Is TCU football seeing any QB separation early on in spring practices?
Sonny Dykes doesn’t have a target date for a quarterback to emerge as the “guy” for TCU football.
Maybe it will happen at some point this spring. Maybe it will happen during fall camp. At some point, though, one of the quarterbacks will separate themselves.
“The funny thing about that, and I always say this, you wake up one day and come to practice and work and everybody kind of knows who it is,” Dykes said. “You just kind of know. It happens naturally and kind of organically. The players typically know before the coaches do. They just kind of know who everybody believes in and has confidence in.
“You see it when you start doing scrimmages. One guy moves the team better than the other and does it consistently. Then you go, maybe this or maybe that or maybe this. The next scrimmage he does it again and the next scrimmage he does it again and you have your guy. We’re a long way from that happening right now, but the good thing about it is I really do see a difference in Day 4 than I saw in Day 1.”
Through four of 15 spring practices, TCU is splitting first- and second-team QB reps between senior Max Duggan and redshirt freshman Chandler Morris. An objective observer would likely peg Morris as the early favorite but both have shown flashes.
During Tuesday’s team reps, Duggan went 5-of-7 passing (unofficially) with his two incomplete passes being a dropped ball and a batted pass at the line of scrimmage. Morris went 6-of-7, completing his first six pass attempts. Morris also made a couple of nice plays with his legs.
Redshirt freshman Sam Jackson and true freshman Josh Hoover are the other quarterbacks seeing action during the team portion. Jackson went 3-of-4 passing Tuesday, while Hoover was 3-of-5.
“I was really impressed with all four guys today who got team reps. They all made plays,” Dykes said. “The biggest issue at that position is you’ve got to be a guy that down in and down out does it. If the receiver is open, you’ve got to get him the ball. You’ve got to check a protection and get them in the right check. You’ve got to throw the ball on time. You have to do all the little things that give you a chance to be successful. Then you have to make some plays back there.
“All of those things are probably more important playing that position than how far a guy can throw the ball, or how fast he can run, or how high he can jump. That’s what we’re trying to get to — that consistent level of play.”
Other takeaways from Tuesday’s practice:
▪ O-line impressing. Dykes said one of the pleasant surprises early on in camp has been the offensive line, specifically naming center/guard Steve Avila and right tackle Andrew Coker as two players who have impressed.
“I really like their toughness,” Dykes said of the O-line. “I think they’re a physical bunch and I’ve been really impressed with that.”
Marcus Williams has been starting with the first-team O-line at left tackle, but Michael Nichols is getting some first-team reps at that position too. Brandon Coleman is working as first-team left guard with Avila at center, John Lanz or Alan Ali at right guard, and Coker at right tackle.
▪ RB watch. TCU lost leading rusher Zach Evans this offseason, but the Frogs appear to be OK on the running back front. Kendre Miller is starting off with the first-team and has played well. So has Daimarqua Foster, who looks healthy and broke loose for a long run during team drills Tuesday. Another RB of note is Emani Bailey, a transfer from Louisiana who could play himself into an expanded role.
▪ Spivey shines. Tight end Geor’Quarius Spivey had a solid day Tuesday, making two catches. The highlight was pulling down a pass over the middle and hanging onto it following a good “thud” during team drills.
▪ Same D-line. The Frogs have run with the same first-team defensive line all spring with Terrell Cooper at right end, Soni Misi at nose tackle and Dylan Horton at left end.
▪ Recruiting front. A couple of notable recruits attended Tuesday’s practice in 2023 offensive lineman Andre Cojoe out of Mansfield Timberview and 2024 quarterback Walker White out of Little Rock (Arkansas) Christian Academy.
This story was originally published March 29, 2022 at 1:20 PM.
