TCU football searching for answers along the offensive line
TCU doesn’t have a position group with more unknowns than the offensive line.
The Horned Frogs lost their top three tackles — Lucas Niang, Anthony McKinney and David Bolisomi — and their best interior lineman — Cordel Iwuagwu — to graduation. And they saw the unit’s position coach — Chris Thomsen — bolt for a job at Florida State.
TCU coach Gary Patterson acknowledged last week the group only has two or three players ready to play at a high level right now. Others are flashing potential under Jarrett Anderson, who moved back to being the program’s O-line coach when Thomsen left.
“We just need to keep growing up to be honest with you,” Patterson said. “You’ve got to find a way to get eight [O-linemen for the season]. We have two or three right now that can play at a high level. That’s it.”
Patterson singled out senior Austin Myers as a player who has stepped up at tackle, and sophomore Esteban Avila at center. Patterson confirmed that Avila has replaced Coy McMillon as the first-team center in camp. Avila is also getting reps at tackle.
McMillon started every game at center last season. But, if he’s replaced, that would mean every position along the O-line is being filled by a new face compared with last season.
McKinney started 11 of 12 games at left tackle, while Bolisomi and Niang both started six games at right tackle. Iwuagwu started every game at left guard. At right guard, Bolisomi started six games with Myers starting four and Quazzel White starting two. White started once at left tackle, too, in place of McKinney.
White is viewed as the favorite to become the starting right guard this season with Wes Harris at left guard and Avila at center. If Myers wins one of the tackle spots, the other is expected to come down to Colorado State transfer TJ Storment, JUCO transfer Brandon Coleman or redshirt freshman Andrew Coker.
Patterson is hopeful all four of the aforementioned tackles develop into reliable players this season.
“All four of those guys have got to grow up for us to be who we want to be,” Patterson said.
Outside of that, Patterson is excited about the future of the O-line. He raved about freshmen Garrett Hayes, Michael Nichols and Tyler Guyton.
“They’re not where they need to be right now, but I think they show great promise going into the future,” Patterson said. “All three of those guys have a chance to have a good camp.”
