The TCU passing offense was one of the nation’s best in 2024, lighting up scoreboards as Josh Hoover threw for nearly 4,000 yards. It helps to have professional talent on the other end of those passes, as the top three Horned Frogs pass catchers are now in the NFL: Jack Bech was drafted in the 2nd Round by the Las Vegas Raiders, Savion Williams was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 3rd Round, and JP Richardson is turning heads in training camp with the Chicago Bears. That trio combined for 179 catches, 2,710 scrimmage yards, and 23 total touchdowns. For many programs that would be a crippling amount of production to lose in a single offseason, but the TCU is not simply rebuilding the pass-catching corps, the Horned Frogs expect to reload for another explosive season in 2025. The unit will be coached up by former Baylor All-American Corey Coleman who earned the 2015 Biletnikoff Award winner after making one reception for eight yards for the Bears in a 2OT loss to TCU. Let’s look at who will be the top wide receiver targets for the TCU offense in 2025.
Eric McAlister is the headliner of the 2025 unit, entering the season with sky high expectations. A member of the Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list, McAlister was the definition of clutch for the Horned Frogs in 2024. In his first season in Fort Worth after three years at Boise State, the Azle, TX native was a big play factory, delivering when it mattered most. Despite having only 39 receptions on the year, 35 of those delivered a first down or touchdown for TCU, a nation-leading mark while his 19.5 yards per reception ranked in the top 10 nationally. Now earning top billing in his fifth collegiate season, McAlister is ready for the spotlight.
TCU has had a great eye for WR talent in the transfer portal, hitting on certified stars like McAlister, Bech, and Richardson in recent years, and once again brought in productive talent for 2025. Jordan Dwyer was ranked as the No. 84 overall prospect in the transfer portal after a standout sophomore campaign with the Idaho Vandals, including 18 catches for 355 yards and 4 TDs in two FCS Playoff games. Dwyer crossed the century mark in five game en route to 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns for the season earning Second Team All-Big Sky honors. TCU also picked up an intra-conference transfer, bringing in former Houston Cougar Joseph Manjack IV. Starting his career at USC, Manjack spent three seasons at Houston, accumulating 1,086 yards and 10 TDs, including six catches for 71 yards in two games vs. the Horned Frogs.
TCU’s wide receiver room also returns contributor depth ready to step into a larger role in 2025. Jordyn Bailey served as the Horned Frogs’ primary kick return specialist and had some dazzling moments at receiver in his freshman season, including a leaping one-handed touchdown grab at Baylor. The former 4-star out of Denton Ryan also showed off his blazing speed to take a reverse to the house on a 59-yard run vs. Oklahoma State. Major Everhart returns for his fourth season in Fort Worth after suffering a season-ending injury in the season-opener last year at Stanford. The converted running back from Amarillo has also been a return specialist and weapon all over the field, gaining 870 all-purpose yards in 2023. Braylon James is back for another season at TCU after joining the Frogs from Notre Dame ahead of the 2024 season. The former four-star will push for a bigger role this year after appearing in nine games last season but only earning three receptions in 2024.
The Horned Frogs are also loaded with talent that has not yet seen time on the field including Gekyle Baker and Terry Shelton, the highest-rated players from TCU’s 2024 and 2025 recruiting classes respectively. Spring & Fall camp is a chance for someone to step up into a more prominent role, we could be hearing a lot more from redshirt freshman Dozie Ezukanma and true freshmen Ed Small & Jacobe Hayes, each earning big praise from the QBs and the coaching staff. Others rounding out the roster include veterans Keagan Cunningham, Parker Clark, Suton Lee, sophomore Fletcher Fierro, and freshman Dane Jones.