TCU has put itself in a strong spot with Vernon prospect Tyce Payne, but the rising Texas player isn’t in any hurry to make his call.
Payne’s recruiting board has grown fast. He now holds 11 offers, with two coming from the SEC, four from the Big 12, one from the Big Ten, one from the Pac-12, one from Conference USA and two from the American Athletic Conference. Even with that many options, TCU has stayed near the top because of the connections Payne has built in Fort Worth.
The relationship started with coach Cobe Bryant, who was the first to reach out. The Horned Frogs’ offer came during a June minicamp in Fort Worth, after Payne worked out with TCU coach Ken Wilson. From there, Payne and his father were brought to Sonny Dykes’ office, where the head coach delivered the offer himself.
“Coach Cobe Bryant was the first to contact me,” Payne told KillerFrogs reporter Baileigh Sheffield. “Coach Ken Wilson has been great throughout and came out to my school in the spring.
Coach Tommerdahl knows a family friend and always talks to us. Coach Dykes is always great every time we visit.”
That familiarity has mattered. Payne said TCU stands out to him not just as a program, but as a place with a real sense of connection.
“I think TCU is a good program,” Payne said. “I really like their staff. They have a family culture.”
For now, Payne is taking his time. He said he expects to make his commitment sometime this spring, which gives him months to keep sorting through his options and building on the relationships that have already shaped his recruitment.
“I am really enjoying the recruiting process,” Payne said. “There are a lot of great teams I am talking to, and I look forward to playing ball at the next level. TCU is definitely high on my list.”
That timeline keeps TCU in the conversation, especially after the work the staff has already put in with Payne and his family. He has spent time around the program, visited campus and gotten the offer directly from Dykes, giving him a better feel for the Horned Frogs beyond the field.
TCU has also been active elsewhere in the state, recently landing another in-state win when North Crowley prospect Gabriel Brooks flipped his commitment to the Horned Frogs. Payne is another Texas target the staff has prioritized as it continues building ties across the state.
While the recruiting attention keeps growing, Payne is still focused on getting better before he reaches the college level.
“I will get bigger, faster and stronger,” Payne said.
Football has always been part of his life, and he said that runs deep in his family. His father coaches him, and Payne described the sport as something that has been woven into everything he’s done.
“I’ve been around football my whole life,” Payne said. “My dad is my coach.
We are a football family. It will always be a huge part of my life.”
That background has helped him navigate a recruiting process that is picking up speed, and it has also given him a steady voice nearby as more schools continue to show interest.
Payne’s senior season at Vernon started late after he suffered a slight MCL strain following the team’s first two scrimmages. The injury forced him to miss the first two games, but he returned last week for his first game of the season.
“I had to sit the first two games with a slight MCL strain after the first two scrimmages,” Payne said. “My first game was last week. It’s going to be a great season in Vernon, Texas.”
With his season underway and his recruitment still open, Payne has a lot in front of him. TCU has done enough to stay firmly in the mix, and as his decision gets closer this spring, the Horned Frogs will be one of the programs to watch.
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TCU Gets A Bigger Test Than Fans Might Expect Saturday
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There is also some roster management to sort through as the Frogs prepare for kickoff. Jordan Dwyer and Zachary Chapman are expected to miss the game, while Jamel Johnson is anticipated to return, leaving TCU with a familiar early-season balancing act between depth, health and performance. Arkansas State may not grab the same attention as a power-conference opponent, but it has the kind of capable offense that can quickly expose loose tackling or slow starts. [Read more 🡒]