Analysis: Where TCU football’s roster stands for 2026, position by position
With its transfer portal haul complete, TCU football has put the finishing touches on its 2026 roster.
The Horned Frogs were strategic in addressing their needs in the portal and brought in a smaller class after retaining most of the roster.
TCU added depth at key positions like cornerback and the offensive line while also bringing back its entire defensive front.
With the returning players and quality additions from the portal, the Horned Frogs will be optimistic they can build on their 9-4 finish and No. 25 final ranking this season.
Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of where the roster stands with the additions from the transfer portal:
Quarterback
Returning: Adam Schobel
Incoming: Jaden Craig, Jack Daulton
Departing: Josh Hoover (transfer), Ken Seals (graduation)
Breakdown: Despite losing Hoover to Indiana and Seals, the MVP of the Alamo Bowl, the Horned Frogs should be in good position at the sport’s most important position. TCU signed Craig from Harvard during the portal window, securing an experienced quarterback with NFL upside.
Craig owns many of Harvard’s passing records and led the program to the FCS playoffs. He’ll spend one season in Fort Worth, while Schobel projects to be the backup after redshirting this season. Daulton is an incoming freshman who also likely redshirts in 2026.
Running back
Returning: Jeremy Payne, Jon Denman
Incoming: Amante Martin, Landon Walker, G’Ivori Graham
Departing: Nate Palmer (transfer), Trent Battle (graduation), Kevorian Barnes (graduation), Derrick Carroll (transfer)
Breakdown: The Horned Frogs will lean on Payne and Denman as their duo in the backfield in 2026 after both closed the year strong. Payne scored the game-winning touchdown in the Alamo Bowl and also had back-to-back 100-yard games in the last two regular-season games. Denman quickly shot up the running back rotation during his true freshman season and could provide a similar impact as Barnes did.
Martin and Graham are incoming freshmen, and at least one could work himself into the running back rotation. TCU signed Walker from Division II Colorado School of Mines where he rushed for over 2,000 yards in his career. The position room will miss the veteran Battle, but there’s a chance TCU’s running backs could be even better next season.
Palmer committed to Wisconsin, while Carroll remains unsigned.
Wide receiver
Returning: Terry Shelton, Ed Small, Dozie Ezukanma, Major Everhart, Braylon James, Jordan Dwyer, Jacobe Hayes, Dane Jones
Incoming: Jeremy Scott, Ayson Theus, Khamill Pruitt, James Scott, Cooper Reid
Departing: Eric McAlister (likely NFL), Joseph Manjack (likely NFL), Jordyn Bailey (transfer), Gekyle Baker (transfer)
Breakdown: Replacing McAlister, an All-American and All-Big 12 selection, will be a daunting task, but the return of Dwyer gives TCU a receiver capable of being the No. 1 option. The program opted to only bring in one transfer receiver, which shows how much confidence it has in younger players like Shelton and Ezukanma. Small also had a strong true freshman season and will compete with Everhart in the slot.
TCU signed Scott in the portal from South Alabama, where had 417 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman. He’ll likely battle Shelton and Ezukanma on the outside. The rest of the new additions are incoming freshmen, including Theus from Duncanville and Pruitt from Arlington Lamar.
TCU is betting big on internal development from its younger players to complement Dwyer.
Tight end
Returning: Lafayette Kaiuway, Mason Peterson, Ka’Morreun Pimpton
Incoming: Nacari Ashley
Departing: DJ Rogers (likely NFL), Chase Curtis (graduation)
Breakdown: Another position where TCU prioritized internal development of its younger players over bringing in more experienced options from the portal. The returning tight ends combined for just four receptions, 36 yards and a touchdown, and the program will need to replace Rogers and Curtis. Rogers was one of the most athletic tight ends in the Big 12, while Curtis was a solid blocker and great locker room presence.
Kaiuway and Peterson have flashed their talent in camp settings and will now have a chance for bigger roles in 2026. Pimpton briefly entered the portal before withdrawing his name. The 6-foot-6 North Crowley alum could be a matchup nightmare next season.
