As the 2026 transfer portal window prepares to officially open on January 2, the college football carousel is already spinning at full speed. Players are on the move, chasing bigger roles, better fits, and yes, the ever-growing pull of NIL opportunities. Before the next wave of movement reshapes rosters across the country, let’s take a look back at how the 2025 transfer cycle played out for TCU-specifically, what happened after several Horned Frogs packed their bags and found new homes.
Some players thrived. Others faded into the background.
But one thing’s clear: the portal giveth and the portal taketh away. Here's how the former Frogs fared in their new digs.
Cam Cook - Jacksonville State (RB)
2025 Stats: 13 games, 1,659 rush yards (5.6 YPC), 16 rushing TDs, 30 receptions, 286 receiving yards
Cam Cook’s breakout wasn’t just impressive-it was historic. After a frustrating 2024 season in Fort Worth where he managed just 460 yards on 3.9 yards per carry, Cook hit the portal looking for a fresh start. He found it in a big way at Jacksonville State under new head coach Charles Kelly.
Cook didn’t just lead Conference USA-he dominated it. He was named both C-USA Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, leading the nation in rushing yards and finishing fourth in rushing touchdowns.
His production earned him All-American recognition from multiple outlets, including Second Team honors from Sporting News and FWAA. Simply put, Cook turned a career crossroads into a career year.
James Brockermeyer - Miami (OL)
2025 Honors: Third Team All-ACC, First Team All-American (CBS)
After anchoring TCU’s offensive line in 2024, James Brockermeyer took his talents to South Beach for one final ride. Miami went all-in on the portal in 2025, and Brockermeyer was a key piece of that puzzle. The Fort Worth native didn’t allow a single sack all season and helped solidify an offensive line that powered the Hurricanes to their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance-without even winning the ACC.
His dominance was on full display in the CFP Quarterfinals, where Miami knocked off Texas A&M in College Station. Brockermeyer opened up lanes all night, helping Mark Fletcher rack up 172 rushing yards at over 10 yards per carry. For a lineman, that’s the kind of performance that cements a legacy.
Shad Banks - UTSA (LB)
2025 Stats: 12 games, 86 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF, 3 FR, 3 INT, 1 TD
Honors: American All-Conference First Team
Shad Banks’ college journey has been anything but conventional. A former four-star wide receiver recruit out of powerhouse Galena Park North Shore, Banks started at Texas A&M, transferred to TCU, and eventually found his stride at UTSA.
After four seasons in Fort Worth-highlighted by a game-sealing interception against Baylor in 2021 and a strong showing in the 2022 Big 12 Championship-Banks used his graduate transfer year to make a final statement. He was a playmaker for the Roadrunners, filling up the stat sheet with 87 total tackles, three picks, and a touchdown. His 52 solo tackles ranked fourth in the American Conference, and his versatility made him one of the league’s most impactful defenders.
Keviyan Huddleston - North Texas (DL)
2025 Stats: 13 games, 30 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 5 sacks, 1 FR
Huddleston was part of TCU’s highly touted 2023 defensive line class, but he never found his footing in Fort Worth. After just one tackle in two seasons, he transferred to North Texas-and immediately made his presence felt.
Huddleston became a disruptive force for a Mean Green defense that powered UNT to an 11-2 record and a trip to the American Conference title game. His five sacks ranked seventh in the league, and he logged multiple tackles in 10 games. For a player who barely saw the field at TCU, it was a massive leap forward.
Other Former Frogs on the Move
Not every transfer made headlines, but several former Horned Frogs contributed in new roles across the country:
- LB Terrence Cooks - Texas State 12 games, 48 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2 sacks A steady presence in the Bobcats' front seven.
- TE Cade Keith - New Mexico 12 games, 20 catches, 253 yards, 3 TDs Became a reliable red-zone target for the Lobos.
- QB Hauss Hejny - Oklahoma State 1 game, 5-of-10 passing, 96 yards, 1 TD; 27 rushing yards, 1 rush TD A promising start derailed by injury in a tough season for the Cowboys.
- DL Avion Carter - North Texas 7 games, no recorded stats Part of a strong UNT squad, though his individual impact was limited.
- LB Kylan Salter - Colorado 10 games, 4 tackles Saw limited action in a struggling Buffaloes defense.
- DB Julian Knox - North Texas 9 games, 3 tackles Provided depth in the secondary for an 11-win team.
- WR JoJo Earle - UNLV 7 games, 11 receptions, 135 yards; 73 rushing yards, 1 TD A versatile weapon for a Rebels offense that made noise in the Mountain West.
- DB Richard Toney - Purdue 3 games, 3 tackles Appeared in a handful of games for a rebuilding Boilermakers squad.
- TE Cole Snodgrass - Texas State No recorded stats
- OL Mitch Hodnett - Tulane No recorded stats
- LS Jax Thompson - Hawaii No recorded stats
- DB Kollin Collier - Old Dominion No recorded stats
- OL Mike Stoker - Incarnate Word 7 games played Contributed to the offensive line rotation.
- OL Marcus Williams - Bryant 1 game played Saw limited action in the CAA.
Final Thoughts
The transfer portal has become a central storyline in college football, and TCU’s 2025 departures are a perfect example of how it can reshape careers. Some players, like Cam Cook and James Brockermeyer, found new life and national recognition.
Others settled into rotational roles or saw limited action. But across the board, these moves reflect a new era where opportunity is just one portal entry away.
As the 2026 window opens, the Horned Frogs-and the rest of the college football world-will once again be watching closely. Because in today’s game, the next breakout star might already be on the move.