TCU’s fall camp has already produced one of its early buzz names, and it’s freshman receiver Dane Jones.
Through 11 practices, Jones has shown up again and again as one of the most noticeable players on the field. The slot receiver has stacked together big plays in practice and quickly turned into a target that all of TCU’s quarterbacks seem to trust. He’s working behind Ed Small in the slot, but the camp reps have made it clear he’s pushing to be part of the conversation.
That’s a notable turn for a player whose first season on campus never got off the ground. Jones arrived as a three-star recruit in the 2025 class and one of the more productive receivers in Texas, putting up 139 catches for 2,280 yards and 33 touchdowns over three years at Ridge Point. He was ranked as the No. 80 overall recruit in Texas.
But 2025 ended without a snap of game action. Injuries kept Jones sidelined all season, forcing him to watch instead of contribute.
Now, after spending that year on the sideline, Jones is drawing attention for a very different reason. His play in camp has made him one of the most talked-about names around the program, and earlier this week he met with the media to talk about his progress and what he took away from last season.
If the first two weeks of camp are any hint, TCU may be seeing the start of something bigger from Jones in 2026.
In Other News...
Indianas Josh Hoover Brings One Huge Concern Into 2026
Indianas quarterback room is set for a major change in 2026, with the Hoosiers moving on from Fernando Mendoza and turning to TCU transfer Josh Hoover. Hoover arrives with plenty of production on his rsum after nearly three seasons as the starter in Fort Worth, where he piled up 9,629 passing yards and 71 touchdowns while also giving defenses their share of chances with 33 interceptions.
The concern around Hoover is easy to see, and analyst Josh Pate has already pointed to the turnover issue as the thing that could define the move. Still, Indiana may not ask him to carry the offense in quite the same way TCU did, especially after Mendozas key performances in tight games helped fuel the programs national title run. [Read more 🡒]
Jack Bech Showed What TCU Receivers Can Still Become
Jack Bechs rise gave TCU a reminder of what a receiver can look like when the fit is right. After arriving as an LSU transfer, he became the Horned Frogs top target in 2024 and went on to clear 1,000 receiving yards, a season that also brought All-Big 12 and All-American recognition plus semifinalist nods for several awards.
For TCU, the bigger takeaway was bigger than one standout year. Bech moved on to the NFL when the Las Vegas Raiders took him in the second round of the 2025 draft, and he has already gotten into 16 games as a rookie, leaving behind a clear example of how productive the Horned Frogs receiving room can still be when everything clicks. [Read more 🡒]
TCU Needs Jordan Dwyer To Answer One Big Receiver Question
TCUs wide receiver room is leaning on a player who arrives with both opportunity and expectation. Senior transfer Jordan Dwyer, coming over from Idaho, is projected to be the primary target for a group that needs experience and a steady hand, and wide receivers coach Malcolm Kelly has made it clear he wants Dwyer to help set the tone for the rest of the unit. For a relatively young receiver group, that kind of leadership matters almost as much as production.
Offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis is planning to find ways to maximize Dwyers impact by using him in multiple roles, which should make him a central piece of the offense from the start. The bigger question is how quickly he settles into that expanded role and how well the Horned Frogs can build around him, because the answer may determine how much balance this passing game can find when the season begins. [Read more 🡒]