Inside linebacker Jonathan Bax’s decision to remain with the TCU football program

When linebacker Jonathan Bax entered his name into the transfer portal on Dec. 5, it was a huge shock for TCU and its fanbase.

A three-star signee from New Orleans, Bax enrolled early at TCU last year and while he wasn’t the highest-ranked recruit in the Horned Frogs’ 2023 signing class, he quickly showed how vast potential He consistently made plays in the spring and summer, regularly getting reps with the first- and second-team defenses.

What was more impressive was that Bax was learning a new position as he moved from being an edge rusher to a more traditional linebacker. But his standout play in practice didn’t lead to a lot of playing time in games and it was one of the reasons Bax thought he needed to explore his options.

“It was a very tough decision,” Bax said after TCU’s second spring practice. “I had talked to my parents about it along with Coach Gillespie, Coach (Sonny) Dykes and even some of my teammates. I didn’t want to leave this place, like I told Gillespie in a meeting. I wanted to be here for the fans, the people and the coaches here in Fort Worth. They recruited me, they believed in me.”

As much as he loved TCU and the community, Bax added that it was tough for him and Gillespie to get on the same page.

“There were some things we just weren’t seeing eye-to-eye on,” Bax said. “I took into it consideration after talking to my parents and God. I was just thinking it was time for me to move on and find another program.”

Five days after Bax entered the portal, Dykes fired Gillespie because the defense didn’t take a step forward as expected in 2023. Dykes moved quickly and Andy Avalos was named defensive coordinator the very next day.

Avalos had a lot on his plate during that first week from learning the roster, getting settled in Texas and so much more. But the former Boise State head coach made sure that one of the first things he did was reach out to Bax.

“One of the biggest things was just being able to turn on his high school film and see what he did there,” Avalos said. “Knowing the structure we’re going to play with and the position fit what his skill set calls for. It was just about finding out what his goals and aspirations were. Thankfully the staff here was really good about going through the personnel with us and identifying who we had and how we were going to build it.”

With Avalos moving TCU away from the 3-3-5 defensive scheme, there was a need for hybrid linebackers to get after the quarterback in the “STAR” position. That’s the hybrid defensive end/linebacker position in Avalos’ defense which presented a 4-2-5 look with three defensive linemen and Bax on the edge.

On Monday, Bax showed why he’s such a natural fit for this defense as rotated in with the first group on defense most of the day.

His speed off the edge stood out and he’s still using the skills he learned last year as there were a number of times Bax dropped back into pass coverage. Bax and his teammates are still learning the ins and outs of the scheme, but he’s thankful that Avalos made him a priority.

“I had a great conversation with him and we talked about a lot,” Bax said. “I really felt like the work I put in with Coach Gillespie paid off... I think I did a good job on and off the field creating this name for myself where coaches speak highly about me when I wasn’t in the building, so Avalos would even want to call me to get me back here.

“I think the things I did when I was here my freshman year, it all paid off to get me in the situation I’m in now.”

Getting to know Bax

Often times when players enter the portal, they usually can’t return to the place they’re trying to leave. But Bax was welcomed back to the program with open arms and it wasn’t just because of his talent, it’s also because of the type of person he was.

To gain a little insight on who Bax is and where he’s from all you have to do is turn on the streaming service Hulu, which made a documentary on Bax’s high school Edna Karr called “Algiers, American”.

It chronicles how Bax and his teammates navigate the harsh environment of New Orleans while also pursuing a state championship and dreams of playing at the next level. From the pain of losing childhood friends to gun violence and how the community dealt with the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, it’s an eye-opening look into what Bax had to overcome to make it to TCU.

“It was a blessing to let everybody in the world see our story and the things we go through being in Algiers,” Bax said. “New Orleans can be a very violent city, filled with gun violence. I lost one of my best friends Keyron Ross, I always wear his chain (that says) forever 48, losing my best friend to gun violence that’s what keeps me going throughout the day.

Bax understands how precious life can be and knows that something as simple as being at the wrong house party or the wrong street could lead to tragedy.

But he hopes that him being at TCU could be a message for the kids back in his neighborhood that may not think it’s possible to escape their environment.

“I always have this thought in my head that in my head to keep pushing through for him and my loved ones,” Bax said. “I was just glad (Hulu) came to my school and put our story out to show the world that it can be possible. We come from a violent city where a lot of people don’t want to see you win, but there’s always a person that’s going to make it out.

“I just want to be that great example to other kids back home that it’s okay, you can make it out. Just stay out of danger’s way, listen to your people and keep going.”

With such a mature mindset, it’s no surprise that both Dykes and Avalos wanted to keep Bax in the program.

“At times you have to pause and remember he’s only a true sophomore,” Avalos said. “I do think he has some maturity for his age in terms of being a competitor. He came up in a good high school program so with that he brings a little bit of experience. Working with him, he’s an extreme competitor on the field and in the classroom.”

It’s clear the Horned Frogs are just as happy to have Bax back as he is to finish what he started with the school that believed in him the most out of high school.

Regardless if Bax becomes a starter or a key reserve this season, the fact that he’s here at this level is already a success story.