TCU Loses Offensive Line Recruit After A.J. Ricker Firing

FORT WORTH -TCU football's decision to fire offensive line coach A.J. Ricker is already creating complications beyond the Horned Frogs' disappointing season.

Three-star Crowley offensive lineman Alexander Herrera has decommitted from TCU's 2027 recruiting class, citing "recent coaching staff changes" as the reason for reopening his recruitment.

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The development was reported Thursday by Charles Baggarly and comes just four days after head coach Sonny Dykes dismissed Ricker, his longtime assistant and co-offensive coordinator.

For a program already struggling to protect its quarterback and establish a consistent rushing attack, losing a talented local offensive line prospect is another unwelcome development.

Herrera, a 6-7, 315-pound offensive tackle from nearby Crowley High School, originally committed to TCU on May 29.

His decision represented an opportunity for the Horned Frogs to keep a promising offensive lineman close to home while addressing one of the roster's most pressing needs.

Ricker played a significant role in Herrera's recruitment, making the coaching change particularly consequential.

The timing couldn't be much worse for Dykes.

TCU enters Saturday's home game against Kansas with a 3-4 record, including a 1-3 mark in Big 12 play. The Horned Frogs have struggled offensively despite receiving productive passing performances from quarterback Jaden Craig.

The offensive line has been a major source of frustration.

Craig has been sacked 20 times through seven games, just two fewer than TCU surrendered during the entire 2025 season.

The Horned Frogs are also averaging approximately 3.3 yards per rushing attempt, contributing to an offense that hasn't consistently turned yardage into touchdowns.

Those problems were evident during last Saturday's 24-20 loss to West Virginia, when Craig was sacked three times and lost a critical fourth-quarter fumble that ended TCU's final scoring opportunity.

Dykes acknowledged the difficult decision to dismiss Ricker during his weekly news conference.

"We just felt like we needed to improve," Dykes said. "We wanted to get on the same page."

Offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis and assistant offensive line coach Ryan Swingle are expected to oversee the position group moving forward.

But Herrera's decision demonstrates another challenge created by midseason coaching changes.

College football recruiting is built heavily around relationships, and removing a position coach can leave committed prospects questioning their future development and fit within a program.

Herrera's departure doesn't necessarily mean TCU is permanently out of the picture. He can still reconsider the Horned Frogs as the recruiting process continues.

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For now, however, his decision leaves another hole in TCU's future offensive line plans.

And with the Horned Frogs fighting to salvage their season, Dykes must now address problems affecting both the current roster and the program's recruiting pipeline.