TCU adds to Top-25 class, flips 2025 DL Brody Whatley from Baylor

TCU made a big splash on the recruiting trail earlier this week by flipping Columbus (Texas) four-star quarterback Adam Schobel from Oklahoma State. Head coach Sonny Dykes and Co. have the spatula out once again to kick off August.

On Thursday night, Monroe (La.) Neville three-star defensive lineman Brody Whatley announced that he’s flipped his pledge from Baylor to the Horned Frogs. Whatley becomes commitment No. 24 for TCU this cycle.

“First off I just want to thank God for putting me in this position to be able to play football at the next level and having that opportunity with Baylor, I appreciate everything that staff has done for me and sacrificed for me and I am grateful they gave me that opportunity. I appreciate Coach Aranda and Coach Nokes for everything and trusting in me as a football player. Taking everything into perspective I feel like this is the best option for me and my family. Respect my Decision,” Whatley wrote in his announcement on X.

The 6-foot-4, 250-pounder was committed to Baylor since April 23. He’s taken multiple visits to Fort Worth this year, including multiple trips this summer. Whatley is now the third listed DL in TCU’s 2025 class, flanking Spring (Texas) three-star Floyd Guidry and Fort Worth All Saints Episcopal DL Blake Robinett.

Whatley is the No. 123 defensive lineman and No. 40 player in Louisiana in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the No. 102 DL in the 2025 On300.

Horned Frogs have No. 1 class in Big 12

An impressive summer on the recruiting trail now has TCU’s 2025 class checking in at No. 23 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big 12, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Five blue-chippers highlight the class, including Humble (Texas) Summer Creek four-star EDGE Chad Woodfork and Brownsboro (Texas) four-star cornerback Micah Strickland, a pair of On3 top-100 recruits. Woodfork is the No. 7 EDGE and No. 54 recruit in the On300, while Strickland is the No. 80 prospect and No. 11 corner.

Schobel is now also in the mix as a top-20 signal-caller and a top offensive addition for Dykes. Boerne (Texas) four-star interior offensive lineman Logan Schram and Austin (Texas) Anderson four-star athlete Ed Small are both top-400 prospects.

Of the 24 total commitments, 19 are in-state. The average distance to home for the current TCU class is 235.5 miles, as of Aug. 1.