2024 TCU Football Preview: Linebackers

All-Big 12 honorees Namdi Obiazor and Johnny Hodges headline the players back to anchor the middle of the TCU defense.

TCU football welcomes back nearly all of its standout linebackers from the 2023 season. Getting them on the field could be a bigger question, as the Horned Frogs are moving to a 4-2-5 defensive alignment under new defensive coordinator Andy Avalos. Unlike the 3-3-5 scheme TCU ran under former coordinator Joe Gillespie, the Horned Frogs will only have two linebackers anchoring the middle of the defense, with the third linebacker filling an edge-rushing role around the defensive line. Regardless of the new scheme, TCU should have multiple experienced players to call on for leadership and production this fall.

Among the leading returners are 2023 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention Namdi Obiazor and 2022 All-Big 12 Second Team member Johnny Hodges. Obiazor was arguably TCU’s best linebacker last season, leading the Horned Frogs with 84 total tackles and four sacks while adding two pass breakups. A converted safety who arrived in Fort Worth after beginning his career at the JUCO level, Obiazor started all 12 games last season and should remain in the mix as a starting linebacker for the Horned Frogs when TCU takes the field this fall.

Hodges burst onto the scene two years ago, earning Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors and helping TCU defeat Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl to reach the national title game. The 2023 season was a bust, however, as Hodges sustained multiple injuries and was limited to four games to preserve a redshirt season. His absence was noteworthy for the Horned Frogs, who struggled on defense throughout 2023 and failed to qualify for a bowl game after reaching the national championship in the previous season. Hodges is back at full health for the 2024 season and should be a factor for the Horned Frogs this fall.

Also returning from the 2023 roster is Shad Banks Jr., who finished with a team-high 8.5 tackles for loss and accumulated 62 total tackles last season. The former Texas A&M transfer made eight starts over TCU’s final nine games and has appeared in 38 games over his three seasons with the Horned Frogs. Additionally, TCU welcomes back former LSU transfer Marcel Brooks, who enters his fifth season with the Horned Frogs after playing in 10 games last season. Brooks has been taking reps at the EDGE position during fall camp.

Speaking of the EDGE rusher role, reports from fall camp indicate that Tulane transfer Devean Deal and San Diego State transfer Cooper McDonald are the leaders at that position. The older brother of defensive lineman Markis Deal, Devean arrives in Fort Worth after recording 13 tackles for loss and four sacks for the Green Wave in 2023. McDonald began his collegiate career at Washington before transferring to San Diego State, where he totaled 84 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks over the last two seasons before signing with TCU. Deal and McDonald will be the names to watch on the edge this fall.

Moving back to the middle, another name to watch will be California transfer Kaleb Elarms-Orr, who comes to TCU after an outstanding 2023 campaign where he totaled 92 tackles and six pass breakups for the Golden Bears. Reports from fall camp indicate that Elarms-Orr is battling for a starting spot and could be a major contributor this fall. Young linebackers to keep an eye on include former four-star recruit Max Carroll, who has reportedly received second-team reps during fall camp. Terrance Cooks Jr., Jonathan Bax and Kylan Salter all return from the 2023 roster to provide the Horned Frog defense with added depth.