How Josh Hoover is preparing for his first start against BYU
Josh Hoover’s first collegiate start wasn’t supposed to happen like this.
In an ideal world, the former Rockwall-Heath standout would take the reigns from Chandler Morris in a year or two. But college football isn’t a perfect world. It’s the world where the mantra of ‘next man up’ is a key philosophy for any successful program.
And for the second straight season that mentality will be tested as Morris will miss Saturday’s BYU game with a sprained MCL, an injury that could keep him for the next few weeks as well.
The time is now for the freshmen and it was admittedly a bittersweet feeling.
“I hate it for Chandler, obviously this isn’t the way you want to enter the starting role,” Hoover said. “I hate it for him, I hate he got hurt. But he’s been very supportive and for him to be the way, that’s just the kind of teammate he is.”
Morris’ support has made the transition easier for Hoover, who got some much needed experience against Iowa State when Morris went down.
Hoover showed flashes as went 11-of-19 for 119 yards and a touchdown, but he also threw an interception. The good and bad plays were a necessary step in his development.
“I think those last three drives I felt really comfortable and tried to settle in,” Hoover said. “It felt like I was just playing football again. The first drive didn’t go the way we wanted to and I threw the pick, but after that it felt we settled in and started executing the offense and I honestly felt really comfortable.”
Head coach Sonny Dykes had a similar assessment of his play.
“When he got into the game Saturday, he tried to force the ball down the field,” Dykes said. “Given the circumstances of the game and the fact that we were behind, that’s probably a throw he doesn’t make had that not been the situation. But I thought he played well once he settled in. I thought he did some good things and showed some poise.”
The biggest thing Hoover did Saturday and honestly what he’s been doing since a breakout spring practice is continue to earn respect across the locker room.
“I know our players have a lot of confidence in him,” Dykes said. “I think he’s got the players’ respect. I think the guys like him and are going to play hard for him.”
One of those players will be Jaylon Robinson, the Ole Miss transfer that’s earned the nickname Flash due to his speed.
At his best, Robinson could be the vertical threat to take the top off the opposing defenses and he thinks his skillset and Hoover’s is an ideal match.
“Hoover is a slinger, he likes the throw the ball down the field,” Robinson said with a smile. “I like Hoov.”
Hoover has different strengths then Morris which could lead to some small wrinkles in the offense. He’s not the runner Morris, or at least hasn’t shown it, but as Robinson alluded to Hoover is aggressive and accurate with his deep ball.
It’s been the one area the passing game has really struggled in and Hoover could be the key to unlocking that.
“My strengths are dispersing the ball and getting it to our playmakers and then getting it down field,” Hoover said. “I feel like we have a good opportunity to do that and hit some big plays down the field to the weapons that we have. We have some big downfield weapons and I think we need to utilize that. I’m excited about that.”
While more deep passes will certainly win over fans and teammates, Hoover understand the true key to that will be his intangibles and how gets the team to respond to adversity that is sure to come against BYU.
“I’ve had to take more of a leadership role,” Hoover said. “As far as film and preparation it’s been similar to what I was doing. I was trying to get ready to be the starter when I was the backup so in that aspect it hasn’t been a whole lot different. I’ve just been putting a little more time in with it being my first start and taking that leadership role.”
Dykes said he didn’t anticipate making major changes to the offense due to Hoover’s intelligence, but there will be some extra wrinkles added and Hoover will be involved in that process.
“We’ve got to focus in on the things that he likes and is good at,” Dykes said. “That’s been the big challenge offensively for us this week. No. 1 what can we execute consistently? No. 2 what is he comfortable with and what does he like? It’ll be a little bit of a moving target as we go through the week.
“But he’s really smart, it’s not like we’re going to have to limit what we’re doing. He knows what to do, but I think the biggest thing is to try to build the offense around what he likes and what he’s comfortable with.”
That collaborative process has helped Hoover and offensive coordinator Kendal Briles grow closer. Like the rest of the building, Briles has gone out of the way to make sure Hoover feels supported both emotionally and as a player.
“He’s just been like ‘just be you,’” Hoover said. “Execute the offense, you don’t have to do too much, just do what you do everyday. Let the guys around you go out there and make plays, I don’t have to go out there and do anything crazy. He’s been real complementary and encouraging, just trying to make sure we’re all good to go. I’m looking forward to it.”
He’s not the only one as there’s optimism Hoover can be the sparkplug to stop the two-game skid and TCU’s season from being a disappointment.
It’s a lot of pressure, but it’s the moment Hoover’s been dreaming of since he signed with TCU. The football in his hands now, what will he do with it?
This story was originally published October 11, 2023 at 9:30 AM.
