Following the overtime win in the Valero Alamo Bowl, Sonny Dykes look ahead to the offseason and the 2026 season, where the Frogs will open up against North Carolina in Ireland.
TCU will be losing multiple key figures to both the offense and defense after losing offensive coordinator Kendal Briles to South Carolina as well as quarterback Josh Hoover who announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 18.
The Frogs will also be losing 13 Alamo Bowl starters on both offense and defense to either the NFL draft, the transfer portal or graduation. This list includes wide receiver Eric McAlister, defensive end Devean Deal and defensive back Bud Clark.
The Frogs recently hired former UConn offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis as their new offensive coordinator on Dec. 13. With Sammis, UConn ranked in the top 20 in fewest sacks allowed and had offensive firepower. UConn ranked above TCU in their passing offense, having over 300 passing yards per game and only one interception on the year.
“Biggest thing is to hold onto the players we’ve got. That’s where it begins,” head coach Sonny Dykes said. “Then we’ve got to go address some needs in the transfer portal, we’ll start hosting visits on Jan. 3 and fill the roster and get better.”
TCU had a strong recruiting cycle as well, bringing in a top 35 class and top five in the Big 12. The Frogs brought in four four-star recruits and 23 three-star recruits. TCU also has one transfer portal commitment at the moment, being offensive lineman Noah McKinney. This is McKinney’s third stop, as he started at UNLV, then went to Oklahoma State and now is heading to TCU.
McKinney was able to commit early due to the firing of Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy. The Frogs will potentially gain more commitments as the portal opens on Jan. 2.
TCU will be returning their leading rusher, Jeremy Payne who rushed for 623 yards this season and scored the game winner against USC in the Alamo Bowl.
“THE GAME IS NOT OVER … The game is over.” 😅
TCU TIPTOES ITS WAY TO A WIN IN THE VALERO ALAMO BOWL 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tgoQM1E43d
— ESPN (@espn) December 31, 2025
Wide receivers Terry Shelton and Ed Small are up next, who only featured in only a few games but had large impacts. Small had a 100 yard receiving game against Kansas State this year and Shelton had a big 22 yard catch over a USC defender in the Alamo Bowl.
“I want to be in the playoff every year and we’re going to work our tails off to get there,” Dykes said. “(The Alamo Bowl) does give us a lot of momentum and gives us confidence. Bunch of people probably watched this game and it was a great look for TCU football and left an impression on recruits.”
Dykes mentioned how important it was for the Big 12 to continue to represent both in bowl season and in the playoff to show that the Big 12 is one of the top premier conferences and deserves to be respected.
Dykes reflected on how TCU beat a great Michigan team in the playoffs who’s only loss in a two year span was to TCU. Dykes then went on to mention the importance of success from fellow Big 12 member, Texas Tech, in the playoffs this year.
