Ranking TCU Football's Position Groups Entering the 2026 Season

TCU football is just days away from beginning a critical 2026 season, with the Horned Frogs looking to reach double-digit wins for the second time under head coach Sonny Dykes.

Fall camp is over, and with a Week 0 matchup against North Carolina in Ireland approaching, the time for position battles is nearly over. Now the focus shifts to preparing for the Tar Heels and finding out which units are ready to deliver.

With new faces throughout the roster, some position groups enter the season with far more certainty than others. Here is how I rank TCU's position groups based on my confidence in each entering 2026.

8. Linebackers

Baylor Bears quarterback Sawyer Robertson (13) looks to pass as TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Max Carroll (33) defends during the first half at McLane Stadium. | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Making this list was harder than it seemed. The linebacker room, as you will see in a few other position units, has talent, but the question is how well they perform over the season. Max Carroll should be in for a great season; he learned under Kaleb Elarms-Orr and has become a vocal leader on the defense, a critical piece in solving the voice of that group.

Beyond Carroll, that is really the big question mark to me. Michael Short, Michael Teason, and Hudson Hooper all had their moments during camp, and they all looked great at times, but never really separated themselves from the others. The depth isn't a problem in this room, as there are four names who can contribute, but finding a difference maker will play a critical role here.

7. Wide Receiver

TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Jordan Dwyer (7) scores a touchdown during the game between the Horned Frogs and the Bearcats at Amon G. Carter Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It feels weird putting a TCU rankings list with the receivers so low, because that is one of the things the program has become known for, producing talent on the outside of the field. 2026 will be no different, with a fantastic rotation on the team featuring Jeremy Scott, Terry Shelton, Major Everhart, Dozie Ezukanma, and Dane Jones.

The bigger question for me, and primarily why they are so low, is whether Dwyer stays healthy and whether the new names, such as Scott, and younger guys such as Shelton, can step up to the opportunity and be ready to make an impact?

I believe the answer is yes to all of that, but with limited track records, seeing it is a big point when the season begins.

6. Offensive Line

Helmets at the line of scrimmage as TCU Horned Frogs offensive lineman Coltin Deery (51) snaps the ball against the Southern California Trojans in the second half during the Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The offensive line has remained a focal point over the years for the Frogs, and that isn't changing entering this year either. With Gordon Sammis as the new offensive coordinator and a scheme that heavily relies on running the ball, the trenches have to be great in 2026, or the offense will struggle to find a rhythm.

Ben Taylor-Whitfield, Cade Bennett, and Noah McKinney give the team plenty of experience along the offensive line, and Cooper Powers and Witten Van Hoy have solid camps as well. Jaheim Buchanon, Kilian Registe, Ryan Hughes, and Wesley Harvey also form a formidable rotation as well if needed.

I do believe this group takes a step up in 2026, but ensuring they avoid missed assignments, which will be a struggle with a new blocking scheme, is paramount for success this season. Limiting mistakes is the key difference between a successful year and a repeat of last season.

5. Defensive Line

Texas Christian University Horned Frogs defensive lineman Markis Deal (95) celebrates after a defensive stop during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

A returning group of veterans that knows the Andy Avalos defense all the way through, and know what it takes to be successful to win games. They feature a really deep rotation, including one of the best edge defender groups in the conference.

The success on defense starts with them, and they seem to have the fire and the maturity to make it happen this year.

4. Quarterback

TCU quarterback Jaden Craig speaks with reporters during Big 12 Conference Football Media Days at The Star. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The one position that everyone has their eyes on ahead of the 2026 season, and can Jaden Craig be the guy to lead the program back to the Big 12 Championship? I believe the answer is yes, but there are still a few nitpicking things I would love to see first as the season begins.

Craig can absolutely sling it up to 25 yards; his passing speed and accuracy are elite, and among the best I have personally seen. His deep ball still left a little to be desired during camp, and that is the only real "worry" for me entering the year.

He's mobile, he's smart, he doesn't turn the ball over, and he commands the field, all qualities that differentiate a good from a great quarterback. He takes risks still; they are just calculated, a big difference in reckless abandonment, and throwing with a purpose.

Craig should be in for a really good year, and if his deep ball continues to improve, then he might be in the running for one of the best quarterbacks in the conference.

3. Secondary

TCU Horned Frogs safety Jamel Johnson (2) makes the interception in front of Baylor Bears wide receiver Ashtyn Hawkins (6) during the second half of a game at Amon G. Carter Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Probably would have been my No. 1 unit before the incident that led to Jacob Fields being dismissed from the team, but nonetheless, I still believe this is the strongest defensive group on the field. Gil Jackson should have a breakout year, Vernon Glover has done it all, Teon Parks and Kalen Carroll all had really strong fall camps as well.

In the safety room, Jamel Johnson is an elite athlete and should be the perfect backend for the defense, while Jordan Lester has plenty of game experience. While the depth in the safety room does slightly cause concern, I still believe that with the combination of the cornerback room, this is an elite grouping for the Frogs.

2. Tight End

TCU Horned Frogs tight end Ka'Morreun Pimpton (88) makes the touchdown catch in front of Baylor Bears safety Kendrick Simpkins (16) during the second half of a game at Amon G. Carter Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Ka'Morreun Pimpton. If you are unaware of the name, get ready to hear plenty of it during the season. He is a freakishly tall athlete with an insane wingspan and was a favorite target of Craig's during camp. He has all the makings to be a breakout star in 2026, and that is exactly what I expect from him.

Outside of him, there are also Lafayette Kaiuway and Kari Ashley, both very capable tight ends who excel in their own way. Kaiuway is dominant as a blocker, while Ashley is an unfair receiver against a linebacker.

With two-tight end sets expected in the offense this season, this group should be heavily featured, and they have the talent to be the best in the conference.

1. Running Back

TCU Horned Frogs running back Jeremy Payne (26) scores on a 35-yard touchdown reception in overtime for the winning score against the Southern California Trojans during the Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Everyone knows of Jeremy Payne, the hero of the Alamo Bowl, and as a "Payne Train" truther who believed in him since seeing him as a freshman in camp, the breakout year is now, assuming he remains healthy.

Behind him, though, is also really promising as well. Denman is a great complementary back who is an excellent receiver out of the backfield. Joe Pitchford and Landon Walker are bruiser backs who can take short-yardage carries when the team needs a thumper in the backfield, and freshman G'Ivori Graham has an electric fall camp.

This room has the depth and the top-end talent to be great, and they will get plenty of opportunities to show it off, and I wouldn't be surprised if Payne finishes with over 1,000 rushing yards.

TCU does not need every position group on this list to become a strength overnight, but the Frogs will need several of the question marks near the bottom to outperform expectations if they want to contend for a Big 12 title. There is enough proven talent at the top of this ranking to make TCU dangerous.

Now comes the part that fall camp cannot answer. Beginning against North Carolina in Ireland, we finally get to see which of these position groups is ready to prove the ranking right, and which one is ready to prove me wrong.

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