2024 Transfer Portal Retrospective: Former Horned Frogs

A look back at how the players that departed the TCU Football program last offseason performed at their new homes in 2024

The 2025 transfer portal opens on Monday December 9th and there are already players flooding in to announce that they will be seeking new opportunities, looking for the greener grass of NIL endorsements, playing time, or a shot at a championship. Before the 2025 window opens, let’s take a look back how the player movement impacted the Horned Frogs in 2024, starting with the players that left Fort Worth to continue their collegiate careers elsewhere

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Headliners

Randon Fontenette, Safety, Vanderbilt (6-6)

12 games played, 72 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 interception, 1 touchdown, 8 passes defensed

A four-star prospect and top-three rated player in TCU’s 2023 recruiting class, the Horned Frogs had high expectations for Fontenette. He played in all 12 games of his true freshman season, logging 8 tackles in the season finale at Oklahoma. Despite likely seeing a starting role in 2023, Fontenette entered the transfer portal on December 5, 2023 & just two days later committed to move to Nashville and join the Vanderbilt Commodores. Fontenette was an instant impact for the Dores, third on the team in tackles, third on the team in sacks and leading the team with eight pass break ups. Fontenette also recorded a critical pick-six in Vanderbilt’s historic victory over No. 1 Alabama.

Chandler Morris, Quarterback, North Texas (6-6)

12 games played, 63% completions, 3,774 passing yards, 31 TDs, 12 interceptions, 242 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs

A Horned Frog legend for the 532 yard, 3 TD performance in the 2021 victory over the Baylor Bears, Morris was never really able to fall into a groove in Fort Worth. He suffered injuries during each of his starting campaigns after earning the QB1 job in camp in both 2022 & 2023, after beating out Max Duggan and Josh Hoover. Morris flourished in the high flying Mean Green offense, ranking third nationally in passing touchdowns (31) and fifth nationally in passing yards (3,774) in 2024.

Damonic Williams, Defensive Line, Oklahoma Sooners (6-6)

12 games played, 34 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble

The starting nose tackle for TCU as a 17-year old true freshman to open the 2022 season, Williams would go on to earn Freshman All-American honors as the anchor to a defensive line and a key cog in the Horned Frogs’ run to the National Championship. Williams started every game during his two seasons in purple, with 60 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. Entering the transfer portal following the 2023 season, Williams started a massive bidding war across the nation’s richest programs, eventually landing in Norman with the Sooners. While the stats never jump off the screen, his tape always does as a powerful disruptor in the trenches.

Impact Players

Zach Marcheselli, Linebacker, Tulsa (3-9)

12 games played, 47 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 safety

A great example of a transfer portal success story, a player who had experienced limited opportunity at one program becoming a key contributor elsewhere. Marcheselli spent five seasons with the Horned Frogs before returning to his hometown Golden Hurricane. While in Fort Worth, the linebacker had 20 total tackles across those five seasons. He more than doubled that in his single year at Tulsa, ranking fifth on the team.

Jai’Onte McMillan, Cornerback, Minnesota (7-5)

10 games played, 18 tackles

McMillan played in 32 games over four seasons at TCU, with his best statistical year coming in 2022 where he logged 10 of his 15 career tackles, including two stops in the CFP semifinal win over Michigan. A starter at the nickel/slot corner for the Golden Gophers, McMillan surpassed that four-year production in his first season in Minneapolis and is expected to return for his sixth collegiate season as a leader of that defense.

Mason White, Cornerback, Oregon State (5-7)

12 games player, 17 tackles, 1 blocked kick

Joining the Frogs as a Juco addition ahead of the 2023 season, White was among a handful of players looking to replace Thorpe Award winner Tre’vius Hodges-Tomlinson at the cornerback spot opposite All-Big 12 CB Josh Newton. White fell behind in that race and ultimately only saw action in four games for TCU, recording just one tackle. White became a regular contributor in the Beavers’ secondary rotation, including a blocked field goal to preserve the shut out over Air Force.

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Other Transfer Players

Champ Lewis, Cornerback, Tulsa (3-9)
1 game played, 1 tackle

Ish Burdine, Safety, New Mexico (5-7)
1 game played, 1 tackle

Chace Biddle, Safety, Trinity Valley CC (5-4)
8 games played, 20 tackles, 1 interception

Javeon Wilcox, Safety, Texas Tech (8-4)
No games played, missed season with injury

Grant Tisdale, Quarterback, North Texas (6-6)
No games played

Corey Wren, Running Back, UTEP (3-9)
8 games played, 24 rush yards, 6 receiving yards, 1 kick return TD

DJ Allen, Wide Receiver, UTSA (6-6)
6 games played, 11 receptions, 161 receiving yards, 1 TD

Rohan Fluellen, Wide Receiver, Stephen F. Austin (7-5)
9 games played, 21 receptions, 221 receiving yards, 2 TDs

Cordale Russell, Wide Receiver, Colorado (9-3)
No games played, missed season with injury, has reportedly re-entered the portal

Ezra Dotson-Oyetade, Offensive Line, Texas State (7-5)
2 games played

Jasper Lott, Offensive Line, North Texas (6-6)
3 games played

Brione Ramsey-Brooks, Offensive Line, Trinity Valley CC (5-4)
3 games played