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Retaining talent is more difficult than ever in the revenue-sharing era of college football, especially on the offensive and defensive lines.
But TCU was able to keep most of its entire two-deep up front defensively, giving the Horned Frogs a strong foundation to build on.
TCUs defensive line was mostly solid in year two under coordinator Andy Avalos.
The Horned Frogs ranked fifth in the Big 12 in run defense and produced 24 sacks, but TCU will have even higher expectations for the unit in 2026.
Will all the returning production translate to the Horned Frogs being one of the best units in the conference? That could be the biggest key for the Horned Frogs to make it back to the Big 12 championship game for the first time since 2022.
The Star-Telegram continues its 2026 TCU football preview with a look at the defensive line: Defensive line Departing players: Devean Deal, Jonathan Bax, Connor Lingren, Travis Jackson, Micheal Ibukun-Okeyode Returning players: Zach Chapman, Perry Cole, Markis Deal, Ansel Din-Mbuh, Floyd Guidry, Tristan Johnson, Jared Martin, Kelten Mickell, Paul Oyewale, Blake Robinett, John Schobel, Brody Whatley, CJ Woodfork Incoming players: Carter Buck, Jesse Ford, Maddox Flynt, Koron Hayward, Cheta Ofili Projected starters: Paul Oyewale (DE), Ansel Din-Mbuh (DT), Markis Deal (NT), Zach Chapman (STUD) Breakdown: The Horned Frogs utilize a four-man defensive front and will bring plenty of continuity into next season.
In the middle, Deal and Din-Mbuh formed a strong run stopping duo last season.
Din-Mbuh produced 24 tackles and two sacks in his first season after transferring in from Washington State.
Deal was the gem of TCUs 2023 recruiting class and is blossoming into one of the Big 12s best defensive tackles.
At edge, Oyewale and Chapman rotated at defensive end last season, but now TCU will try to have both on the field at the same time.
Chapman will move to stud, TCUs hybrid defensive end/ linebacker position, to replace Devean Deal.
Devean was an All-Big 12 selection last season and was the ideal player to man the position last year.
Chapman can rush the passer, but will he be comfortable dropping into coverage? Theres promising talent within the two deep starting with Johnson in the interior.
Johnson has consistently flashed his potential in practice and when hes been able to get on the field.
Hell be one of the first off the bench behind Din-Mbuh.
Mickell and Cole are two names to watch that could play behind Deal at nose tackle.
The depth at edge rusher is one of TCUs strongest qualities.
The Horned Frogs brought in Hayward from Western Kentucky and Ofili from Texas Tech.
Hayward brings a wealth of experience as a redshirt junior while Ofili is an upside play for TCU as a former four-star recruit out of Sachse.
Theyll have stiff competition to crack the two deeps thanks to how well TCU has recruited at the position.
Schobel, a redshirt freshman, has a chance to crack the two-deep at stud while Woodfork was another blue chip recruit out of the greater Houston area.
Woodfork took a lot of second team reps during the spring and the program is hoping he can live up to his lofty recruiting ranking this season.
Ford and Buck are two four-star incoming true freshmen though Ford is still recovering from a hamstring tear he suffered last August at Arlington Martin.
Finally, another name to know is Martin.
The redshirt freshman was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2025 out of California who is hoping to make an impact during fall camp.
TCUs defensive line has everything from experienced veterans to young, highly recruited players with upside.
Biggest question: Having depth is a great thing, but who will emerge as TCUs star up front? Great defensive lines typically have a standout who draws double-teams and opens up rushing lanes for his teammates.
Could it be Chapman? Or maybe itll be Deal? Either way, TCU needs someone to emerge as an All-Big 12-caliber player.
Prediction: The depth and overall talent help TCU make another leap defensively with the Horned Frogs ranking top-five in the Big 12 in run defense and sacks.
Chapman emerges as the go-to pass rusher and is in consideration for all-conference honors.