Here’s our takeaways from TCU football’s opening-day depth chart
TCU football released its official depth chart on Wednesday. There were plenty of interesting takeaways as the Horned Frogs prepare to open the season against Iowa State on Saturday. Kickoff is at 12:30 p.m. at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Here’s a few depth chart takeaways:
▪ As expected, Matthew Downing is listed as the No. 1 quarterback. Downing will get the start, as Gary Patterson said Tuesday, but Max Duggan is available and an option to play. Stephon Brown, JUCO’s top-rated dual-threat QB in the 2020 class, is third-string. Patterson said this week that all three quarterbacks have packages in the offense.
▪ The biggest surprise may be at running back with junior Emari Demercado winning the opening-day nod. Demercado played in only four games last season, preserving a redshirt.
▪ But ... just because Demercado is listed as the starter, expect the Frogs to take a committee approach at running back early on. Redshirt freshman Darwin Barlow, listed as the backup, has received praise throughout training camp and Zach Evans is the program’s first five-star prospect.
▪ Speaking of Evans, he’s listed as a third-stringer along with Kendre Miller and Daimarqua Foster. You know who was third-string coming out of spring camp in 2019? Darius Anderson, who ended up leading the team in rushing last fall. Early-season depth charts might not mean much in the long run.
▪ With that being said, it’s still surprising to see highly-touted transfers such as JD Spielman and Marcel Brooks listed as backups. Spielman is listed as a backup to Taye Barber at the ‘H’ receiver and Brooks is listed as a backup linebacker and pass rusher. But Patterson raved about both as far as special teams contributions and, again, expect them to see plenty of snaps this season.
▪ No position group has more turnover than the O-line with TCU losing its top three tackles (Lucas Niang, Anthony McKinney and David Bolisomi) and top interior lineman (Cordel Iwuagwu) from last season. Austin Myers is listed as the left tackle with T.J. Storment serving as the backup. At right tackle, Andrew Coker is the starter over Brandon Coleman. The interior features Quazzel White at right guard, Esteban Avila at center and Wes Harris at left guard. Coy McMillon, who started every game at center in 2019, is Avila’s backup.
▪ The starting WRs are Dylan Thomas (X), Taye Barber (Y), Pro Wells (Y) and Blair Conwright (Z). Again, expect reps for receivers listed lower on the depth chart such as Spielman and highly-touted freshmen Quentin Johnston and Savion Williams.
▪ Defensively, there weren’t many surprises among the linebackers or secondary. Garret Wallow, the Big 12’s leading tackler last season, is the starting strong-side linebacker with Dee Winters winning the middle linebacker job. Trevon Moehrig, Ar’Darius Washington and La’Kendrick Van Zandt are the starting safeties and Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson and Noah Daniels are the starting linebackers.
▪ The D-line returns staples Ochaun Mathis at left end and Corey Bethley at defensive tackle. Terrell Cooper is listed as the other starting DT, although he’ll be a game-time decision on Saturday. Parker Workman is the starting right end.
▪ TCU is expected to use a rotation along the D-line, though. Other DTs on the depth chart include George Ellis, Soni Misi, Brandon Bowen and Jaquaze Sorrells, while backup ends include Colt Ellison, Dylan Horton, Khari Coleman and Brooks.
▪ No surprises among the specialists with Griffin Kell being the kicker, Jordy Sandy holding off Dillon Jones as punter and Antonio Ortiz serving as the long snapper. Spielman is listed as the top punt returner, while Tomlinson is the kickoff returner.
This story was originally published September 23, 2020 at 11:47 AM.
