When TCU fans reflect of the season wide receiver Eric McAlister had, they’ll think of the 1,121 yards or the 10 touchdowns or the 254 yards he had against SMU.

All of those moments helped McAlister become a third-team All-American and a first-team All-Big 12 selection. They also likely helped cement him as a future selection in the upcoming NFL draft in April.

But the moments that truly defined McAlister’s season and his growth as a person oftentimes didn’t show up on the stat sheet.

After transferring from Boise State, McAlister’s TCU career got off to a rough start in August 2024 when he ran into legal troubles stemming from an altercation at a Whataburger the previous March.

Those type of incidents have derailed many promising athletic careers, but it served as McAlister’s turning point.

Head coach Sonny Dykes and wide receivers coach Malcolm Kelly opted to keep McAlister on the team, and the Azle native vindicated that second chance by becoming one of the nation’s best wide receivers and best leaders.

“Coach Dykes and Coach Kelly kept me here when I got into some trouble,” McAlister said. “I knew when the bowl game came around and Coach Dykes asked me if I could play, there was no doubt I was going to play in this game.”

Here are three moments that defined McAlister’s All-American season as he prepares for one last game against USC in the Alamo Bowl at 8 p.m. Tuesday in San Antonio (ESPN).

The block against North Carolina

TCU made quite the statement in its season-opening 48-14 win over coach Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels on Labor Day. As dominant as TCU was across the board, McAlister had one of his quietest games of the season with only three receptions for 20 yards.

It would’ve been easy for McAlister to be frustrated with the lack of touches in a prime-time game, but instead he made one of the game-changing plays. Leading 20-7 after halftime, the Horned Frogs established full control of the game with a 75-yard touchdown run by Kevorian Barnes to start the third quarter.

As Barnes raced up the field to try and outrun his defender, McAlister flew in to deliver the final block that sprung Barnes loose and broke the game open. It wouldn’t be the only time McAlister created a big play for a teammate by being willing to put his body on the line.

Playing through pain in Tempe

Dealing with a lower-body injury, McAlister had every reason not to play against Arizona State on Sept. 26, but despite clearly being hobbled and in pain, McAlister still played double-digit snaps against the Sun Devils.

His presence helped TCU jump out to a 17-0 first-half lead that the Horned Frogs were unable to maintain in the 27-24 defeat.

Despite the loss, it was another sign of McAlister being willing put the team before himself.

The Seals speech

After TCU quarterback Josh Hoover announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 18, it caused many to wonder whether would McAlister play in the Alamo Bowl.

He had already proven everything he needed to during the regular season and now wouldn’t have the quarterback who helped him amass such impressive numbers. Backup quarterback Ken Seals would get the start against the Trojans in his first significant action all season.

Most players would have opted out, but McAlister isn’t most players.

“I’ll never forget this. The day after Josh left, Eric got up in front of the whole team and said, ‘Ken’s our guy, we got his back,’” TCU tight ends coach and bowl game play-caller Mitch Kirsch said. “I thought that was really powerful and speaks to the culture of this team as well. That was something that was really awesome to see.”

McAlister sensed that team morale was shaky after Hoover’s sudden departure, and it could’ve easily led to a domino effect of multiple stars opting out, but McAlister was determined to not let that happen.

“I wasn’t going to leave no one out there high and dry,” McAlister said. “Our OC left us, our QB left us, and I wasn’t going to sit at home and watch my teammates play a game that I really wanted to play in.

“I really care for Ken, and I knew that if I’m going to play, I can get all these guys behind Ken. And if we can get everybody behind Ken, to believe in Ken, we’re going to win the football game.”

As for the other moments against North Carolina and Arizona State, McAlister said those were just a reflection of who he is as a person.

“I love football so much,” McAlister said. “It’s given me so much, so any time I can give back to it, whether it’s going to watch little kids play or staying and playing for Ken and giving my all to the team, it’s not something I decided to do out the blue. It’s something I’ve been doing since a little kid.”

With the plays he’s made on the field and the leadership he’s shown in the locker room, McAlister is a great example of young people not letting mistakes of the past define them.

McAlister will go down as one of the best wide receivers to ever play at TCU, and helping the team stay together after Hoover’s departure is a moment that could set the stage for the 2026 season.

This story was originally published December 29, 2025 at 11:25 AM.

Steven Johnson

Fort Worth Star-Telegram