2025 Transfer Portal Retrospective: Former Horned Frogs

The 2026 transfer portal officially opens on January 2 and there is already an abundance of players flooding in to announce that they will be seeking the greener grass of NIL endorsements, expanded playing time, or a better shot at a championship. Before the 2026 window opens, let’s take a look back at how the free player movement impacted the Horned Frogs in 2025. Having previously reviewed TCU’s inbound transfer additions from this past season, let’s review the performance of the players who left Fort Worth to continue their collegiate journeys elsewhere.

Headliners

RB Cam Cook, Jacksonville State (9-5; 7-1 CUSA)

13 games played, 1,659 rush yards (5.6 per carry), 16 rush TDs, 30 receptions, 286 receiving yards

Cam Cook was set to be the heir apparent in the backfield for the Horned Frogs in 2024, but the offense could never get the run game figured out. Despite finding the endzone nine times for TCU, Cook’s season was a disappointment with only 460 yards on an inefficient 3.9 per carry. Cook hit the transfer portal and absolutely exploded in his new Conference USA home in 2025, joining Jacksonville State and new head coach Charles Kelly. Cook took his new opportunity and literally ran with it into the history books as C-USA Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, leading the nation in rush yards and 4th overall with 16 rush TDs. Cook earned All-American honors from Sporting News (2nd Team), Associated Press (3rd Team), FWAA (2nd Team), CBS (3rd Team).

OL James Brockermeyer, Miami Florida (10-2; 6-2 ACC)

12 games played, Third Team All-ACC; First Team All-American (CBS)

James Brockermeyer started every game along the offensive line for the Horned Frogs in 2024 following three seasons at Alabama, the Fort Worth native hit the portal again for his final collegiate season. He joined a Miami Hurricanes squad that was going all-in with portal additions for the 2025 season, and it worked, The U made its first College Football Playoff despite not even playing for the ACC Championship. Brockermeyer was a key to the success of that Miami offense, he did not have a single sack credited to him this season as the offensive line unit proved to be one of the nation’s best. This was on display as the Hurricanes advanced to the CFP Quarterfinals with the win in College Station over Texas A&M as Brockermeyer created running lanes for Mark Fletcher to run for 172 yards on over 10 yards per carry.

Impact Players

LB Shad Banks – UTSA (6-6; 4-4 American)

12 games played, 86 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 3 fumble recoveries, 3 interceptions, 1 touchdown. American All-Conference First Team

What a road through college football it has been for Shad Banks. An elite four-star wide receiver prospect in the Class of 2021 from elite Texas High School program Galena Park North Shore, originally signing with Texas A&M. Banks made his way to Fort Worth ahead of his freshman season which included a career highlight with an interception in the final minute to secure a win over No. 12 Baylor in TCU’s first game without Gary Patterson as head coach. Banks would be a contributor on TCU’s incredible 2022 squad, including 10 tackles in the Big 12 Championship. He left the Frogs after 2024 as a graduate transfer having accumulated 114 tackles across four seasons at TCU. Banks wrapped up his final collegiate season at UTSA and flourished in the opportunity with the Roadrunners, named to the All-Conference First Team with 87 total tackles; his 52 solo tackles was 4th in the league.

DL Keviyan Huddleston – North Texas (11-2; 7-1 American)

13 games played, 30 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery

A member of TCU’s highly-touted 2023 recruiting class that was loaded with defensive line talent, the three-star Keviyan Huddleston struggled to see the field for the Horned Frogs. Through two seasons at TCU, Huddleston only played in three games, posting one tackle. He became an instant boost to the Mean Green defense, helping North Texas to historic heights in the 2025 season. His five sacks was good for 7th-best in the American Conference and posted multiple stops in 10 games this season as UNT went 11-2, reaching the conference title game and brink of the Playoff, earning a bid to the New Mexico Bowl.

Other Transfers

LB Terrence Cooks – Texas State (6-6; 3-5 Sun Belt)
12 games played, 48 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks

TE Cade Keith – New Mexico (9-3; 6-2 MWC)
12 games played, 20 receptions, 253 yards, 3 touchdowns

QB Hauss Hejny – Oklahoma State (1-11; 0-9 Big 12)
1 game played, missed rest of season with injury. 5-10 passing, 96 pass yards, 1 pass TD, 27 rush yards, 1 rush TD

DL Avion Carter – North Texas (11-2; 7-1 American)
7 games played, no stats recorded

LB Kylan Salter – Colorado (3-9; 1-8 Big 12)
10 games played, 4 tackles

DB Julian Knox – North Texas (11-2; 7-1 American)
9 games played, 3 tackles

WR JoJo Earle – UNLV (10-3; 6-2 MWC)
7 games played, 11 receptions, 135 receiving yards, 73 rush yards, 1 rush TD

DB Richard Toney – Purdue (2-10; 0-9 Big Ten)
3 games played, 3 tackles

TE Cole Snodgrass – Texas State (6-6; 3-5 Sun Belt)
No stats recorded

OL Mitch Hodnett – Tulane (11-2; 7-1 American)
No stats recorded

LS Jax Thompson – Hawaii (8-4; 5-3 MWC)
No stats recorded

DB Kollin Collier – Old Dominion (10-3; 6-2 Sun Belt)
No stats recorded

OL Mike Stoker – Incarnate Word (5-7; 3-5 Southland)
7 games played

OL Marcus Williams – Bryant (3-9; 1-7 CAA)
1 game played