Analysis: What TCU is getting in its 2024 football recruiting class

There wasn’t a lot of drama for TCU on Early Signing Day which is always the goal.

The Horned Frogs retained their top high school prospects and officially signed 12 of 14 from a transfer class that is currently ranked No. 4 in the country by 247Sports.

The high school class currently sits at No. 31 which is solid, but a definite drop-off from the 2023 class that finished No. 21, the highest in program history.

However, a deeper look at the number shows that while the class may not be spectacular on paper, it’s filled with players that could be foundational pieces in the future and is also bolstered by an impressive transfer haul.

Here are five takeaways from TCU’s 2024 recruiting class:

Production over potential

Let’s start with the transfer class. The 2023 group the Horned Frogs brought over that included JP Richardson, Avery Helm, Trey Sanders and Willis Patrick was a mixed bag. Patrick earned AP All-Big 12 honors and Richardson was the team’s steadiest receiver.

However, Sanders and other players like JoJo Earle, Jack Bech and Dylan Wright struggled with production or staying healthy. They all came over from smaller roles at other Power Five and it was easy to assume they would increase their numbers with more usage at TCU. However, none really popped like TCU was expecting.

Instead of taking players that are dropping down from SEC or Big 10 programs, Dykes returned to the formula that worked for the 2022 transfer class. TCU put an emphasis on finding more proven players, even if they were coming from a Group of Five school.

Boise State receiver Eric McAlister and Baylor tight end Drake Dabney were two of the most productive pass catchers in the portal. San Diego State offensive lineman Cade Bennett, who will enroll in the summer, was a two-time All-Conference selection. Louisiana Tech transfer Carson Bruno started two straight seasons for the Bulldogs.

Cal linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr was a second team All-Pac 12 selection and Tulsa safety Jaise Oliver has four years of experience. They may not be the flashiest names or come from the biggest program, but they all have a track record of producing and should contribute immediately.

Hauss has next

Aledo quarterback Hauss Hejny is the most high-profile player of the signing class for good reason. He’s led the Bearcats to back-to-back state championships, is rated the No. 12 quarterback in the country and is a TCU legacy as both of his parents are former Horned Frog athletes.

Hejny accounted for nearly 3,800 yards of total offense and 40 touchdowns as a senior, which earned him an All-American Bowl invite. With elite athleticism and the arm the match, Hejny will be hard to keep off the field and Dykes went as far as to say he wouldn’t be surprised if Hejny pushed incumbent starter Josh Hoover in the preseason.

Hejny has that type of talent and is the ideal fit for Kendal Briles’ offense as a true dual-threat quarterback.

Skilled positions restocked

Outside of Hejny, the biggest thing that stands out about TCU’s high school recruiting class is the quality of the skill players. Gekyle Baker is the highest-rated recruit in the class as a four-star receiver and the No. 106 player in the class. He ranks either first or second for nine receiving records at Brownsboro High and had over 2,600 yards in his high school career.

Running back Jeremy Payne was another four-star addition and was one of the top running backs in Texas, leading Fort Bend Hightower on a deep playoff run. Rated the No. 20 running back, Payne could compete for early playing time after Emani Bailey declared for the NFL Draft.

The Horned Frogs also added former Oklahoma receiver commit Dozie Ezukanma and running back Nate Palmer, who rushed for 2,000 yards for Decatur this season. Braylon James is a transfer from Notre Dame, but will have four years of eligibility after only appearing in four games for the Fighting Irish. Another consensus four-star recruit, James adds more talent to a room that needs it.

Don’t be surprised if a few of these players carve out roles for TCU in 2024.

Trench play

For TCU to compete for Big 12 titles and playoff appearances, Dykes understands that the Horned Frogs have to be strong upfront on both sides of the ball. Landing two offensive linemen like San Diego State’s Cade Bennett and Louisiana Tech’s Carson Bruno is big with both having two years of starting experience. Remington Strickland has some experience from Texas A&M as well.

In the high school class, the Horned Frogs added six offensive linemen led by Lancaster’s Tobias Steppes. They all have plenty of size with Samir Camacho being the smallest at 6-foot-4, 285 pounds. On the defensive line TCU was in good shape after retaining the defensive linemen from the 2023 class like Markis Deal and Avion Carter.

Dykes was still able to add another good one in four-star edge rusher Travis Jackson, who had an offer from Alabama. The Horned Frogs also signed North Crowley’s Sterlin Brooks and L.D. Bell’s Tristan Johnson. Notre Dame defensive linemen Nana Osafo-Mensah was the lone defensive lineman added through the portal. In 39 games the Fort Worth native had nine tackles for loss and five sacks.

Bax is back

Out of all the good news TCU has received over the last few weeks, Jonathan Bax removing his name from the transfer portal might be the best of all. The New Orleans native was a standout in spring and fall camp, but didn’t play as much as expected this past season which led to him entering the portal.

While Bax received plenty offers, the staff kept working to bring him back and were successful in keeping another big piece from the 2023 class. Bax’s return along with the transfer additions of Cal’s Kaleb Elarms-Orr and San Diego State’s Cooper McDonald gives TCU a nice mix in the linebacker room to go along with returners Johnny Hodges, Shad Banks and Namdi Obiazor.