2024 TCU Football Preview: Defensive Line

The Horned Frogs return two starters from last year’s squad but enter 2024 without their star nose tackle.

Finally, after several installments of the positional reviews highlighting the Horned Frogs’ offense—we’re onto the defensive side of the ball. We’ll start with the defensive line, coached by JaMarkus McFarland. Two of last season’s starters, redshirt sophomore Paul Oyewale and senior Caleb Fox will return. While TCU returns two-thirds of the defensive line, Damonic Williams’s decision to transfer to Oklahoma leaves a massive void in the middle. The Horned Frogs defense will replace 33 tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks. While losing Williams is a tough blow, the Horned Frogs have a worthy replacement in redshirt senior Tymon Mitchell. However, both Fox and Oyewale will likely be the biggest difference makers.

Last season, Fox recorded 28 total tackles and two sacks. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound interior lineman is a space-eater who’s especially stout against the run. Flanking the 2023 Big 12 Honorable Mention will be Oyewale, a physically imposing 6-foot-4, 275-pound defensive end. Oyewale appeared in 11 games last year and totaled 23 tackles and three sacks. Manning the middle will likely be Mitchell, although redshirt freshman Markis Neal has the opportunity to earn playing time. Mitchell recorded 15 total tackles and a pass deflection last year. Neal, a true freshman then, recorded two total stops and half a sack against Nichols State.

Aside from the four aforementioned defensive linemen, NaNa Osafo-Mensah and Zachary Chapman will likely get some run on the second unit. Osafo-Mensah returns back to Fort Worth after spending four seasons suiting up for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Fort Worth native recorded 20 total tackles and three sacks a season ago. Osafo-Mensah has heard his praises throughout the summer. In addition to being named to the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy (college football’s award for community service) watchlist, Sonny Dykes has raved about Osafo-Mensah’s maturity and leadership this offseason.

Chapman, on the other hand, is a redshirt freshman who appeared in two games during the Horned Frogs’ 2023 season. The 6-foot-5 lineman recorded his only statistic—a tackle—against Nichols State. He could be in for a decent-sized role this season as a situational pass rusher in Andy Avalos’ new defensive scheme. Lastly, Micheal Ibukun-Okeyode should see extended action on the field. The former three-star recruit played well in a rotational role a season ago. He notched 17 total tackles, 13 of which were solo, and ranked fourth on the Horned Frogs recording five tackles for loss. Ibukun-Okeyode also demonstrated his ability to get after the quarterback—racking up 2.5 sacks a year ago. He’ll likely challange for a starting spot on the edge, although he’s missed a big chunk of the offseason due to injury.

The rest of the defensive line is made up of underclassmen and one senior—Hakeem Ajijolaiya, a transfer via Houston. Ajijolaiya recorded 21 total tackles, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery (against TCU) last season. Amongst the freshman are Tristan Johnson, Travis Jackson, and Sterlin Brooks. Several returnees, who redshirted a season ago, will also aim for some playing time. Those players are Keviyan Huddleston and Avion Carter. Both Huddleston and Carter appeared in one game last year—against Nichols State. The remaining defensive lineman are Blake Jones (sophomore) and Luke Dodds (junior), who have a combined two games of collegiate experience.