Tank Carder was named the state's defensive player of the year by Dave Campbell's Texas Football Magazine. The senior linebacker was also named by the publication as the best linebacker in the state. In addition to Carder, wide receiver Josh Boyce, linebacker Tanner Brock, guard Kyle Dooley, kicker Ross Evans, punter Anson Kelton, defensive end Stansly Maponga, and running back Ed Wesley were all named to Dave Campbell's All-Texas Team. Carder has been named a first-team All-American by Playboy, Sporting News and Phil Steele's College Football Preview.

After finishing the 2010-11 season with its first BCS bowl win and ranked No. 2 in the final BCS poll, TCU faces the task of replacing five defensive starters.

For the past three years, TCU has had the best statistical defense in FBS football and has finished first in total defense an unprecedented five times under head football coach Gary Patterson 8212; more than any other program since NCAA started tracking statistics in 1937. Only Toledo (1969-71) and Oklahoma (1985-87) have also finished first in total defense three consecutive seasons.