TCU football signs another strong recruiting class
Sonny Dykes needed a strong off-season to offset a disappointing 5-7 season and the TCU head coach answered the challenge with another impressive recruiting class.
Dykes and the Horned Frogs staffed signed most of the prospects from their recruiting class that sits just outside the top-30 nationally on the first day of the Early Signing Period, which will run through the end of the week.
TCU currently has the No. 32 recruiting class and the No. 4 transfer class according to 247Sports. In total 33 incoming transfers and high school seniors have committed to the Horned Frogs.
Here’s who’s signed so far:
Devyn Hidrogo, Safety, 7:10 a.m.
The three-star safety was to first to send in his National Letter of Intent Wednesday morning. From Franklin, Texas Hidrogo is listed at 6-foot, 185 pounds and committed to TCU on Dec. 15. over offers from Wyoming, Iowa State and Louisiana Tech among others.
Hidrogo plays multiple sports for Franklin including basketball and track and field. He was one of the top athletes in 3A in the high jump and triple jump.
Kyle Lemmermann, Kicker, 7:26 a.m.
The three-star kicker from Southlake Carroll was the second prospect to officially sign. Lemmermann is rated the No. 2 kicker in the country. Lemmermann hit all 92 extra points for the Dragons and went 8-of-10 on field goal attempts. Southlake reached the state semifinals in 6A-Division II, losing to eventual champion DeSoto.
Creece Brister, offensive lineman, 7:29 a.m.
An interior offensive lineman from nearby Stephenville, Brister is listed at 6’4, 295 pounds and committed to the Horned Frogs over Air Force and Texas Tech. Brister helped lead Stephenville to three straight state playoff trips, including winning the 4A-DI state championship as a sophomore.
Brister also excels in track and field was won the Texas 4A shotput championship in May.
Kaden McFadden, safety, 7:32 a.m.
A late flip from Duke, the three-star safety recently joined the class earlier this month. McFadden is rated a top-200 prospect in Texas by 247Sports composite rankings. He was voted Texas District 8-4A-II Co-Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore.
McFadden finished his junior campaign with 93 tackles , 10 for a loss, forced four fumbles, blocked a kick and returned it for a score. As a senior McFadden led Pleasant Grove to the third round of the UIL 4A-Division II playoffs.
Ryan Hughes, offensive lineman, 7:37 a.m.
Hughes is projected to play tackle at 6’6, 295 pounds. Hughes starred at The Woodlands near Houston and was rated the No. 83 tackle in the 247Sports composite rankings. Hughes had offers from Memphis, Nebraska and Purdue among others.
Tristan Johnson, defensive lineman, 7:41 a.m.
The interior defensive lineman from L.D. Bell is viewed as a top-200 prospect in the state of Texas and had offers from Arizona State, UTSA and Nebraska among others. Johnson finished his senior season with 60 tackles, 18 TFL, 10 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. That was an improvement from his junior year where the 6’2, 260 pound prospect had 49 tackles, 5 TFL, 4 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries.
Hauss Hejny, quarterback, 7:44 a.m.
Rated as a four-star, the Aledo quarterback is coming off another state championship after leading the Bearcats to a 51-8 over Smithson Valley in the Texas 5A-DI championship game. Hejny threw for 2,773 yards and 27 touchdowns while adding 1,041 rushing yards and five more touchdowns on the ground.
Hejny has a smaller frame at 5’11, 185 pounds, but he’s one of the most dynamic players in the class with his gamebreaking speed and winning pedigree.
Wesley Harvey, offensive lineman, 7:48 a.m.
Harvey is a massive prospect at 6’7, 260 pounds. From Muskogee, Oklahoma, Harvey went from unranked to being viewed as a top-1000 prospect by 247Sports. Memphis, Houston and Tulane extended offers to Harvey, who projects as an offensive tackle. Harvey committed to TCU in August.
Dozie Ezukanma, wide receiver, 7:51 a.m.
Ezukanman flipped to TCU shortly after he decommitted from Oklahoma. A star at Timber Creek, the 6’2 receiver is viewed as a top-100 receiver and offers from every Power Five conference. Ezukanma had a career-high 877 yards and 12 touchdowns in his senior season.
Mitch Hodnett, offensive lineman, 7:54 a.m.
Another interior offensive line prospect, the Horned Frogs beat out numerous Big 12 programs like Kansas State and Oklahoma State to sign Hodnett. From Monroe, Louisiana Hodnett is rated the No. 29 player in the state of Louisiana and will come in at 6’5, 295 pounds. Hodnett also excels at the shot put in track and field.
Jeremy Payne, running back, 8:00 a.m.
Payne was a huge pickup out of Missour City. The four-star running back helped Fort Bend Hightower reached the quarterfinals of the Texas 6A-DII state playoffs. Payne is rated the No. 20 running back by 247Sports and viewed as a top-50 prospect in Texas.
Payne was voted MVP of District 20-6A for his breakout season, it was third straight All-District honor. Complete season stats weren’t available, but in four games Payne had 639 rushing yards and four touchdowns while averaging almost 10 yards per carry.
Gekyle Baker, wide receiver, 8:04 a.m.
The highest-rated recruit in the class, the four-star receiver sits just outside the top-100 nationally. At Brownsboro, Baker has accounted for at least 2,500 receiving yards his last three seasons including a sophomore season where he broke out with 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns. TCU beat out numerous SEC and Big 12 programs for the 6’2 receiver.
