor or Elarms-Orr, TCU’s defense fails to take a step forward as the Horned Frogs are forced to rely on freshmen at the position.
TCU begins fall camp on Friday.
