2026 TCU Football Season Preview: Defensive Line

KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 28: TCU Horned Frogs defensive lineman Markis Deal (95) jumps to bat down a pass attempt by Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) in the second quarter of a Big 12 football game between the TCU Horned Frogs and Kansas Jayhawks on September 28, 2024 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

TCU graduated Devean Deal from its football roster, but younger brother Markis Deal is still in the fold.

Now a redshirt junior entering his fourth year with the Horned Frogs, Markis is a top returning starter back on the defensive line. The nose tackle in defensive coordinator Andy Avalos’ 4-2-5 base scheme, Markis Deal had a career-high 26 total tackles while adding two tackles for loss, two pass breakups and a sack this past season. The 6-foot-5, 325-pounder from El Paso, Texas was a highly-recruited four-star prospect at Naaman Forest and is long overdue for a breakout campaign on the TCU defense, which rosters 11 defensive tackles and 12 edge players.

BIG TIME STOP! Markis Deal comes up with a huge stop on fourth down to force a turnover on downs! pic.twitter.com/ozGMjI36aC

— TCU Football (@TCUFootball) September 27, 2025

Another key starter back for another go-around is Ansel Din-Mbuh, a former Aledo standout who transferred in from Washington State last offseason. In his first season with the Horned Frogs, Din-Mbuh made 12 starts and totaled 24 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Now a senior, Din-Mbuh will flank Deal on one side, while redshirt junior Paul Oyewale could line the other side at the end position. Oyewale, who was rumored to be entering the transfer portal after the 2025 season, has been with the Horned Frogs for four-plus years. Injuries have slowed him down, but Oyewale had a career-high 31 total tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss this past fall.

Ansel Din-Mbuh (6’3 291) TCU ✅ 6 sacks during 2024 season ✅ 72.9 run defense grade in 2025 ✅ Quick feet off the snap ✅ Alignment versatility pic.twitter.com/vmLkIlBpTZ

— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) May 30, 2026

At the EDGE position, Zach Chapman and Western Kentucky transfer Koron Hayward are two players to watch. Chapman, a redshirt junior who was named a Freshman All-American in 2024, made nine starts at defensive end this past season. He has 52 tackles, six tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks over his last two seasons at TCU. Hayward arrives for his first season in Fort Worth after making 11 appearance and five starts for the Hilltoppers in 2025. A redshirt junior, Hayward compiled 19 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks at Western Kentucky this past fall.

Returning in depth roles at defensive tackle are Perry Cole Jr., Floyd Guidry, Tristan Johnson, Connor Lingren, Kelten Mickell, Blake Robinett and Brody Whatley. True freshmen Maddox Flynt and Duncan McGhee are two newcomers at the position. Back for TCU at the EDGE spot are Travis Jackson, Jared Martin, John Schobel and Chad Woodfork. Cheta Ofili is a newcomer from Texas Tech, while true freshmen Jesse Ford and Carter Buck are both newcomers also. Ofili, a redshirt sophomore, played in nine games last season, but made tackles in just two.

DE Paul Oyewale confirms he's returning to TCU, per his IG. Several outlets reported that Oyewale would enter the transfer portal, but he never did. Those reports caught him off guard, sources told HornedFrogBlitz. pic.twitter.com/elSPTE4L4a

— Jamie Plunkett (@FrogPreacher) January 6, 2026

Johnson and Lingren were top reserves on the interior a season ago. Johnson, a redshirt sophomore, had 17 tackles and 1.5 sacks last year. Lingren, a redshirt junior, had eight tackles and 0.5 sacks across all 13 games. Jackson, a redshirt sophomore, had a promising true freshman season in 2024, posting 20 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, an interception and a pass breakup in 13 games before appearing in just five games a season ago. Woodfork is a redshirt freshman and former highly-touted four-star recruit who made two appearances in 2025.

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →