TCU football has seen two cornerbacks transition to the NFL in the past two years. Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, a former Jim Thorpe Award winner, was drafted in 2023 and now plays for the Los Angeles Rams. Meanwhile, Josh Newton finished his rookie season with the Cincinnati Bengals after being selected in 2024. Heading into the 2024 season, TCU welcomed back some key players but also made important additions through the transfer portal. They signed LaMareon James from Old Dominion and JaTravis Broughton from Utah to strengthen their cornerback depth.
James and Broughton played crucial roles for TCU after the team suffered preseason losses. Both Avery Helm and Vernon Glover Jr. were ruled out for the season due to injuries. James emerged as one of TCU’s top cornerbacks, recording 14 pass breakups and 35 tackles across 13 games. One of his standout moments came with a key interception during TCU’s road win over Kansas. Broughton, a former Ute, started the season as a starter. His campaign had ups and downs, as he was targeted frequently in TCU’s losses to UCF and SMU, where he made 21 of his 38 tackles. However, Broughton performed well against Stanford’s Elic Ayomanor during TCU’s win over the Cardinal.
A significant contributor in the second half of the season was Jevon McIver Jr., who made the leap from Austin Peay (FCS) to TCU in 2024. McIver Jr. debuted against Texas Tech and appeared in six games, recording 12 tackles and five pass breakups. He still has one year of eligibility left and could take on an even larger role next season. TCU also relied on Channing Canada, a former JUCO cornerback. Canada recorded 31 tackles and two pass breakups in his second season with the Horned Frogs in 2024. He has been a dependable depth option, playing in 25 games over the last two years and should continue to contribute next season. Canada was a four-star JUCO recruit before joining TCU.
TCU will lose both James and Broughton after the 2024 season. James has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, while Broughton has completed six seasons at the collegiate level. The return of Helm and Glover Jr. from injury will give a boost to a TCU defense that ranked 23rd in the nation for passing defense, allowing only 185.2 yards per game. McIver Jr. and Canada could also return, while young cornerbacks, including freshman Devondre McGee, will compete for more playing time in 2025. Although TCU lost freshman corner Julian Knox to the transfer portal, the Horned Frogs have added several promising prospects for 2025. Four-star corner Micah Strickland from Brownsboro, three-star Gil Jackson from Ridge Point, and JUCO recruit Jonah Martinez from Long Beach will join the team.
Additionally, TCU signed former Washington cornerback Elijah Jackson. Jackson, who spent five seasons with the Huskies, recorded 89 tackles, seven pass breakups, and three forced fumbles. One of his standout moments came in Washington’s College Football Playoff win over Texas when he broke up a pass near the end zone to seal the victory. With a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talent, TCU’s cornerback group looks to be well-rounded heading into the 2025 season.
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