Hill, Sawyer even on first TCU depth chart after spring practice

Quarterbacks Kenny Hill and Foster Sawyer are listed as even on the post-spring depth chart released by TCU on Tuesday, and two junior-college transfers are pushing for starting spots on defense.

Hill and Sawyer finished the spring taking reps with the first unit and will continue into the fall, coach Gary Patterson said after the spring scrimmage.

On defense, sophomore safety Markell Simmons and defensive end Mat Boesen are listed as even with their competition for those jobs. Simmons is vying with sophomore Niko Small at free safety. Boesen, a junior, is even with James McFarland, a senior who missed last season with a broken toe, at right defensive end.

McFarland is one of four players who missed significant time in 2015 with injuries that are back in line for starting roles.

Ranthony Texada, lost in Week 3 to a knee injury, is listed as a starter at one cornerback spot ahead of Tony James, a converted receiver who ascended to a first-team role in the spring.

Sophomore Breylin Mitchell is listed as a starting defensive tackle.

The remainder of the defense has returning starters listed at left defensive end (Josh Carraway), defensive tackle (Aaron Curry), linebacker (Montrel Wilson and Travin Howard), strong safety (Denzel Johnson) and weak safety (Nick Orr).

On offense, running backs Kyle Hicks and Shaun Nixon are listed as even. Hicks ran for three touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass last season. Nixon became a receiver last season to make up for injuries and wound up second on the team in catches.

The offensive line lists returning starter Joseph Noteboom at left tackle with Patrick Morris at left guard, Austin Schlottman at center, Matt Pryor at right guard and Aviante Collins at right tackle.

At Z-receiver, manned by Josh Doctson for two years, sophomore Jaelan Austin is listed as the starter, backed up by Taj Williams and Emanuel Porter.

The X-receiver spot lists Deante’ Gray, who missed last season after knee surgery in spring training a year ago, with four-star freshman Isaiah Graham next. The Y-receiver spot has Ty Slanina, who missed the last nine games with a broken collarbone, backed up by Jarrison Stewart even with LSU graduate transfer John Diarse.

At H-back is KaVontae Turpin, who caught eight touchdown passes a year ago as a freshman, including a Big 12-record four by a freshman in a game (against Texas).

The specialists are kicker Jonathan Song and punter Adam Nunez, replacing four-year starters Jaden Oberkrom and Ethan Perry.

Turpin is listed as the punt and kickoff returner, with Desmon White as the backup punt returner and Hicks as the backup kickoff returner. Matt Boggs is the snapper, and Zach Allen returns as the holder.

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 11:43 AM with the headline "Hill, Sawyer even on first TCU depth chart after spring practice."