Special teams proved challenging at times for the TCU Horned Frogs last season. Kyle Lemmermann, then a true freshman and one of the top kicking prospects nationally prior to signing with TCU, went 15 for 22 on field-goal attempts (68.2 percent), which ranked 134th in the country. Ethan Craw, then a junior who took over for Jordy Sandy as the team’s starting punter, averaged just 42.4 yards per attempt, ranking 96th out of 192 punters.
Both Lemmermann and Craw returned as TCU’s top specialists for the 2025 season. Lemmermann had a strong 2025 debut at North Carolina, finishing 2-for-2 on field-goal attempts and 6-for-6 on extra points as the Horned Frogs crushed the Tar Heels. Unfortunately, Lemmermann suffered a leg injury prior to the Abilene Christian game and missed the remainder of the regular season, returning to make the game-tying field goal near the end of the fourth quarter in the Alamo Bowl. TCU went on to upset No. 16 USC 30-27 on a Jeremy Payne touchdown.
With Lemmermann sidelined for 11 games, redshirt sophomore Nate McCashland emerged and became a key contributor throughout the season. McCashland, who handled kickoff duties in seven games last season, hadn’t attempted a field goal prior to the 2025 campaign. Although McCashland attempted just two field goals over his first six games, the team gained more trust in him as the season progressed. McCashland attempted nine field goals in his last five games, making eight. McCashland finished 9-for-12 and a perfect 42-for-42 on extra points.
Both Lemmermann, who went 3-for-3 on extra points against USC, and McCashland will be back for the 2026 season. TCU will have a new punter, however, as the team signed Louisiana Tech transfer John Hoyet Chance. A left-footed redshirt freshman who spent two seasons with the Bulldogs, Chance in 2025 averaged 47.3 yards per punt which ranked 15th out of 199 punters in all of college football. Boasting a career long of 72 yards, Chance will replace Craw, who will graduate after averaging just 41.5 yards per punt, 130th among all college punters.
TCU’s most notable loss in the return game was JP Richardson, who was named an Honorable Mention for the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year in 2025. The Horned Frogs commissioned newcomer Jordan Dwyer, a transfer from Idaho, to take over punt return duties. Dwyer returned a team-high seven punts for a total of 77 yards including a 53-yard personal best. On kickoffs, TCU brought back speedster Jordyn Bailey, but injuries sidelined Bailey for most of the season. Stepping in was redshirt junior Major Everhart, who led the team with nine kick returns in 2025. True freshman Ed Small earned reps on both the kick and punt return units.
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Redshirt freshman Cal Keeler handled long snapping duties for the Horned Frogs, taking over for longtime starter and team captain Brent Matiscik. Keeler, who started all 13 games in 2025, entered the transfer portal and will not return to the team next season. Redshirt senior Aaron Bowers and incoming freshman Will Terry, the No. 2 ranked long snapping prospect in the nation’s 2026 class, are two candidates to emerge at the position. Easton Black, a redshirt junior and backup punter, handled holding duties for the second straight season and has played in 23 games over the last two years. Black will be a redshirt senior and a candidate to hold again in 2026.
