‘Baylor, Baylor, Baylor.’ TCU’s Chandler Morris out to prove he’s not a one-hit wonder
Chandler Morris is tired of hearing about how great he played in his first career start against Baylor last season.
Morris became an overnight sensation, accounting for 531 yards of offense (461 passing, 70 rushing) and earned Big 12 offensive player of the week honors in TCU’s stunning 30-28 victory over the then-No. 12 Bears. That happened to be TCU’s first game in the post Gary Patterson era.
“It was a big game for us, but I’m honestly tired of hearing about the Baylor game,” Morris said on Thursday. “They see me and it’s Baylor, Baylor, Baylor. I’m ready to go show what I can do each week. Putting it behind me and use it as confidence, but let’s keep rolling.”
Well, Morris is out to prove he’s more than a one-hit wonder this spring. He had another impressive day Thursday, going a perfect 4-for-4 passing during the team portion of practice.
Morris had consecutive plays in which he hit Taye Barber for a touchdown. The first was a corner route and then Barber broke open on a post route. Morris also had completions to Gunnar Henderson and Geor’Quarius Spivey during the team portion.
As well as Morris has played at times this spring, he’s yet to separate himself from senior Max Duggan. Both remain in a tight quarterback competition.
Other takeaways from Thursday’s practice, which was the 11th of 15 this spring:
▪ Andrew Coker started the team portion at left tackle. TCU’s coaching staff likes to cross-train linemen at multiple positions but Coker may emerge as the best option on the left side. He’s open to changing positions, too, as he told the Star-Telegram last week.
▪ Along with Coker at left tackle, the first O-line also featured Steve Avila at left guard, Alan Ali at center, Brandon Coleman at right guard and Michael Nichols at right tackle. The linemen shuffled throughout the practice, though.
▪ Cornerback Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson didn’t practice Thursday. He was limited during Tuesday’s practice with a lower body injury. With Hodges-Tomlinson out, Noah Daniels and Kee’yon Stewart received first-team reps at cornerback. Stewart worked with the first-team opposite Tomlinson early in Tuesday’s practice.
▪ Stewart had a nice interception during goal-line drills. The Frogs’ secondary seems to have improved in the takeaway department this spring.
▪ Linebacker Marcel Brooks received some first-team reps on defense Thursday. He continues to impress this spring and show flashes of why he was a five-star prospect coming out of Flower Mound Marcus.
▪ Third-string quarterback Sam Jackson appears to be getting more comfortable staying in the pocket. His tendency is to use his legs to make something happen but acknowledged that offensive coordinator Garrett Riley has preached the importance of pocket awareness.
▪ Sophomore defensive lineman Jaquaze Sorrells batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage during the team portion.
▪ Practice ended on a positive note from the offensive side. True freshman quarterback Josh Hoover hit Blair Conwright for a touchdown, ending practice a little earlier than normal. The Frogs will be back on the field Friday as they’ll have Easter weekend off.
This story was originally published April 14, 2022 at 3:47 PM.
