After TCU exit, Miami lineman talks about returning to DFW for Cotton Bowl
James Brockermeyer made a contentious exit from TCU, but it’s hard to argue with his decision to transfer to Miami.
The senior center from Fort Worth is headed back to the Metroplex with the Hurricanes (11-2) to face defending national champion Ohio State (12-1) in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31 at AT&T Stadium.
Brockermeyer transferred to TCU from Alabama for the 2024 season. After a successful year, he eventually left for Miami in a dispute over name, image and likeness payments, the Star-Telegram has reported.
It was a surprising breakup for a family with deep Fort Worth roots. James Brockermeyer’s father, Blake, starred at Arlington Heights High School and the University of Texas before being a first-round NFL draft pick. James and his brothers Tommy and Luke were standouts at Fort Worth All Saints Episcopal. Tommy also played a year at TCU, and Luke was an assistant coach for the Horned Frogs.
James Brockermeyer said it’s nice to play in front of friends and family, but his focus is on trying to advance to the semifinals.
“It’s cool for my friends and family be able to come the game,” he said. “But I’d say playing in the quarterfinals against Ohio State is more than enough motivation to get ready for the game, and there’s a lot more to the game than just me coming around where I’m from. So we’re really excited for the opportunity.”
Brockermeyer, listed at 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds, earned third-team All-ACC honors and received first-team All-American honors from CBS Sports this season.
“I think coming to Miami, one of the biggest things I’ve grown with, just like a mental understanding of the game,” he said. “I think I’ve really been fortunate to have really good coaches who have poured just so much into me over the season, you know, teach me all the formations, all the tags we have in our pass, run game. And, you know, I feel like I have a much broader understanding of the entire offense as a whole here than places I’ve been in the past.”
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said Brockermeyer was an immediate fit with the team’s culture.
“He’s very professional. He’s got those bloodlines, right?” Cristobal said. “Whole family’s been doing it forever, and that offensive line room, again, led by [coach Alex Mirabal], has a certain level of DNA as well. Very high standards, extremely high level work ethic, there’s no BS to that group, right? I mean, they operate as one all the time and everything, and a guy like James being the same type of guy, we felt it was a perfect fit.
“So it was a seamless transition. We’ve been blessed with some really good centers for the past few years, and he stepped right in. He’s been awesome all year, really has been, and he’s tough and he’s physical, He’s smart, he’s an absolute grinder. Just absolutely love what he’s done for the program this year.”
This story was originally published December 23, 2025 at 1:51 PM.
