⚡ CFB Dashboard

TCU's football team completed spring camp just over a week ago, completing 15 practices. HFB previewed each position group on offense and defense prior to spring camp and now that spring camp has concluded, it's time to recap each of the position groups and how they performed. We've recapped the quarterback, running back and tight end room, now it's time to look at the Frogs' slot receivers and how they performed in the spring. TCU SPRING SLOT/INSIDE RECEIVER ROSTER Ed Small | Sophomore Major Everhart | Senior Dane Jones | RS Freshman Ace Theus | True Freshman Fletcher Fierro | RS Sophomore (walk-on) What we knew before spring camp The return of Ed Small and Major Everhart gave the inside receiver position a big boost based on their athleticism and overall experience. Small had a solid season in his true freshman season, appearing in seven games. He played in the first six games of the season before suffering an injury against Kansas State thus missing the final six regular season games before returning for the bowl game. Ironically, his best game was against Kansas State when he hauled in a career-high six catches for 101 yards. Small is a bigger slot receiver at 205-pounds, but with great hands and meticulous route running, he's a big mismatch for linebackers and safeties. Everhart was coming off his biggest season as a Frog in 2025 after missing basically the entire 2024 season. He appeared in ten games and made three starts on the year, finishing with 10 catches for 149 yards. Everhart had a solid performance in the Frogs' win over USC, hauling in a career-high four catches including a critical 20-yard reception in the fourth quarter. With blazing speed and a good experience, Everhart is perhaps ready for his best season yet. Dane Jones battled injuries early in fall camp last season and by the time he was healthy, the depth chart had already been supplanted. However, Jones gives the Frogs another big weapon at receiver with this speed and route running ability. True freshman Ace Theus was one of the fastest 2026 prospects in the entire nation and was part of Duncanville's 4x100 relay team that ran a 39.9 in the spring of 2025. Theus isn't the biggest, but his explosiveness and breakaway speed is very similar to former Frogs Kavontae Turpin and Derius Davis. Following spring camp Just as expected, it became a very good battle for the starting slot position and at this point, I really don't know if there is a designated starter. Both Small and Everhart drew the lion's share of first team reps throughout camp. In the beginning it was mostly Everhart and by the end, Small was taking the reins with a majority of the first team reps. However, receivers coach Malcolm Kelly did a good job of making sure each continued to get first team reps throughout camp and each made big plays. Everhart was heavily involved in the spring, especially on the perimeter with his speed. Gordon Sammis looked like he was making it an emphasis to get Everhart's speed involved. Without getting into too many specifics, he moved around quite a bit. Small continued to display his route running ability and he may be the most consistent receiver on the roster, slot or outside, on getting open. Small continued to be clutch catching the football and by the back half of spring camp he was becoming a favorite target of Jaden Craig's. Compared to last fall, Jones may be the most improved of the slot receivers. Jones displayed what made him a highly coveted receiver out of the 2025 class by displaying consistent catching and the ability to get open. There was one particular practice where he was working with the second offense and there were about 3-4 plays in a row that went to Jones. He definitely became a favorite target of Adam Schobel. Theus was as advertised when it came to speed. He started slow, as most true freshmen do, but he finished strong and was able to make several big plays in camp. Like he did with Everhart, you could get a sense that Sammis wanted to involve Theus's speed and he was moved around quite a bit. While he may be a year away being a consistent contributor on offense, Theus could make the most impact as a return specialist in his first season. Injury report This was another group that remained healthy throughout camp. I don't recall any of the slot receivers missing time due to injury. Conclusion The competition in this room is making everyone better. Whether Small or Everhart starts, there's no doubt both will play and play a lot. Both bring unique strengths to the position and are able to make plays. Seeing the way Jones progressed from the fall makes the position even better. I'm anxious to see how much he develops over the summer; he has a legitimate chance to make this an even better competition. Although losing Joseph Manjack IV hurts production, I'm more than confident this room is going to produce solid numbers in 2026.