Jaden Craig Chooses TCU Over NFL: “I Wanted to See Myself Against the Best”
After rewriting Harvard’s record books and guiding the Crimson to their first-ever FCS playoff appearance, quarterback Jaden Craig had every reason to start preparing for the NFL Draft. He had the numbers, the accolades, and even a top-10 quarterback ranking from ESPN. But instead of chasing Sundays, Craig made a move that speaks volumes about his mindset: he transferred to TCU.
Why? Because he’s not done growing. And Fort Worth, with its pro-style offense and Power Five competition, felt like the perfect next step.
“There was a lot of scheme fit in terms of how [offensive coordinator Gordon] Sammis runs his offense,” Craig said. “It’s a very pro-style offense, and I think that’s what I wanted at this next level. Soon as I got on campus it felt like a family right away, and it was honestly an easy decision.”
The Sammis Factor
Craig’s decision came on the heels of a major shift in TCU’s offensive staff. After Josh Hoover transferred to Indiana and Kendal Briles departed, the Horned Frogs brought in Gordon Sammis to take over the offense.
Sammis had made waves at UConn, where he helped turn Joe Fagnano into one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country. That track record wasn’t lost on Craig.
During his visit to Fort Worth, Craig sat down with Sammis and dove into film from his UConn days. What he saw wasn’t just familiar - it felt like home.
“We went through a lot of film and game flows,” Craig said. “Right away I could see myself in this offense.
I felt like there was a good amount of carryover from what we were doing at Harvard. It’s a really similar offense.
I knew it was a fit schematically.”
Head coach Sonny Dykes credited Sammis for helping seal the deal.
“I thought Gordy did a great job of getting him on the phone and recruiting him,” Dykes said. “It was a great collective effort.
I thought we did a good job of getting him on campus and making him feel comfortable. I think he felt like this was a place where he could come and thrive.”
From Ivy League Star to Big 12 Challenger
At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, Craig brings more than just size to the TCU quarterback room. He threw for 2,869 yards and 25 touchdowns last season, with just seven interceptions, and added three scores on the ground. But it’s not just about stats - it’s about mindset.
“I really wanted to see myself against the best of the best,” Craig said. “The Ivy League is FCS.
It’s good football, but I really wanted to challenge myself this year and really feel like I’m ready before I make that jump. I think I can get more development in college than I can as a rookie backup.”
That kind of self-awareness and patience is rare in a transfer portal era where players often chase immediate opportunity or NFL exposure. Craig is betting on long-term growth over short-term gain - and TCU may be the perfect proving ground.
Dykes sees Craig as more than just a plug-and-play option.
“We just needed somebody that had a lot of maturity,” Dykes said. “He’s got good size and strength, and he’s a great leader. He checked all the boxes and checked them quickly.”
Recruiting in the Portal Era - And Leading It
Craig’s leadership showed up before he even officially joined the team. One of the Horned Frogs’ biggest portal additions, South Alabama wide receiver Jeremy Scott, credited his decision to Craig’s influence.
“Many didn’t know this, me and Jaden had been talking in the portal,” Scott said. “We made this TCU thing the move and got it all figured out.”
Scott was already intrigued by TCU’s track record of producing NFL-caliber wideouts, but knowing he’d be catching passes from a quarterback like Craig was the final piece of the puzzle.
A Quarterback Who Thinks Like an Economist
Craig majored in economics at Harvard, and that analytical mindset shows up in his approach to the game. For him, football is as much about processing as it is about physical tools.
“Processing ability is my greatest strength,” Craig said. “It’s one thing I worked on a lot at Harvard with my quarterbacks coach and my offensive coordinator.
The ability to eliminate things in my read during presnap and right after the snap happens. Being able to streamline that decision-making process is something I really developed at Harvard, and I plan on using that to my advantage when I’m here.”
That kind of cerebral play is exactly what Sammis’ offense demands - and it’s a big reason why Craig could be more than just a stopgap for TCU. He might be the engine that drives their next offensive evolution.
A Loaded Skill Group Awaits
Craig won’t be short on weapons. The Horned Frogs return key pieces at running back in Jeremy Payne and Jon Denman, and the offensive line looks improved with the additions of Noah McKinney and Jaheim Buchanon.
At wide receiver, TCU kept Jordan Dwyer, brought in Scott, and has high hopes for young talents like Terry Shelton and Ed Small. Craig’s early impressions? Let’s just say he likes what he sees.
“There’s a lot of size,” he said. “The receivers have a ton of range.
The tight ends have a ton of range but can also run. The running backs are super talented, but you guys know that; you saw them in the Alamo Bowl.
There’s a lot of excitement around the skill guys that we got.”
The Bottom Line
Jaden Craig had a clear path to the NFL. Instead, he chose the harder road - one that runs through the Big 12 and a TCU program looking to reassert itself after a transitional year.
With his blend of intelligence, leadership, and on-field production, Craig isn’t just another portal pickup. He’s the kind of quarterback who could change the trajectory of a season.
And if things go the way he envisions, Fort Worth might just be the final stop before Sundays.