RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesNov 15, 2025; Provo, Utah, USA; Texas Christian University Horned Frogs linebacker Max Carroll (33) tackles BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images
If there’s one area of the TCU defense that needs to see rapid development this season, it’ll be the linebackers.
The Horned Frogs are losing two starters, Kaleb Elarms-Orr and Namdi Obiazor, who were each significant contributors last season and beyond. Obiazor, a safety-turned-linebacker who spent four years with TCU, had 302 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and nine pass breakups over 53 games played. He was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Elarms-Orr, an All-Big 12 First Team pick in 2025, racked up 130 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss and four sacks in the fall. The former Cal transfer, who spent two years with the Horned Frogs, was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2026 draft.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr is headed to Buffalo‼️ #ProFrogs 📺 2026 #NFLDraft – April 23-25 on NFL Network/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/lIuntwbWPY
— TCU Football (@TCUFootball) April 25, 2026
Who will step into those shoes when TCU takes the field this season? One obvious choice will be redshirt junior Max Carroll, a former four-star recruit from the Nashville area who was a top backup last fall. Carroll has made 30 appearances over his last three seasons as a Horned Frog, logging 55 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and three pass breakups. Another choice could be Virginia Tech transfer Michael Short, a senior who played two years at North Carolina before becoming a Hokie. Short played in four games and had 22 tackles for Tech in 2025.
Namdi Obiazor is making his Patriot way up to New England‼️ #ProFrogs 📺 2026 #NFLDraft – April 23-25 on NFL Network/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/NuVi0xaIYh
— TCU Football (@TCUFootball) April 25, 2026
Looking at the roster, TCU brings back redshirt junior Michael Teason, a former Missouri State transfer who played in all 12 regular-season games and totaled 10 tackles in 2025. Also returning are a plethora of redshirt freshmen including Anthony Williams, who made four appearances a season ago. Among those freshmen are Keylan Abrams, Dillon Arkansas, Sam Haley and Noriel Dominguez (true freshman), all former three-stars. Caleb Cortez (redshirt junior), Rhett Steppe (redshirt sophomore) and Hudson Hooper (redshirt junior) are walk-ons.
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