A Stellar Performance by Jeremy Payne

Tens of thousands of fans gathered at the AlamoDome to witness a thrilling moment in TCU’s Alamo Bowl victory over USC. The game-winning touchdown came from TCU sophomore running back Jeremy Payne, who made a daring move into the end zone during overtime. This crucial play sealed a comeback win for the Horned Frogs, who managed to defeat the ranked Trojans with a final score of 30-27.

Payne’s performance was nothing short of impressive. Despite the absence of starting quarterback Josh Hoover, he rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries while also catching six passes for 50 yards and the game-winning score. His efforts were pivotal in securing the team’s victory and marked a significant step forward in his collegiate career.

Jeremy Payne’s Season Highlights

As a former four-star recruit, Payne showed promise during his freshman year in 2024. However, it was his sophomore season that truly highlighted his potential. He surpassed the 100-yard mark twice in TCU’s last three games, including a 103-yard performance against Houston and a career-high 174 yards with two touchdowns against Cincinnati.

Throughout the season, Payne emerged as TCU’s leading rusher, accumulating 623 yards and five touchdowns on 110 carries (5.7 yards per carry) along with 207 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 22 catches. His contributions were vital not only in filling the void left by injured starting running back Kevorian Barnes but also in establishing himself as the team’s RB1 for the 2026 season.

Backfield Challenges and New Additions

Despite Payne’s success, the TCU backfield faces several challenges. Kevorian Barnes, who transferred from UTSA, had to miss most of the second half due to injuries and will not have eligibility remaining. Additionally, fifth-year senior Trent Battle, a converted quarterback, is leaving the program after a productive season. Battle rushed for 349 yards and six scores in 2025, ranking third on the team in carries and rushing yards.

Other notable departures include redshirt freshman Nate Palmer, who entered the transfer portal, and true freshman Jon Denman, who played in six games and rotated with Palmer. Denman, a former three-star player, is expected to be the team’s No. 2 back behind Payne next season.

TCU also welcomes two highly recruited high-schoolers from the 2026 class: four-star prospect Amante Martin and three-star prospect G’Ivori Graham. Martin, whose older brother Kam played at Auburn, chose TCU over several other schools. Graham also joined the team after considering options like San Diego State.

Running Game Efficiency and Future Plans

The 2025 season did not yield much improvement in TCU’s running game. The team’s best option was the Wildfrog formation featuring wide receiver Savion Williams, who led the team in yards per carry. However, Cam Cook, a former four-star recruit and starting running back in 2024, struggled with turnovers and low efficiency before transferring to Jacksonville State.

TCU finished the 2025 season with 1,708 rushing yards, an improvement from 1,481 in 2024. However, the efficiency remained stagnant, with the team averaging 3.9 yards per carry in 2025 compared to 3.7 in 2024.

With new offensive staff taking over, there is a greater emphasis on running the football. Jimmy Smith, the previous running backs coach, is moving to Georgia Tech, and will be replaced by Antonio Wilcox, who worked alongside Sammis at UConn.

Looking Ahead

As of this article’s posting, TCU has not signed any running backs through the transfer portal. If the team moves forward with Payne, Denman, Martin, and Graham, they will have just one upperclassman with significant game experience on the 2026 roster. While the group is young, there is enough talent to develop and work with as the team prepares for the upcoming season.