‘He has a swagger.’ Downing brings competitiveness, smarts to QB position at TCU
Former TCU offensive tackle David Bolisomi believes the program is in good shape with Matthew Downing expected to become the starting quarterback.
Downing has been working with the first team for the majority of training camp with projected starter Max Duggan out indefinitely with an undisclosed medical condition. Coach Gary Patterson acknowledged Thursday night that Duggan is not expected to be ready for the start of the season, and the team is moving forward with Downing as the No. 1 quarterback.
As far as Bolisomi is concerned, Downing impressed whenever the two were running practice reps together.
“He’s definitely an outspoken guy. Very confident,” Bolisomi said. “And he has a swagger to him. There’s no doubt if he’s put in that [starting QB] role that he will excel.”
Patterson offered similar comments, but didn’t expand much on Downing after breaking the Duggan news to a select media contingent. After all, Patterson likes to remain mum on certain players so he avoids “telling my opponents everything.”
Patterson repeatedly used the word “competitor” when describing Downing. Downing’s brother Michael played in the program as a walk-on safety from 2015-17, and he’s now a graduate assistant on the coaching staff.
“The biggest thing is he’s a competitor, just like his brother that played here,” Patterson said. “He’s smart, understands the offense and he’s a competitor.”
Outside of that, not much is known about Downing. He’s a redshirt sophomore who is listed at 6 feet, 205 pounds and joined the program as a walk-on last season.
Downing practiced well enough to move ahead of former top prospect Justin Rogers on the depth chart, Patterson confirmed, but Downing never saw game action. The Horned Frogs had a crowded quarterback room in 2019 with Duggan, Alex Delton and Mike Collins taking the QB snaps.
Still, Downing showed enough for Patterson to put him on scholarship in January.
Looking back on Downing’s journey to TCU, it’s easy to see his competitive nature and underdog mentality. This is a guy who didn’t even have a ranking by the recruiting website 247Sports coming out of Alpharetta (Georgia) High School.
It wasn’t like Downing didn’t impress in high school, either. He threw for 2,659 yards with 24 touchdowns and five interceptions his senior season. He also rushed for 386 yards and three TDs in earning the Region 7, Class 6A offensive player of the year honors.
Downing ended up walking on at Georgia and played his way up to third-string QB as a true freshman, backing up Jake Fromm and Justin Fields in 2018. Downing played in four games, completing eight of 10 passes for 88 yards.
Downing then decided to join TCU’s program and, a season later, he’s in line to be the starting quarterback when TCU opens against SMU on Sept. 12 at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Downing has stuck around while the program has seen others depart of late, including 2018 opening-day starter Shawn Robinson, Collins and Rogers. Matthew Baldwin, Duggan’s projected backup early on this offseason, ended his playing days this summer with persistent injuries.
Now, three weeks before the season opener, Downing finds himself at the right place at the right time. And he continues to make a favorable impression within TCU’s football offices.
“Downing has been the guy who’s been taking all the one reps,” Patterson said, “so he keeps getting better and better.”
This story was originally published August 21, 2020 at 1:16 PM.
