As the 2026 transfer portal window inches open, it’s a good time to look back at how TCU used the portal this past season - not with volume, but with precision. The Horned Frogs weren’t the most aggressive team in the Big 12 when it came to transfer activity, but the players they did bring in made an impact where it mattered: on the field, in the win column, and in the locker room.
Let’s break down the new faces who helped shape TCU’s 2025 campaign, starting with a few who brought serious juice to the offense.
Offensive Firepower 🔥
Jordan Dwyer, WR, Idaho
Stats: 12 games | 54 receptions | 730 yards | 7 TDs
Special Teams: 7 punt returns for 77 yards
Dwyer was the crown jewel of TCU’s transfer class - and he played like it. After torching FCS defenses in 2024 with Idaho, where he posted over 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns, Dwyer hit the portal and quickly became one of the hottest names available. Ranked as the No. 18 wide receiver transfer and a top-100 overall player, he chose TCU over heavy hitters like USC and Washington.
From the jump, Dwyer looked like a Power Five playmaker. He introduced himself to Horned Frogs fans in style, going for 136 yards and a touchdown on nine catches in the season opener against North Carolina.
He didn’t slow down from there, finishing second on the team in receiving behind All-American Eric McAlister. With McAlister heading to the pros, Dwyer’s poised to become the go-to guy in 2026 - and he’s got all the tools to thrive in that role.
Joseph Manjack IV, WR, Houston
Stats: 12 games | 41 receptions | 551 yards | 3 TDs
Manjack brought experience and reliability to a TCU receiving corps that was in transition. Originally a USC signee who found his rhythm at Houston, Manjack entered the portal as a seasoned vet with over 1,000 career receiving yards. He wasn’t the flashiest addition, but he was exactly what the Frogs needed - a steady presence who could move the chains, stretch the field, and step up when defenses keyed in on McAlister or Dwyer.
He ended the season as TCU’s third-leading receiver and proved to be a valuable piece of the passing game puzzle.
Kevorian Barnes, RB, UTSA
Stats: 7 games | 97 carries | 443 yards (4.6 YPC) | 3 TDs
Receiving: 10 receptions for 48 yards
The TCU ground game needed a spark after a rough 2024, and Barnes brought that and more. A former Conference USA Freshman of the Year at UTSA, Barnes came in with nearly 1,800 career rushing yards and a reputation for tough, downhill running. He wasted no time making his mark in Fort Worth, ripping off 113 yards and a touchdown on just 11 carries in his debut.
Injuries limited him to seven games, but when he was on the field, Barnes was a difference-maker - especially in the win over Baylor, where he racked up 100+ yards and two scores. If he’s healthy in 2026, TCU has a legit weapon in the backfield.
Other Offensive Transfers:
- Dylan Kinney, OL, Abilene Christian - 2 games played
- Rasheed Jackson, OL, Incarnate Word - 3 games played
- Ka’Morreun Pimpton, TE, LSU - 4 games played | 1 catch, 3 yards, 1 TD
These depth additions didn’t see major reps, but Pimpton did find the end zone once and could be a name to watch in red-zone packages moving forward.
Defensive Stoppers 💪🔒
TCU lost some key pieces on defense heading into 2025, especially up front and in the secondary. But the staff hit on a few portal additions who helped stabilize and elevate the unit.
Ansel Din-Mbuh, DL, Washington State
Stats: 11 games | 21 tackles | 5.5 TFL | 2 sacks
Din-Mbuh, a Texas native returning home from Washington State, brought power and disruption to the defensive line. He wasn’t just filling a gap - he was creating them in opposing offensive lines. With a knack for getting into the backfield, Din-Mbuh was a key piece in TCU’s defensive front, helping to shore up the run defense and apply pressure off the edge.
Kylin Jackson, DB, LSU
Stats: 11 games | 26 tackles | 4.5 TFL | 2.5 sacks
Jackson stepped into a hybrid safety role and thrived. A former four-star recruit, he brought SEC-level physicality and instincts to the TCU secondary.
Jackson’s ability to crash downhill and make plays behind the line of scrimmage gave the Frogs a tone-setter on the back end. His 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks ranked among the best on the team, and he played with the kind of edge that made a real difference.
Other Defensive Transfers:
- Elijah Jackson, DB, Washington - 1 game | 1 tackle
- Ryan Yaites, DB, Cal - 11 games | 3 tackles
- Michael Teason, LB, Missouri State - 12 games | 10 tackles | 0.5 TFL
These players added depth and special teams value, with Teason contributing across all 12 games in a rotational role.
Transfer Withdrawn ❌
Jamel Johnson, Safety, TCU
Stats: 12 games | 89 tackles (2nd on team) | 3 TFL | 4 INTs (T-2nd Big 12)
Honors: 2nd Team All-Big 12 | Thorpe Award Semifinalist
Not all transfer stories are about arrivals - some are about keeping your stars home. That’s exactly what TCU did with Jamel Johnson, and it paid off in a big way.
After entering the portal following a breakout 2024, Johnson looked like he might be on the way out. But the Horned Frogs held on, and he responded with one of the best defensive seasons in the Big 12. Johnson was everywhere - second on the team in tackles, tied for second in the conference in interceptions, and a force in both run support and coverage.
He was a Thorpe Award semifinalist and earned All-Big 12 honors, and with Bud Clark heading to the NFL, Johnson is set to be the heartbeat of the TCU defense in 2026.
Final Word
TCU didn’t make the most noise in the transfer portal last offseason, but they made their moves count. From breakout stars like Jordan Dwyer and Jamel Johnson to key role players like Manjack, Barnes, and Jackson, the Horned Frogs found contributors who helped them win games and build momentum heading into 2026.
With another portal cycle just around the corner, the formula is clear: quality over quantity - and a sharp eye for fit.