Julian Knox, cornerback, 8:09 a.m.
Knox was one of the stars for North Crowley and helped the team reached the Texas 6A-DI state semifinals. Knox projects to play corner at the next level and has the frame at 6’2, 190 pounds. Knox committed to the Horned Frogs over the summer.
Travis Jackson, edge rusher, 8:11 a.m.
Anytime you beat out Alabama for a prospect it’s a massive win. The Horned Frogs were able to hold off Nick Saban and company to hold on to the edge rusher who is rated the No. 33 edge rusher in the country out of Tyler, Texas. Jackson had four sacks this season after posting 7.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss as a junior.
Devondre McGee, cornerback, 8:15 a.m.
The 6’1 corner out of Conroe, Texas is rated a top-50 cornerback nationally and had offers from the likes of Ole Miss and Memphis. Conroe didn’t have defensive stats for his senior season, but as a junior McGee had 38 tackles, 1 INT, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery (69-yard TD return), and 2 kick blocks.
Cole Snodgrass, tight end, 8:19 a.m.
Snodgrass is rated the No. 68 tight end nationally and a top-200 prospect in the state of Texas by 247. Snodgrass held offers from Memphis, Purdue and North Texas before committing to TCU over the summer. Snograss had 27 receptions, 446 yards and five touchdowns this past season out of College Park High School.
Samir Camacho, offensive lineman, 8:21 a.m.
Camacho committed to TCU on Dec. 15 after a tightly contested recruiting battle that saw Maryland, Duke and Mississippi State heavily involved with the interior offensive lineman. At 6’4, 280 pounds Camacho is rated the No. 88 interior offensive line prospect nationally and a top-200 prospect out of Texas after starring at Cy Falls in Houston.
Nate Palmer, running back, 8:26 a.m.
Another big-time running back, Palmer is rated the No. 36 running back and a top-500 prospect in the country. Palmer rushed for 2,040 yards, 25 touchdowns and also added 363 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver for Decatur. Palmer almost led Decatur to a state title, but Decatur lost to Anna in the Texas 4A-DI state championship game.
Ethan Craw, punter, 8:32 a.m.
Craw is a new addition to the class and hails from Australia.
Tobias Steppes, offensive lineman, 8:36 a.m.
Steppes starred at nearby Lancaster and is rated a top-500 prospect nationally. Steppes is projected as an offensive tackle, primarily at right tackle. At 6’5, 260 pounds Steppes has a frame similar to Ben Taylor-Whitfield, a freshman offensive lineman from Duncanville that got extended reps this season. Steppes had offers from SMU, Texas Tech and Cal among others.
Sterlin Brooks, defensive lineman, 8:48 a.m.
Another standout from North Crowley, Brooks was an anchor on the defensive line for one of the state’s best units. TCU beat out local competition like Houston, Baylor and SMU for the 6’4, 315 pound defensive lineman. Brooks is rated the No. 208 prospect in Texas by 247Sports. Brooks’ value will come in how he’s able to take up blockers to free up other playmakers around him.
The transfer class
The Horned Frogs currently have 13 transfer commitments. Here’s a quick rundown on who’s transferring to TCU next season:
Tulane defensive lineman Devean Deal
Deal had four sacks and and an interception for the Green Wave this season. He’s the older brother of TCU freshman defensive lineman Marks Deal.
Florida State offensive tackle Bless Harris
Harris was a part-time starter during his time with the Seminoles and Lamar.
Louisiana Tech offensive lineman Carson Bruno
Bruno started 24 straight games for the Bulldogs at right tackle and could play inside for TCU. Bruno was voted to the Conference USA All-Freshman team in 2022.
North Texas offensive tackle Howard Sampson
The left tackle played in four games at UNT, but is only a redshirt freshman and could be a developmental depth piece.
Baylor tight end Drake Dabney
One of the top tight ends in the transfer portal, Dabney had 552 yards and five touchdowns for the Bears this season. He had four receptions and 77 yards in the loss at TCU.
Notre Dame receiver Braylon James
James was four-star recruit out of Round Rock, Texas in the Class of 2023. He was a high school teammate of TCU running back Cam Cook.
Cal Poly cornerback Donovan Saunders
Saunders had 11 pass breakups and three interceptions for Cal Poly this season. Saunders is rated a four-star transfer defensive back and was Cal Poly’s top cover corner.
Texas A&M offensive lineman Remington Strickland
Strickland saw action in nine games over the past two seasons in College Station.
San Diego State linebacker Cooper McDonald
McDonald produced 82 tackles and 3.5 sacks in his last two seasons with the Aztecs.
Tulsa safety Jaise Oliver
Oliver had 48 tackles, four interception and six pass breakups during the 2023 season for the Golden Hurricane. He’s experienced after spending five seasons at Tulsa.
San Diego State offensive lineman Cade Bennett
Bennett was a two-time All-Mountain West Conference selection at guard and was voted SDSU’s best offensive lineman.
Notre Dame defensive lineman NaNa Osafo-Mensah
Osafo-Mensah had 20 tackles and three sacks for the Fighting Irish.
Boise State wide receiver Eric McAlister
McAlister was one of the best receivers in the MWC with 873 yards and five touchdowns despite despite entering the portal in November.
Flip watch?
It wouldn’t be signing day without recruits flipping to other schools and TCU lost two commitments on Early Signing Day. Three-star athlete LaDainian Fields decided to flip to Oklahoma State while junior college safety Ja’ir Smith flipped to Cal.
