TCU spring football is underway. Here are the Horned Frogs’ storylines.
TCU football started its spring practices Tuesday.
There’s plenty of optimism surrounding the Horned Frogs, who closed the 2020 season by winning five of their final six games. TCU was scheduled to face Arkansas in the Texas Bowl, but had to back out due to COVID-19 issues.
Now it’s on to the spring season and looking ahead to 2021. The Frogs return 18 starters (10 offensive, eight defensive) from last season. They’ll have 15 practices this spring with a “spring game” on April 17 at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Here’s five storylines to watch going into it:
Duggan’s growth
Quarterback Max Duggan didn’t have a spring season due to the pandemic, and was sidelined most of fall camp due to a previously unknown heart condition discovered through advanced COVID testing.
With that being said, Duggan took strides in some areas such as improving his accuracy and leading the team with 10 rushing touchdowns. With a full offseason and fall camp, Duggan should take another step forward in 2021.
He’s the unquestioned leader of this team.
Marcel Brooks, WR
Former five-star recruit Marcel Brooks had plenty of buzz when he transferred from LSU to TCU last offseason with many believing he’d be utilized in a variety of ways in Gary Patterson’s defense.
But Brooks battled injuries and played most of his snaps on special teams in six games. This offseason, Brooks has transitioned to the offensive side of the ball.
TCU will try Brooks out at wide receiver, a position he last played at Flower Mound Marcus in 2018. Brooks had 31 receptions for 635 yards as a receiver his senior season.
Improved O-line?
TCU’s offensive line received its share of criticism last season. No unit had more turnover than the O-line.
This year’s O-line brings back plenty of experience. Andrew Coker returns after starting most of the season at right tackle. Also back are guys who had multiple starts including Steve Avila, John Lanz, Wes Harris, Blake Hickey and Coy McMillon.
Even though he wasn’t with the program last season, TCU added a veteran and experienced left tackle in Memphis transfer Obinna Eze.
Along with that, TCU has young, promising players too such as Brandon Coleman, Garrett Hayes and Michael Nichols.
Linebacker corps
TCU lost its leading tackler from last season with Garret Wallow pursuing a professional career. Wallow was a safe bet to lead the team in tackles on a weekly basis.
Dee Winters shined alongside Wallow, though, finishing second on the team in tackles with 65. Winters is expected to play another significant role in 2021, although he is not expected to take part this spring.
Another linebacker, Jamoi Hodge, also could be limited this spring. Winters and Hodge are the two favorites to be the starting linebacker corps next season.
On the bright side, if they aren’t able to go through spring, it would give plenty of LB reps to others that will help build TCU’s depth at the position.
Staff changes
Doug Meacham served as the de facto offensive coordinator last season, taking over play-calling duties before the season from the since-departed Sonny Cumbie (Texas Tech). Meacham now has the official title.
Also added to the full-time staff is Kenny Hill as quarterbacks coach. Hill is young in age and coaching experience, but TCU feels it has surrounded him with veterans such as Jerry Kill and Tim Beck.
It will be interesting to see how this staff implements its plans with a full spring after last year was cut short by the pandemic. TCU started to see some of the changes made prior to 2020 pay off late in the season, particularly leading the Big 12 in rushing offense.
Kill has had strong rushing attacks throughout his career and successfully instilled those concepts at TCU.
This story was originally published March 16, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
