TCU’s Patterson says Hill’s ability shows on practice field

Gary Patterson joked at a luncheon Thursday that Kenny Hill is going to be the best scout team quarterback he’s ever had.

But the TCU coach was not kidding when he evaluated the former Southlake Carroll and Texas A&M quarterback, who is sitting out this season after transferring, but is in line for the job next year to succeed Trevone Boykin.

“Getting that kind of quarterback throwing against your defense, being able to run — because he can really run — having a guy that can run the read option, you’re not going to find one that’s any more athletic when you do those kinds of things than he is,” Patterson told reporters after his talk to the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

Patterson said Hill is doing well with the off-season work and that the August workouts, which start in two weeks, will provide the most valuable practice time for him.

“When you get into a game week, you’re only going to throw five minutes versus your No. 1 defense or No. 2 defense,” Patterson said.

Hill threw for a school-record 511 yards in the season opener a year ago for A&M, but was benched for poor play after a 5-0 start, was suspended for rules violations and released from his scholarship after the season.

Boykin said Monday at Big 12 Media Days that Hill is starting to “become one of the guys” and is earning a second chance with the Horned Frogs.

“He’s doing good, learning the offense,” Boykin said. “He’s pretty chill. He’s level-headed, too. People make mistakes. You learn from them, you move on. Either you get better from it or you get worse, and I feel like he’s one of those guys who’s learned from his mistakes, and he’s gotten better from it.”

Freshman starters

Patterson said there are freshmen who have a chance to push for jobs as starters because of how far they came along in the spring and summer, particularly on defense.

“We were watching cut-ups, from the first of the spring to the end, and we really came a long way defensively,” Patterson said. “We’ve got some freshmen that I think will add to this scenario, that will give us depth and maybe push to be a starter.”

Practices open Aug. 5 for the Horned Frogs. The season opener is Sept. 3 at Minnesota.

“When you can come in in June and July and you can get two months of lifting, it’s almost like a redshirt fall,” Patterson said. “And then you go through August and all the football that you get a chance to get accomplished. Freshmen, if they’re smart and they also have ability, they have a chance to play early.”

The post-spring depth chart listed one freshman, linebacker Mike Freeze, as a starter.

Injury updates

Cornerback Torrance Mosley is rehabbing a groin injury suffered two weeks ago, but should be ready for the start of camp, Patterson said.

Mosley is listed as a starter at cornerback, along with Ranthony Texada. Corry O’Meally and DeShawn Raymond are listed behind Mosley.

Receiver Deante Gray is on schedule in his recovery from a knee injury, Patterson said. “Sometimes it’s more up here,” the coach said, pointing to his head. He was noncommittal about Gray’s return date. “I don’t want to tell Minnesota,” he said.

This story was originally published July 23, 2015 at 2:38 PM with the headline "TCU’s Patterson says Hill’s ability shows on practice field."