TCU’s defense has found one of its early anchors in a name that already means plenty around Fort Worth.
John Schobel came to the Frogs as a highly regarded piece of the 2025 recruiting class, ranked as the nation’s No. 58 edge prospect and choosing TCU over offers from Baylor, Oklahoma State and Houston. The surname carries real weight at the program: his father, Aaron Schobel, played for TCU from 1997-2001 as an All-Conference defender before going on to an All-Pro NFL career with the Buffalo Bills from 2001-2009.
Schobel’s path has not been smooth. He got off to a strong start after arriving on campus last spring, but injuries early in fall camp limited him to just three games in the 2025 season.
He was again off to a solid spring before another injury cut that period short. Once he made it back for fall camp, though, he stuck.
That return has mattered. After a tight battle with Koron Hayward at the “STUD” spot, Schobel has started all three games for TCU. He knows the job is never safe.
"It's a blessing to start, but you've got to go hard as you can every day to get better or it's (playing spot) going to get taken."
On the field, he’s already making his presence felt. Schobel has eight tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack against North Carolina.
Pro Football Focus also credits him with five quarterback hurries, which is tied for the team lead. That production has come within a defense that has allowed just 29 points all season and sits first in the Big 12 in scoring defense.
Even with that start, Schobel isn’t treating anything as finished.
"I feel like I'm doing alright, I can obviously get better," he said.
The TCU connection runs deep in his family. Schobel grew up going to games, and the Frogs have long been part of the family tree.
Along with Aaron, his uncle Matt played at TCU, as did Bo Schobel, John’s second cousin. His cousin Adam is now a quarterback for the Frogs.
For John Schobel, wearing the uniform still carries the kind of meaning that comes with growing up around the program.
"It's great," Schobel said of being at TCU.
That family background also means the postgame conversations can get a little crowded. Schobel laughed about the advice he gets from his father after games.
"My dad really tries to give me some advice and sometimes it's a little too much," Schobel said with a laugh.
Now comes another test. TCU opens Big 12 play Saturday against UCF, and Schobel figures to be right in the middle of it. The Knights have not thrown the ball especially well this season, but they do bring a dual-threat quarterback in Keyone Jenkins and a rushing game that piled up 304 yards in last week’s 44-30 win over Georgia State.
Schobel expects a challenge, but he believes the Frogs can handle it if everyone does their part.
"Everybody has got to do their job, play their gap and get their fit and we'll be alright," he said.
With conference play beginning, Schobel says the Frogs are ready for what he called a “new” season to start Saturday.
In Other News...
UCF Suddenly Faces A Bigger Problem Than Just TCU
UCF heads into its upcoming game against TCU dealing with a much longer injury list than it would like this late in the week. The Knights will be without starters Lewis Carter, Duane Thomas Jr., Owen Spell, Trent Turner and Alonza Barnett III, forcing the staff to reshuffle both sides of the ball before a difficult matchup.
Keyone Jenkins is expected to start at quarterback in Barnetts place, and several other players are listed as probable or have already shifted roles to cover the gaps. For a team trying to get through conference play with some stability, the bigger challenge may be finding enough continuity to survive the adjustments rather than simply game-planning for the Horned Frogs. [Read more 🡒]
TCUs New Transfer Could Solve More Than One Special Teams Need
A new special-teams wrinkle has already emerged for TCU this season, with John Hoyet Chance stepping in as more than just a punter. The former Louisiana Tech specialist has quickly become part of the conversation because of what he can do with the ball on punts and kickoffs, giving Sonny Dykes another option in a phase of the game that can quietly shape field position from week to week.
Chance and Dykes have also discussed a broader role, especially with TCU needing help after the regular kicker's absence. The early returns have created a little more flexibility for the Horned Frogs, and Chance has sounded eager about the chance to help in Fort Worth while showing confidence in his range. For a team looking for answers on special teams, that kind of versatility can be a useful early-season development. [Read more 🡒]
TCU Faces Two Crucial Availability Questions Ahead Of Big 12 Opener
TCUs first Big 12 test of the season comes with a couple of familiar names hanging in the balance, and that matters because both sides of the ball have already felt the absence. Senior wide receiver Jordan Dwyer and senior edge rusher Zach Chapman are both listed as questionable for the opener against Central Florida, after each missed previous games with lower body injuries.
Sonny Dykes sounded more optimistic about Dwyer, saying the veteran pass catcher is expected to play, but the edge situation is still a key piece to watch as kickoff approaches. The broader injury picture for both TCU and UCF will shape how the opener looks, especially for a Horned Frogs team trying to get through the first conference weekend with its depth intact. [Read more 🡒]