Linebacker depth will be an area of need for the TCU Horned Frogs, who are losing starters Kaleb Elarms-Orr and Namdi Obiazor to graduation/eligibility expiration this offseason. Head coach Sonny Dykes and his staff are already at work filling the gaps, locking in a commitment from Virginia Tech linebacker transfer Michael Short, who totaled 22 tackles, one sack and one pass breakup during his junior season in 2025. The 6-foot-3, 226-pound defender from Charlotte, North Carolina started his collegiate career at UNC, where he spent two seasons before moving on to Virginia Tech. Short will arrive in Fort Worth with one year of eligibility remaining.
Short’s decision to choose TCU was reported Monday afternoon by multiple outlets. During his sophomore season in 2024, Short totaled 23 tackles, including 17 solo stops, for the Tar Heel defense. A three-star recruit out of Mallard Creek High School, Short signed with UNC over Missouri, Wake Forest, East Carolina and more. Short should be able to compete for a starting linebacker spot at TCU, which will return top reserve linebacker and former four-star recruit Max Carroll along with sophomore Michael Teason and freshmen Dillon Arkansas, Sam Haley, Keylan Abrams and Anthony Williams.
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Short played in 13 games during his freshman season in 2023, primarly on special teams. He’s now the fifth transfer portal addition for the Horned Frogs, who’re bringing in Harvard quarterback Jaden Craig, Louisiana Tech safety Jacob Fields, Louisiana Tech punter/kicker John Hoyet Chance and Oklahoma State offensive guard Noah McKinney.
