The TCU Horned Frogs flexed their recruiting muscles once again. Twenty-one high school recruits signed their National Letter of Intent (NLI, not to be confused with NIL) on Wednesday, 18 of which came from in-state commitments. The recruiting class ranks second in the new Big 12, behind only Texas Tech. Nationally, the class ranks 31st.

The class is headlined by Aledo four-star QB Hauss Hejny (hay-nee); in total, three 4-star recruits signed on with the Horned Frogs.

TCU Signs Strong 2024 Early Signing Day Class

While Hejny may be the most recognizable name on the list, receiver Gekyle Baker is the highest-rated recruit, per 247Sports. The Brownsboro, Texas, native ranked 23rd nationally among receivers, hauling in 147 receptions for 2,616 yards and 30 touchdowns in his career, all Brownsboro records. Baker was also a state-contending track athlete, qualifying for Texas 4A regionals in the 200 meter hurdles and high jump as a sophomore.

Hejny led Aledo to its 12th 5A Division I state championship earlier this month. The Bearcats finished 2023 with a perfect 16-0 record and a no-doubt 51-8 state championship victory over Smithson Valley. Hejny threw for almost 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns his senior year – a year which he sat most second halves due to Aledo blowing their opponents out. He competed in the famed Elite 11 and is the nation’s 12th-ranked QB.

Running back Jeremy Payne (Missouri City, TX) rounds out the four-star signees in the Early Signing Period. Payne earned unanimous first-team All-District honors in 20-6A his sophomore and junior seasons, averaging over 10 yards per carry. Not only was he the 20th-ranked running back nationally, but was also a terrific baseball player, batting over .400 his final two seasons.

Offensive Signees

Joining Payne in the backfield is Decatur back Nate Palmer. Palmer rushed for nearly 5,000 yards in his career, including 1,763 yards and 29 total touchdowns his senior year. As a junior, he topped those marks, rushing for over 2,500 yards and 33 total touchdowns in a season where Decatur made the state semifinals.

Dozie Ezukanma – brother of Erik, a Texas Tech receiver and current Miami Dolphin – is the other receiver signed in this recruiting class. Dozie played his football at Timber Creek (Fort Worth) and totaled 877 yards and 12 touchdowns a senior and doubled as a kick returner. TCU also signed tight end Cole Snodgrass (The Woodlands, TX), a three-star versatile athlete who posed a receiving and rushing threat at College Park High School.