2024 Transfer Portal Retrospective: New Horned Frogs

A look back at the 2024 production of the players that transferred into the TCU Football program last offseason

In 2025, the TCU Horned Frogs are once again expected to be major player in the transfer portal marketplace, looking for instant impact and long-term production to add to the Big 12’s top-ranked high school recruiting class. Sonny Dykes and staff have consistently been able to identify players to bring to Fort Worth that fit the culture and the schemes, delivering significant roster boosts as major contributors. Having already broken down the performance of Horned Frogs that left the program in 2024, let’s now take a look at what the inbound transfers did for TCU this regular season

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The Headliner

Eric McAlister, Wide Receiver, Boise State

12 games played, 31 receptions, 675 yards, 4 TDs

A big play waiting to happen, whenever the Horned Frogs absolutely needed something, McAlister was there to get it. Of his 31 receptions, 29 went for first downs or touchdowns, leading the nation in receiving first down production. McAlister was third on the team in receiving yards & TDs in 2024; with a ton of production being lost to graduation, expect the junior wideout to be a focal point of the offense in 2025.

Rebuilt Offensive Line

Remington Strickland, Offensive Line, Texas A&M
12 games played

Carson Bruno, Offensive Line, Louisiana Tech
11 games played

James Brockermeyer, Offensive Line, Alabama
12 games played, All-Big 12 Honorable Mention

Bless Harris, Offensive Line, Florida State
12 games played, All-Big 12 Honorable Mention

Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images

The TCU Offensive Line was underrated in 2024. While the ground game never really got rolling, the pass protection in keeping Josh Hoover clean was top notch. On 468 pass attempts, TCU only suffered 14 sacks. That number ranks 21st nationally for fewest sacks allowed, considering many of the teams ranked in the top 20 rarely ever pass, and even fewer pass at the rate of the Frogs, this unit did a tremendous job allowing the pass game to succeed.

Other Offensive Transfers

Ken Seals, Quarterback, Vanderbilt
5 games played, 82% completions, 92 yards, 1 touchdown, 12 rushing yards

Dominique Johnson, Running Back, Arkansas
12 games played, 65 total yards, 1 touchdown

Drake Dabney, Tight End, Baylor
12 games played, 12 receptions, 120 yards

Braylon James, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame
8 games played, 2 receptions, 6 yards

Jacob Porter, Tight End, Alabama
1 game played, no stats recorded

Cade Bennett, Offensive Line San Diego State
0 games played. Missed season with injury

Rebuilt Secondary

Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images

LaMareon James, Cornerback, Old Dominion
12 games played, 33 tackles, 11 pass break ups, 1 interception, 1 blocked kick

JaTravis Broughton, Cornerback, Utah
12 games played, 35 tackles, 5 pass break ups

Jevon McIver Jr. Cornerback, Austin Peay
9 games, 35 tackles, 5 pass break ups

Austin Jordan, Cornerback, Texas
12 games played, 13 tackles

Jaise Oliver, Safety, Tulsa
12 games played, 12 tackles

Cam Smith, Safety, Memphis
7 games played, 22 tackles, 1 pass break up

Richard Toney Jr. Safety, Nevada
9 games played, 9 tackles, 1 pass break up

The Horned Frogs needed major secondary reinforcements ahead of the 2024 season, losing a massive amount of production, including , All-Big 12 cornerback Josh Newton and starting safeties Millard Bradford & Mark Perry. TCU targeted instant-impact guys in the transfer portal to step directly into starting roles, bringing in a large group of guys to fill those gaps ahead of a schedule loaded with talented wide receiver threats. The newcomers were led by Old Dominion transfer CB LaMareon “Scud” James locking down one side of the field while Utah transfer JaTravis Broughton earned the starting role on the other side of the field. Memphis transfer safety Cam Smith had a major impact once healthy after missing the early half of the year. Each of these guys contributed and found some success in Fort Worth.

Rebuilt Defensive Front

Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Devean Deal, Linebacker, Tulane
12 games played, 41 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks

Cooper McDonald, Linebacker, San Diego State
8 games played, 25 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Kaleb Elarms-Orr, Linebacker, California
12 games played, 46 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery

NaNa Osafo-Mensah, Defensive Line, Notre Dame
12 games played, 35 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 sacks

Hakeem Ajijolaiya, Defensive Line, Houston
10 games played, 9 tackles 1 forced fumble

With new Defensive Coordinator Andy Avalos joining the staff, he was tasked with bringing in guys to better fit his scheme, with a focus on pass rushers off the edge and some beef in the middle. Devean Deal from Tulane & Cooper McDonald from San Diego State fit the bill as talented pass rushers with a nose for the football. Kaleb Elarms-Orr came in from Cal and made a major impact as a run-stuffing sure tackler in the linebacker rotation behind Johnny Hodges & Namdi Obiazor. Hakeem Ajijolaiya struggled with some injuries, but delivered one of the key plays of the season, forcing a fumble vs. Texas Tech in the final minutes to preserve the win over the Red Raiders.

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The 2025 transfer portal opens on Monday, December 9th and TCU will again be looking for key contributors across the lineup.