TCU’s recruiting efforts were dealt a significant setback on Wednesday when Ty Hawkins, a highly regarded four-star quarterback, changed his commitment from TCU to rival SMU. Hawkins had been committed to TCU for over a year and was one of the top-ranked prospects in the 2025 class, standing out as the second-highest rated recruit for the Horned Frogs.
Known for his impressive performance at Johnson High School in San Antonio, Hawkins garnered attention with his standout statistics over the past two seasons. As a starting quarterback, he amassed over 4,000 passing yards, threw 54 touchdowns, and added more than 1,700 rushing yards with 22 touchdowns.
Rumors of Hawkins considering other schools began circulating earlier in the summer when he officially visited SMU on June 10. Despite this visit, Hawkins also took an official visit to TCU less than two weeks later, keeping speculation alive about his final decision.
The situation quieted down until Hawkins announced his transfer to IMG Academy in Florida on Tuesday, a move that raised eyebrows about his commitment status. Shortly thereafter, Hawkins made the surprising decision to switch his commitment from TCU to SMU.
Hawkins’ change of heart resulted in TCU dropping to No. 16 in the 247Sports composite team rankings for their recruiting class. Nevertheless, TCU retains the top recruiting class in the Big 12 conference with a total of 20 commitments. Losing a player of Hawkins’ caliber, especially a quarterback, is undoubtedly a setback for the Horned Frogs. However, the coaching staff remains optimistic about their quarterback prospects, highlighting true freshman Hauss Hejny as a promising candidate for the future. Hejny, a standout from Aledo High School, is highly regarded within the program, and his potential development could mitigate the immediate impact of not securing a quarterback for the 2025 season.
Looking ahead, the recruiting staff faces the challenge of either convincing another prospect to flip their commitment to TCU or identifying a suitable transfer option to bolster the roster. With many top-tier quarterback prospects already committed to other programs, the Horned Frogs will need to explore all available avenues to strengthen their quarterback depth.
The loss of Hawkins underscores the competitive nature of college football recruiting, where commitments can change rapidly based on various factors including official visits, coaching changes, and personal preferences. TCU’s ability to maintain its recruiting momentum despite losing a key recruit demonstrates their resilience and strategic approach to building a competitive roster.
In conclusion, while TCU’s recruiting class took a hit with Ty Hawkins’ decommitment to SMU, the Horned Frogs remain focused on building a strong team for the future. The coaching staff’s confidence in current and future recruits, combined with their ongoing recruitment efforts, suggests that TCU is well-positioned to navigate the challenges of college football recruiting and continue their pursuit of excellence in the Big 12 conference.
