TCU football prioritizing Southlake Carroll standout wide receiver
Southlake Carroll has a knack for producing elite wide receivers, and TCU is prioritizing the Dragons’ next possible star, Brody Knowles.
The 6-foot-4.5 wideout had a breakout 2024 season with 544 yards and eight touchdowns. He followed that up with 816 yards and seven touchdowns last season while helping Southlake Carroll reach the Class 6A Division II state semifinals. Knowles is ranked as a three-star recruit on 247Sports.
Knowles views himself as a deep threat at receiver, but also says his strengths include his physicality at the line and his ability to run smooth routes despite his frame. With his production and physical traits, Knowles has become one of the Horned Frogs’ top targets this cycle, and TCU made sure to make a strong impression during his official visit last weekend.
“It was a great weekend. I got to spend a lot of time with [assistant head coach/wide receivers coach Malcolm Kelly], the whole coaching staff, Coach [Sonny] Dykes,” Knowles said. “I brought my family up there, my mom and dad came with me, and my sister was there for like about half of it. It was awesome. I mean, we got to see everything. The coaches were great. It was a great time.”
Knowles’ relationship with Kelly has been one reason the Horned Frogs have been at the top of his recruitment list.
“We got a really strong relationship. He’s been recruiting me for about three years, basically now,” Knowles said. “He’s always been real since day one. We’ve always had a really great relationship, like we’ve always been really close. We talk all the time.”
Like Knowles, Kelly was a big-bodied receiver coming out of Longview, Texas. Kelly went on to star at Oklahoma before being selected in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft by Washington.
Since he began his coaching career, Kelly has become of the top developers of NFL talent across the country. In recent years, Kelly has put players like Quentin Johnston, Derius Davis, Jack Bech and Savion Williams into the NFL.
That track record stands out to Knowles.
“Development’s basically my main thing,” Knowles said. “It’s development and relationships that I base [my recruitment] off of. They have both. Especially Coach Kelly, he’s probably one of the best in the country, and his track record proves it. He’s put some bigger receivers in the league, too. He’s a bigger receiver and so am I, so it’s a good fit.”
Knowles also said he likes what he’s seen from TCU’s new offense under coordinator Gordon Sammis. Kendal Briles had been the offensive coordinator throughout most of his recruitment, and while the scheme is different, Knowles still likes the overall offensive approach.
“Coach Sammis, I met him back when he first came in January. He’s a great dude, too,” Knowles said. “I really like him, coming down from UConn. I mean, they had a great year up there with [wide receiver] Skyler Bell. I think their quarterback had some crazy stats, too. He showed me some videos and some plays. I love it. It looks good.”
Knowles is down to four schools, with TCU being among the finalists with Arkansas, Illinois and Colorado. He’s already visited Illinois and will visit Arkansas and Colorado before his commitment date June 22.
With relationships and NFL development being the primary factors in his decision, that bodes well for TCU’s chances. As he mulls his recruitment, Knowles is also focused on getting better in his final high school season and being a leader like departed Dragons wide receiver Brock Boyd, now at Ohio State.
“We got a young team, so I’m really trying to step up in the leadership role,” Knowles said. “I got voted a team captain this year, so I’m just trying to lead by example as the main thing, kind of like how Brock did for me last year and the years previously.”