Ashley is a name to know after TCU landed him from Navarro College. He was one of the best tight ends at the JUCO level and could provide an instant impact.
Offensive line
Returning: Witten Van Hoy, Tobias Steppes, Ben Taylor-Whitfield, Samir Camacho, Cade Bennett, Dylan Kinney, Logan Schram, Wesley Harvey, Gannon Gaubert, Ryan Hughes, Creece Brister, Jackson Jones, Kilian Registe, Cooper Powers
Incoming: Noah McKinney, Jaheim Buchanon, Vincent Johnson Jr., Devan Robinson, Jordan Burnett
Departing: Carson Bruno (graduation), Remington Strickland (graduation), Quinton Harris (transfer), Rasheed Jackson (transfer), Coltin Deery (likely NFL)
Breakdown: TCU’s offensive line will have some new pieces in 2026 as the Horned Frogs entered the offseason needing to replace Deery, Bruno and Strickland. Deery was the leader of the offensive line and arguably its best performer.
The unit received a boost with Bennett receiving an extra year of eligibility and the signings of Buchanon and McKinney. Those three feel like a safe bet to secure the three starting positions on the interior of the offensive line. Taylor-Whitfield returns to man the right tackle the spot, and the biggest question will be how the unit deals with the absence of Hughes, who suffered a season-ending right leg injury against Colorado on Oct. 4.
It’s unclear how soon he’s expected back, but the most prominent name that could man the position while Hughes recovers is Van Hoy. Harvey and Camacho are two of the younger offensive linemen who could also see bigger roles in 2026.
The transfer portal losses of Harris and Jackson shouldn’t impact the position’s outlook.
Defensive tackle
Returning: Markis Deal, Ansel Din-Mbuh, Connor Lingren, Floyd Guidry, Brody Whatley, Kelten Mickell, Tristan Johnson, Blake Robinett, Perry Cole
Incoming: Duncan McGhee, Maddox Flynt
Departing: None
Breakdown: TCU retained each of its returning defensive tackles, which should bode well for next season’s defense. Deal and Din-Mbuh formed a solid starting duo in the interior this season, while Johnson has been impressive with his opportunities off of the bench.
Lingren was another solid piece who gave TCU good moments, and Cole and Mickell are two more reserves who should help provide quality depth. McGhee and Flynt are incoming freshmen who are likely redshirt candidates.
The strength of the unit will rely on the production of Deal, Din-Mbuh and Johnson.
Edge rusher
Returning: Zach Chapman, Paul Oyewale, Micheal Ibukun-Okeyode, Chad Woodfork, Travis Jackson, John Schobel, Thomas Coppinger, Jared Martin, Keylan Abrams
Incoming: Carter Buck, Jesse Ford, Koron Hayward, Cheta Ofili
Departing: Devean Deal (likely NFL), Jonathan Bax (transfer)
Breakdown: It was huge for the Horned Frogs to retain nearly all of their edge rushers, led by Chapman and Oyewale. There were reports that Oyewale intended to enter the transfer portal in December, but he opted to remain in Fort Worth. That should give TCU a solid 1-2 punch.
Woodfork and Jackson are two younger players who should provide depth behind them next season. Ibukun-Okeyode is a wild card after he missed all of the past two seasons with an injury. When he has played, he’s shown flashes of being dynamic on the edge.
The biggest question is how the unit will handle stud, the hybrid defensive end/linebacker position that was manned by Deal. Bax was the next man up, but he entered the portal and transferred to Florida Atlantic. Jackson could also play stud, but portal signees Hayward (Western Kentucky) and Ofili (Texas Tech) will likely get the first crack.
Martin, Abrams and Schobel are three more names to watch as they battle to move up the rotation.
