FORT WORTH — TCU’s offensive line lost four starters during the offseason and desperately needed reinforcements for the upcoming campaign.
After having an elite O-line showing during 2022 en route to the National Championship game, the unit had some health problems and never got back to enforcing its will on the Big 12 in 2023.
With a lot of new faces in the trenches during fall camp, for Texas A&M transfer Remington Strickland, being with the Horned Frogs is about getting to display his strength in hopes of building a playoff-worthy O-line.
“I play physical, I bring an edge to the interior and I think it’s what we needed,” Strickland said during fall camp Thursday night. “That’s why I came here.”
Over his three years with the Aggies (redshirting in 2021), Strickland saw limited time. The former three-star recruit out of Fort Bend Christian played in nine games across two seasons, primarily working on special teams.
Now Strickland is battling with his fellow interior offensive line transfers like Cade Bennett (San Diego State) and Carson Bruno (Louisiana Tech) for starting time in offensive coordinator Kendal Briles’ unit.
Most of the offensive line figures to be made of transfer additions this year, with the Horned Frogs picking up five players in the portal to compete for roles. Tackle Mike Nichols is one of few returners that seems to have nailed down a spot.
As Strickland and his fellow transfers have joined the offense that he says “fits him well” the transition hasn’t been too overwhelming as the group is mostly starting from the same place.
And they have the benefit of bringing in experience from some top programs including transfer center James Brockermeyer, who joined TCU from Alabama.
“We’re all new, but having the experience at other schools has allowed us to bring knowledge from other places and come together and work hard,” said Strickland.
Offensive line coach A.J. Ricker has been a big part of the growth that Strickland has already felt since joining the team and going through spring camp and summer workouts.
Ricker has developed some high-end offensive linemen and had two players drafted to the NFL in the top-70 picks over the past two years. His emphasis on technique has seen O-linemen excel in Fort Worth and it’s why Strickland sees the unit getting onto the path of championship form for the upcoming season.
“Personally I just want to play as physical as I can,” Strickland said. “Bring the offensive line to where it should be, where it needs to be and get back to that Big 12 Championship.”
Strickland has the least playing time of the interior line transfers, with Bennett and Bruno each coming from schools where they started in full-time roles. But Strickland says he can bring something a little different.
If he can earn his spot along the O-line against some tough competition, the Sugar Land, Texas native will finally have the chance to prove his ability on Saturdays.