North Crowley offensive lineman Gabriel Brooks has changed course in his recruiting process, flipping his commitment from Stephen F. Austin to TCU just before one of the Panthers’ biggest games of the 2026 season.
Brooks made the announcement Thursday, giving the Horned Frogs another in-state addition to their 2027 class. He had previously been pledged to SFA before TCU came through with an offer earlier this month.
“TCU was a better opportunity to grow more in the classroom and also on the field and to be home with family,” Brooks told KillerFrogs reporter J.D. Andress.
TCU now has Brooks alongside quarterback Brice McCurdy among its 2027 commitments.
A senior offensive lineman for North Crowley, Brooks wears No. 80 and brings another offensive line target from a major North Texas program into the Horned Frogs’ pipeline. 247Sports lists him as a 6-foot-5, 265-pound offensive tackle from Fort Worth, while North Crowley’s roster has him at 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds.
The recruiting service recorded his commitment to TCU on Sept. 17.
Brooks also told KillerFrogs that he has spent about a year at offensive tackle and doesn’t expect that to change once he gets to TCU.
“After long conversation with my family and countless prayers, i've made the decision to decommit from SFA and flip to THE University of TCU! All glory to God for both of the opportunities, but i'm staying 🏠💜 #GoFrogs @TCUFootball @CoachSonnyDykes @DemarcusHarri01 @CoachKPark pic.twitter.com/nQyK1F2xz2”
The timing of the move lines up with a major stretch for North Crowley. The Panthers are 3-0 entering Friday night’s game against Duncanville after beating Aledo 26-0, Southlake Carroll 40-10 and Humble Summer Creek 41-20.
That sets up North Crowley’s first district game of the season against one of the most familiar names in Texas high school football. The Panthers are ranked No. 3 in Dave Campbell’s Texas Football rankings, while Duncanville comes in at 1-2 after losses to Allen and DeSoto and a win over Cedar Hill.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at Panther Stadium in Duncanville.
Brooks has been part of a North Crowley program that has climbed into the state’s top tier. The Panthers went 16-0 in 2024 and won the Class 6A Division I state championship, then followed that with a 12-2 season in 2025 before opening 2026 at 3-0.
For Brooks, the recruiting process is settled for now. The focus shifts back to the field, where Friday’s matchup with Duncanville offers an immediate chance to keep North Crowley rolling.
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