TCU mailbag: Tackling Horned Frogs fans questions ahead of Colorado
TCU’s season opener vs. Colorado on Saturday is easily one of the biggest games on the Week 1 slate.
A national title runner-up versus Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders and a completely reshaped Buffaloes roster. We’ll dig more into what Coach Prime and Colorado could have in store for TCU later in the week, but there’s one more thing that needs to be taken care of first.
And that would be answering reader questions.
When TCU closed training camp on Aug. 20 ,I reached out to TCU fans for questions they’re curious about and received plenty. So we’ll tackle a few things in a final preseason TCU mailbag. We’ll keep the mailbag going during the season and remember if you have a question reach out to me on Twitter/X @StevenMJohnson_ or shoot me an email at stjohnson@star-telegram.com.
Now let’s get to it:
Is Damonic Williams ready to “take the next step” and be even better than he was as a true freshman last season? — Eric Sorenson
Based on fall camp I think Williams is certainly in a good spot to take a year two leap. In speaking with the media, Williams said he’s more confident and sure of himself after a standout freshman year. He said last year it mainly people pouring into him to build his confidence, but now his motivation and belief are internally driven.
I expect the defense as a whole to take a leap in 2023 and that’ll start up front with Williams.
Is Trey Sanders all the way back? Full time P5 SEC type RB ? And are the WRs being slept on by the public? — @NashVegas__
It depends on what you mean by back. I think this is the healthiest Sanders has been in a long time and he had good moments throughout training camp. However, the best running back during camp was Emani Bailey, by a good stretch. Even so, the former five-star is set for his biggest collegiate role after transferring to TCU from Alabama. Sanders should be a good secondary ballcarrier and could be a problem in the redzone.
As for receivers, the answer is yes. TCU’s receiver room is more talented than it was a year ago and that’s with losing Quentin Johnston, Derius Davis, Taye Barber and Jordan Hudson. To go with returner Savion Williams, TCU added Jaylon Robinson (Ole Miss), Jack Bech (LSU), Dylan Wright (Minnesota), JP Richardson (Oklahoma State), Warren Thompson (Arkansas) and a top-100 recruit in Cordale Russell. There’s no Johnston, but the room is more diverse and should make up for the losses with sheer numbers.
What is your ceiling and floor for this team? — @toocoldTCU
My official prediction has TCU going 10-2 with a New Year’s Six Bowl game so I think that’s the ceiling. As for the floor, unless something goes drastically wrong in non-conference play I don’t see the Horned Frogs going worse than 8-4. The early season schedule should allow TCU to build wins and confidence quickly. Assuming the team is healthy, it would be a disappointment for TCU to travel to Kansas State on Oct. 8 worse than 6-1.
Who do you think makes the biggest impact out of the WR room this year? — @covid694
First things first, my brother have you considered a new Twitter, I mean X, handle? As for your question, my money is on JP Richardson. He’s got the surest hands on the team, great size for a slot receiver and has shown the ability to stretch the middle of the field too. I think Richardson will lead TCU in receptions and yards while Savion Williams will have the most touchdowns.
Steven.....how big a drop off in the run game do you see? Compare the pass rush this year to last season? — Bill Wiggins
Anytime you lose a back like Kendre Miller and an offensive lineman like Steve Avila, there’s going to be some regression. However, I still think TCU is capable of having a 1,000 yard rusher in Emani Bailey. He doesn’t have the patience or the size of Miller, but Bailey is a super effective one-cut running back. His acceleration when he sees and then hits the hole is top notch. Remember he actually led the Big 12 in yards per carry in a small sample size.
Kendal Briles’ offenses always excel at running the ball, so TCU should be fine in that department.
The pass rush looks better to me than it did a year ago. It feels like there were more sacks during training camp than last year. I remember thinking how comfortable Max Duggan and Chandler Morris looked in the pocket during practices, but this year Morris has been forced out of the pocket a lot more. I think TCU is twitchier at key spots with guys like Paul Oyewale at defensive end now. I think TCU will be slightly better getting after the pass rusher.
How has Marcel Brooks looked? — @franks_hunter3
An official update on Brooks’ status could come this week, but he spent all of training camp in a red no contact jersey. He was able to participate some in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11, but it still seems like there’s another roadblock or two he needs to clear before he’s really back in the rotation. Brooks ran with the third team defense all camp, but still had moments where he flashes. TCU is still hopeful he provide value as a pass rusher.
How is the O-Line coming together?
TCU lost three starters in Steve Avila, Alan Ali and Wes Harris, but I think the Horned Frogs are in good shape up front. Jackson State transfer Willis Patrick has held onto the right guard spot since the spring while Maryland transfer Coltin Deery could be the starting center. Brandon Coleman and Andrew Coker are the two returning starters from 2022 and both had excellent training camps.
Coleman and Coker could form a nasty duo on the left side of the line. At right tackle Mike Nichols has returned from a season-ending injury and has been solid, if not for Nichols the Coleman-Coker duo probably wouldn’t happen. The only thing that really needs to be sorted out is center, where Deery and John Lanz could still be battling for the starting job.
As for the overall performance, I thought the line was solid throughout camp, but not as dominant as last year’s unit. There could be some regression, but that’s where Morris can help them out at. He has a quicker release and is a bit more decisive in the pocket than Duggan, who wasn’t afraid to hold onto the ball and take deep shots last season. Overall, TCU probably won’t have one of the best offensive lines in the country, but it should still be one of the better groups in the Big 12.
