This All-Big 12 safety is embracing his leadership role with TCU football
With so many household names on defense gone, TCU football will need a new set of leaders to step up during the fall.
One of those players figures to be strong safety Jamel Johnson. The All-Big 12 safety had a breakout year with 96 tackles and five interceptions as a junior.
Johnson’s return to Fort Worth gives TCU one of the best safeties in the country, and with the departure of stars like Bud Clark, Namdi Obiazor and Kaleb Elarms-Orr, it’s on Johnson to assume that leadership mantle in 2026. So far the former Arlington Seguin standout has been up to the task.
“I’ve been approaching it each and every way,” Johnson said Thursday. “In the classroom, meetings, out here on the field. I just got to be more vocal and let the young guys know anything’s possible.”
Johnson will be a good example for TCU’s younger players to follow. He was a four-star recruit when he signed with TCU ahead of the 2023 season. He became a starter in 2024 and then had his breakout year last season.
Johnson has always had the physical tools, but he credits his success last year to his mental growth.
“I was just more dialed in, you know what I’m saying?” Johnson said. “I was watching more film and I knew what was around me and what was at stake for me. I was just locked into the coaching staff and listened to what they were telling me.”
In December 2024, Johnson nearly left TCU when he entered the transfer portal after a strong sophomore campaign.
The Horned Frogs were successful in convincing him to come back, which set the stage for him to emerge as one of the nation’s top safeties. After helping TCU finish the season on a three-game winning streak, there was no contemplating another move for Johnson this off-season. He was fully committed to ending his career as a Horned Frog.
“It’s a special place, I know what we’re building here and what we’re going to do this season,” Johnson said. “I just want to be a part of that change.”
Along with Clark, TCU must also replace Austin Jordan at nickel safety, making Johnson the only returning safety from last season.
There are new faces in the room, like Louisiana Tech transfer Jacob Fields, along with returners like Kylin Jackson, Jordan Lester and Julius Simms all vying for roles beside Johnson. So far, the senior believes the group is developing well thanks to the competition across the board.
“We’re a young defense, so I feel like we’re growing each and every week,” Johnson said. “We just gotta keep stacking days, keep learning and keep teaching each other. The veterans have to let the young dudes know that they’re good enough to do this.... they’re competing well. Competing makes everybody better.
“Knowing that we have two guys at each position that are going to compete for a starting job, they’re just going to grow together. There’s no bad blood, just competing and competition. We’re all close and want to see each other win.”
As for Johnson, he’s been one of the top performers on defense with multiple interceptions during camp, and continues to be a factor in run support.
Johnson is the rare safety that excels as both, and has all the makings of being an NFL draft pick next year. As for his final season, Johnson has lofty goals he’s hoping to achieve.
“I just want to be more vocal, getting my hands on the ball more,” Johnson said. “I also want to win the Jim Thorpe Award, that’s a big thing for me, showing everybody I’m the best in the country.”
