Since Sonny Dykes took over as head coach, TCU has been among the best in the Big 12 at producing top-flight wide receivers.

The list of recent NFL draft picks includes Quentin Johnston, Savion Williams, Jack Bech and Derius Davis, plus Eric McAlister, who earned first-team All-Big 12 honors last season.

The Horned Frogs will once again have a go-to No. 1 receiver who should rank among the best in the conference, but the rest of position room is mostly unproven, with a number of second- and third-year players vying for the biggest roles of their careers.

Even with a more run-oriented offense, the Horned Frogs will need multiple pass catchers to step up around new quarterback Jaden Craig.

The Star-Telegram continues its 2026 TCU football preview with a look at the wide receivers:

⚡ TCU football preview:

→Quarterbacks: Can Jaden Craig replace Josh Hoover?

→Running backs: Alamo Bowl hero ready to lead

→Wide receivers: How will Frogs replace Eric McAlister?

Wide receiver

Departing players: Eric McAlister, Joseph Manjack, Jordyn Bailey, Gekyle Baker

Returning players: Keagan Cunningham, Jordan Dwyer, Major Everhart, Dozie Ezukanma, Fletcher Fierro, Jacobe Hayes, Braylon James, Dane Jones, Sutton Lee, Terry Shelton, Ed Small

Incoming players: Cooper Reid, James Scott, Jeremy Scott, Ace Theus

Projected starters: Jordan Dwyer, Ed Small, Terry Shelton

Breakdown: Getting Dwyer to return was a huge boost for the program, as the Idaho transfer was TCU’s second-leading receiver with 730 yards and seven touchdowns in his Power Four debut. Dwyer feasted, especially early in the season, when opponents double-teamed McAlister, and now he’ll be the one receiving the bulk of attention from defenses.

While Dwyer should ease the loss of McAlister, he’ll need younger players around him to step up as well. In the slot, Small showed promise last year, including a 101-yard performance against Kansas State, before an injury caused him to miss the final six games of the regular season. He’ll battle Everhart for the starting role, but both players should see the field often. Small is a superb route runner, while Everhart is the type of athlete who can turn a jet sweep or bubble screen into a chunk play.

The other outside receiver position should be an intense three-way battle between Shelton, Ezukanma and Jeremy Scott, a transfer from South Alabama. Shelton is a former four-star recruit from Carrollton Ranchview and may have the most NFL upside in the room. The redshirt freshman made a major leap over the course of his first year, but is he ready to start?

Ezukanma, a local standout from Keller Timber Creek, is another player who has impressed the coaches with his development. The redshirt sophomore was expecting a bigger role last year, but that didn’t come to fruition. It should be a different story in 2026.

Scott was the lone wideout TCU brought in from the transfer portal, which is a sign of how much the staff believes in its receivers. Scott had 417 yards and four touchdowns as a redshirt freshman with South Alabama. He could start, but the ideal scenario for TCU is that Shelton or Ezukanma takes over.

Jones, Hayes and Theus could crack the rotation with strong fall camps.

Biggest question: Who will emerge as TCU’s second option? On one hand, the Horned Frogs have plenty of options with potential from Shelton, Ezukanma and Small. But that trio combined for just 243 yards last season. The Horned Frogs will need one of their younger wideouts to turn from a player with potential to a player with production.

Prediction: TCU’s wide receivers aren’t as productive as a year ago partially due to scheme and the loss of McAlister. Dwyer leads the team with more than 800 yards, but the Horned Frogs don’t have another who exceeds 500. It’s not all bad, as Shelton and Small emerge as clear-cut starters set for bigger years in 2027.

NEXT UP: Game dates, times, locations, channel