TCU football is pushing hard on the recruiting trail as Sonny Dykes targets elite Texas prospects ahead of spring practice and a new-look offense.
FORT WORTH - TCU football hasn’t played a snap in months, but the Horned Frogs are far from quiet.
After closing the 2025 season with a dramatic comeback victory over USC in the Alamo Bowl, the offseason has been anything but calm in Fort Worth. Between roster turnover, the transfer portal shuffle, and a new offensive coordinator stepping into the spotlight, the Frogs are already laying the groundwork for the next era of TCU football.
Now the focus is squarely on recruiting, and Texas remains the priority.
Head coach Sonny Dykes and his staff have been aggressively pursuing several top prospects in the 2027 recruiting class as the program prepares for spring football. The strategy is clear: dominate the trenches, secure playmakers, and keep the best talent in the state of Texas wearing purple.
One of the most intriguing targets is massive offensive lineman Alexander “Big Country” Herrera.
Standing 6-7 and weighing around 315 pounds, Herrera has the frame that college coaches dream about when projecting a future offensive tackle. Ranked among the top offensive linemen nationally in the 2027 class, Herrera has made it clear that the Horned Frogs are currently leading the race.
The relationship between Herrera and the staff has been building for some time.
“They’ve shown me love since before they even offered,” Herrera said recently when discussing TCU’s pursuit.
Another offensive line prospect firmly on the radar is Dripping Springs standout Hudson Whitenight. At 6-4 and 270 pounds, Whitenight has already scheduled multiple visits to Fort Worth, including an official trip later this spring.
The new offensive direction under coordinator Gordon Sammis has also caught recruits’ attention.
Running back Tristan Willis, a top-50 player at his position in the 2027 class, has TCU near the top of his recruitment as well. The explosive C.E. King product has been impressed with the honesty and vision the coaching staff has presented.
“They’ve been real about how I fit in their offense,” Willis said.
TCU is also battling for several defensive standouts, including four-star defensive lineman Xavier Muhammad and edge rusher Drake Carroll. Both players bring the kind of speed and versatility that defensive coordinators crave, and both have built strong connections with the TCU coaching staff.
Wide receiver Braylon Deal - the younger brother of former TCU defenders Devean and Markis Deal - is another name to watch as the Frogs attempt to keep the family pipeline alive.
For TCU, the message is simple. The season may be over, but the fight for the future is already underway.