2024 TCU Football Preview: Safeties

The Horned Frog defense returns two safeties and added three more ballhawks to solidify the backline.

While roster turnover has run rampant in recent seasons, the Horned Frogs’ defensive backfield will look somewhat similar to a season ago. Although the cornerback unit is revamped, two of the three safeties from TCU’s Fiesta Bowl Championship squad will return. Those safeties are Bud Clark and Abe Camara. Aside from the returnees, the newest additions at safety are transfers Richard Toney Jr., Cam Smith, and Jaise Oliver. Toney Jr. hails from the University of Nevada. The junior defensive back racked up 65 total tackles, a sack, and two interceptions (both returned for touchdowns) a year ago—the Arlington native returns to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex following two seasons of suiting up for the Wolfpack.

Yet another ballhawk, the former Memphis Tiger, Smith, hauled in three interceptions a season ago. The senior safety racked up career-highs across the board last season. He recorded 57 tackles and six pass deflections to go along with his team-leading three takeaways. The Tulsa transfer, Oliver, brings the most experience to the Horned Frogs defensive backfield. The grad transfer spent four seasons playing for the Golden Hurricanes. His best season was 2023—that year, Oliver broke up six passes and recorded four interceptions.

While the transfers bring experience and playmaking, TCU’s returnees form one of the best one-two punches on the roster. Clark is one of the most experienced players on the entire team—appearing in 38 games across four seasons. In Clark’s 38 appearances, (22 of which were starts) he’s amassed 91 tackles, 18 pass deflections, eight interceptions, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. Although he’s already been named one of TCU’s 17 players on the Shrine Bowl Watchlist, there could be more in store for Clark after yet another strong seasons as the Horned Frogs’ free safety. Clark’s running mate, Camara, has nearly appeared in as many contests as Clark, with 35 games under his belt. Camara’s racked up 95 tackles, nine pass deflections, an interception, and three tackles for loss across three seasons. Prior to enrolling at TCU, the 6-foot defensive back was the no. 1 rated JUCO safety at Coffeyville Community College.

Rounding out the defensive backfield are transfer Austin Jordan, Jamel Johnson, and numerous freshman. Jordan, a Texas transfer, played 25 games across two seasons for the Longhorns. He comes to TCU with an opportunity to contribute on special teams right away and vie for a starting safety spot a year from now. Johnson enters his second collegiate season in Fort Worth. The former four-star played in 10 games as a true freshman and totaled 19 tackles. Even though Johnson will likely begin the season as a reserve, he should get some quality playing time once again this year. The remaining safeties, Devyn Hidrogo, Kaden McFadden, Jordan Lester, Jake McMillman, Judson Crockett, and Sebastian Peterson will likely redshirt or contribute on special teams. After redshirting a season ago, there’s a possibility Lester gets some snaps in relief of Camara.