Linebacker
Returning: Max Carroll, Michael Teason, Anthony Williams, Dillon Arkansas, Hudson Hooper, Sam Haley
Incoming: Noriel Dominguez, Michael Short
Departing: Kaleb Elarms-Orr (likely NFL), Namdi Obiazor (likely NFL)
Breakdown: The biggest question mark on next season’s roster will certainly be linebacker. Elarms-Orr was one of the best linebackers in the nation, earning All-Big 12 honors, while Obiazor has been a leader on the defense since the 2023 season. Replacing them will be a huge task, but TCU has talent at the position.
Keeping Carroll was a major win, as the former four-star recruit has shown flashes of being an impact player. TCU signed Short in the portal from Virginia Tech, and while he’s mostly been a reserve throughout his career, he’ll have a chance to compete for a starting spot against Teason, who has starting experience from his time at Missouri State.
The rest of the room will be mostly redshirt freshmen and one true freshman with the arrival of Dominguez. Offseason workouts will play a huge role in deciding which of the freshmen can move up in the two-deep, as many of the young linebackers need to add size and strength. Haley is probably the most physically ready to play.
TCU has a potential star in Carroll, but is that enough to replace Elarms-Orr and Obiazor?
Cornerback
Returning: Devondre McGee, Vernon Glover, Gil Jackson, Micah Strickland, Deon Mays
Incoming: Zachary Taylor, Brock King, Teon Parks, Kalen Carroll
Departing: Jonah Martinez (transfer), Cameron Jamerson (transfer), Elijah Jackson (transfer), Avery Helm (transfer), Channing Canada (graduation), Jevon McIver (graduation)
Breakdown: Cornerback was arguably TCU’s weakest position last year, which played a part in the Horned Frogs bringing in two cornerbacks from the transfer portal with starting experience. Carroll was a starter at Cincinnati and Central Michigan, while Parks started down the stretch for Colorado.
Those two should battle Glover and Jackson for the starting spots. Jackson had good moments throughout his true freshman season, including making big plays in the Alamo Bowl. Glover was TCU’s best corner, and he’ll be another year removed from the season-ending injury he endured in 2024.
McGee and Strickland are two more younger players who could compete as well. King and Taylor are incoming freshmen who will likely redshirt, but keep an eye on Taylor getting some early reps.
Jamerson transferred to Boise State, while Helm landed at UNLV.
Safety
Returning: Jamel Johnson, Kylin Jackson, Jordan Lester, Julius Simms, Joseph Albright, Kaden McFadden, Ryan Yaites, Devyn Hidrogo
Incoming: Jacob Fields, Jason Bradford
Departing: Bud Clark (likely NFL), Austin Jordan (graduation)
Breakdown: The primary goal during the offseason for TCU was to find a replacement for Clark. The multitime All-Big 12 selection ended his career as one of the best defenders in program history and a fan favorite. It was a challenging task, but the Horned Frogs landed Fields in the transfer portal from Louisiana Tech, and he’ll get the first shot at filling Clark’s shoes.
Fields was voted co-Defensive Player of the Year in Conference USA and brings a wealth of experience. The return of Johnson, an All-Big selection, gives the room a leader and playmaker to follow behind. TCU also needs to replace Jordan at nickel safety and that should end up being a battle between Jackson and Simms. Simms had a strong true freshman season.
Lester is another name to know as he filled in for Clark while he was injured and has been his understudy the past few seasons. Expect him to push Fields. Bradford was a four-star signee in the 2026 class, and while he’s considered a bit raw, it might be hard to keep him off the field.
Specialists
Returning: Kyle Lemmermann, Nate McCashland, Easton Black
Incoming: John Hoyet Chance, Zachary Hays
Departing: Ethan Craw (graduation)
Breakdown: The Horned Frogs will hope for more consistency in special teams with a healthy Lemmermann available. McCashland filled in at kicker for Lemmermann most of the season while he dealt with an injury and showed progress as the season continued on. Lemmermann should be the starter, but McCashland could push him during camp.
Chance should step in immediately to take over at punter for Craw. Chance was a productive punter at Louisiana Tech. TCU signed Hays from Southlake Carroll, and he was ranked one of the best punters in the country in the class of 2026.
This story was originally published January 21, 2026 at 4:45 AM.
