Having already bolstered the secondary with Louisiana Tech safety transfer Jacob Fields, TCU continued to improve the defensive backfield this week, locking down a commitment from Central Michigan redshirt junior defensive back Kalen Carroll, a former Power 4 player who started his collegiate career at Cincinnati. Carroll had a career-best season with the Chippewas, recording 49 total tackles, 30 solo tackles, four pass breakups and two interceptions in 2025. The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder from Indianapolis will have one year of eligibility remaining.
On3’s Steve Wiltfong was first to report the news about Carroll, who signed with Cincinnati out of high school and played three seasons for the Bearcats. Carroll redshirted in 2022 and made four starts as a redshirt freshman in 2023, finishing with 12 tackles. Carroll made 10 starts and posted 19 total tackles, 13 solo stops, two tackles for loss and a pass breakup in 2024. The Central Michigan transfer is the 11th portal addition this offseason for the Horned Frogs, who are replacing three-time All-Big 12 honoree Bud Clark along with nickelback Austin Jordan. Several cornerbacks, including seniors Channing Canada and Jevon McIver Jr., are also set to leave the team.
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Carroll is the fifth defensive player added from the transfer portal, joining Western Kentucky EDGE Koron Hayward, Texas Tech EDGE Cheta Ofili, Louisiana Tech safety Jacob Fields and Virginia Tech linebacker Michael Short. A three-star recruit out of high school, Carroll signed with Cincinnati over Kansas, Miami (OH) and more.