UPDATE: TCU safety Jamel Johnson returning for 2025 season

The former four-star recruit will be back in Fort Worth after entering the transfer portal earlier this month.

TCU’s defensive backfield has suffered a notable loss, as sophomore safety Jamel Johnson will reportedly enter the transfer portal after only two seasons with the Horned Frogs. A former four-star recruit and one of the top players from the 2023 class, Johnson played a significant role for the TCU defense this fall, compiling 71 total tackles, three passes defended and one forced fumble in 12 games. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder from Arlington, Texas appeared in 10 games as a freshman, totaling 19 tackles and 11 solo stops.

Johnson is yet another player from a talented 2023 recruiting class who has left Fort Worth over the last two years, following wide receiver Cordale Russell as well as safeties Randon Fontenette and Javeon Wilcox. Johnson is the fourth TCU player to enter the portal this season, joining linebackers Terrence Cooks Jr. and Shad Banks Jr. along with offensive lineman Marcus Williams. Johnson started at safety for the Horned Frogs this season, recording 11 total tackles against both Stanford and UCF.

UPDATE: Johnson has reportedly opted to return to TCU for next season. Multiple reports Tuesday indicated that the sophomore safety has withdrawn his name from the transfer portal and will continue his career in Fort Worth next year. Johnson’s return will give a boost to the TCU secondary, which could lose multiple senior defenders including safeties Bud Clark and Abe Camara, along with cornerback JaTravis Broughton, to the NFL Draft.