While the TCU Horned Frogs were not as active in the transfer portal leading into the 2025 season as previous years and as some of its Big 12 peers, the Sonny Dykes staff brought in some key contributors
who directly led to winning football in Fort Worth. With the 2026 transfer portal set to officially open in a few weeks, let’s take a look back at what these inbound transfer brought to the Horned Frogs this season
Offensive Firepower🔥
Jordan Dwyer, Wide Receiver, Idaho
12 games played, 54 receptions, 730 yards, 7 TDs. 7 punt returns for 77 yards
The prize of TCU’s portal haul in 2025, Dwyer earned immense interest nationally, rising from unranked in the 247Sports Composite as a high school recruit with zero FBS offers to become one of the most sought-after players at the peak of FBS. After a monster breakout campaign in 2024 with 1,192 yards and 12 TDs with the Idaho Vandals, putting up major stats against many of the best FCS programs, Dwyer hit the marketplace. Once in the portal, he rose to a high four-star ranking as the No. 18 WR transfer prospect and No. 84 player overall. Dwyer selected the Horned Frogs over USC and Washington. Dwyer was an instant impact, demolishing Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels on Labor Day with a 9-136-1 line; he would go on to be the Frogs 2nd-leading receiver, All-American former transfer Eric McAlister. Expect a McAlister-like leap in 2026 for Dwyer in the TCU offense.
Joseph Manjack IV, Wide Receiver, Houston
12 games played, 41 receptions, 551 yards, 3 TDs.
As a high three-star high school prospect out of Tomball, TX, Joseph Manjack had offers nationally before enrolling at USC. He transferred to Houston after one season in Los Angeles; with the Cougars he put up over 1,000 yards on 83 catches over three seasons. Entering the transfer portal for his final collegiate season, Manjack was rated as a three-star and the No. 99 WR on the market. Joining a Horned Frogs team that was losing big production at receiver with Jack Bech and JP Richardson going to the NFL allowing Manjack to step right in and produce at a high level, becoming TCU’s 3rd leading receiver this season.
Kevorian Barnes, Running Back, UTSA
7 games played, 97 rushes for 443 yards (4.6 ypc), 3TDs; 10 receptions for 48 yards
The TCU running game was in desperate need of a boost for the 2025 season after rating as one of the worst and least efficient ground attacks in 2024. Welcome to Fort Worth the 2022 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, Kevorian Barnes. Amassing 1,797 rushing yards in four seasons at UTSA, Barnes entered the transfer portal as a three-star prospect, ranked as the No. 68 RB on the market. Despite some strong depth at the position already on TCU’s roster, Barnes arrived ready to compete and deliver an instant impact. In his first game for the Frogs, Barnes exploded for 113 yards and a TD on just 11 carries; he also hit the century mark with two touchdowns in the win over Baylor. Although Barnes missed five games to injury, he played a big role in key moments for TCU in 2025.
Other offensive transfers:
- OL Dylan Kinney, Abilene Christian – 2 games played
- OL Rasheed Jackson, Incarnate Word – 3 games played
- TE Ka’Morreun Pimpton, LSU – 4 games played. 1 reception, 3 yards, 1 TD
Defensive Stoppers 💪🔒
- DL Ansel Din-Mbuh, Washington State – 11 games played. 21 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks
- DB Kylin Jackson, LSU – 11 games played. 26 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks
- DB Elijah Jackson, Washington – 1 game played. 1 tackle
- DB Ryan Yaites, Cal – 11 games played. 3 tackles
- LB Michael Teason, Missouri State – 12 games played. 10 tackles, 0.5 tackle for loss
With significant departures to the defensive line and secondary, the TCU Defense needed to bring in a few key pieces to supplement a strong foundation around guys like Bud Clark, Namdi Obiazor, and Devean Deal. On the defensive line, the headliner was Aledo, TX native and Washington State three-star transfer Ansel Din-Mbuh, coming off a standout sophomore campaign with the Cougars with 24 tackles and six sacks. With the Frogs, Din-Mbuh proved to be a big-time stopper up front, clogging running lanes and harassing quarterbacks all season, making some key plays to contribute to TCU wins. TCU brought in several reinforcements in the secondary but the standout was safety Kylin Jackson, a former four-star recruit who entered the portal after two seasons at LSU. Jackson had a highly productive breakout campaign as a redshirt sophomore for the Horned Frogs, filling the Abe Camara role as a smashmouth DB, hunting ball carriers and slashing into the backfield. Jackson’s 26 tackles was 11th-best on the team, but where he really did damage was behind the line of scrimmage, securing the 5th-most tackles for loss and third most sacks on the team.
Transfer Withdrawn❌
Jamel Johnson, Safety, TCU
12 games played. 89 total tackles (2nd most on team), 3 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions (tied 2nd Big 12), 2nd Team All-Big 12
There was no more impactful player out of the transfer portal for the Horned Frogs than safety Jamel Johnson. After a promising 2024 campaign, the former four-star from Arlington announced his entry into the transfer marketplace. It appeared to be a devastating blow, joining fellow promising TCU safety prospect Randon Fontenette and Javeon Wilcox in departing Fort Worth. However the grass remained greener in Amon G. Carter Stadium for Johnson as Sonny Dykes, Andy Avalos, and the TCU staff was able to keep him in purple. Johnson was one of the key figures in the TCU defense this season, becoming a Thorpe Award semifinalist and All-Big 12 honoree making huge plays all over the field. Johnson is set to become the leader of the defense as a senior in 2026 with Bud Clark headed to the NFL.
