TCU football preview: Will injuries impact the Horned Frogs’ secondary?
The TCU secondary is one of the most experienced positions on the team with a number of starters returning from last season led by team captain Bud Clark.
However, it’s also the one position that was hit hardest by injuries during training camp as projected starter Avery Helm and key reserve Vernon Glover Jr. sustained significant injuries that will keep them out indefinitely. Neither player was listed in the team’s depth chart against Stanford because of that.
The outlook isn’t completely bleak in the secondary thanks to an influx of transfers and the Horned Frogs could be in better shape than most would think. Here’s a look at the Horned Frogs’ cornerbacks and safeties ahead of Friday’s season opener at Stanford:
The starters
Cornerbacks: JaTravis Broughton, LaMareon James
Safeties: Abe Camara, Bud Clark, Jamel Johnson
Breakdown: Broughton and Jamers were two big pickups for TCU out of the transfer portal. Broughton started a plethora of games at Utah while James had a breakout season as a starter with Old Dominion. They have different styles as Broughton is a physical, pressing corner while James has elite ball skills from his time as a receiver in high school. Both had strong camps and even with the injury to Helm, TCU should feel good about its two starting corners.
At safety Camara and Clark have been key pieces on the defense since the run to the national championship game. Camara is playing nickel in TCU’s new defense which fits his aggressive play style that will allow him to be a factor in the run game and as a blitzer getting after the passer. Clark is starting at free safety and may be the best playmaker on defense. Clark has produced eight interceptions the last two seasons and embraced a bigger leadership role during camp which led to him being named a team captain.
Johnson was one of the surprises on the depth chart as he made a huge jump during training camp. The former Arlington Seguin star plays with an edge that led to him consistently making plays. Johnson’s consistency was one factor Sonny Dykes mentioned in Johnson getting the start against Stanford. Johnson is one of the many players from the 2023 recruiting class that will have big roles this season.
Next up
Cornerbacks: Channing Canada, Jevon McIver
Safeties: Jaise Oliver, Richard Toney Jr., Cam Smith
More names to know: Julian Knox, Devondre McGee, Kaden McFadden, Austin Jordan, Jordan Lester
Breakdown: Canada and McIver will be the next up in the cornerback rotation and both have experience. Canada appeared in every game for TCU including getting a start in the season finale against Oklahoma. Canada had an up and down training camp, but is still a solid depth piece. McIver was a first-team all-conference selection last season with Austin Peay with 12 pass breakups and a fumble. There didn’t seem to be any major adjustment period necessary for McIver moving up a level in competition.
At safeties, the entire second unit is made up of transfers. Oliver was brought in from Tulsa and started over 20 games for the Golden Hurricane. He’ll back up Camara at nickel and is a bigger body at the position. Toney arrived from Nevada and started nine games last season. Toney was limited at times during camp, but it seems like he’ll be available for Stanford. Smith and Johnson had one of the tightest position battles on the roster. In the spring Smith was arguably the top defensive player and looked like a for sure starter. Now he’ll come off the bench at least for the first game, but it’s a good sign of TCU’s depth when so many players that started elsewhere are the reserves.
Outside of Jordan, every other player in the final section is a freshmen. Knox and McGee could be thrust into bigger roles earlier than expected with Glover and Helm’s injury. They mostly ran with the third-team defense, so it’s still too early to say how ready they’ll be if their name is called, but both showed flashes. McFadden and Lester are two up and coming safeties that have earned positive reviews from their older teammates. Jordan is a former four-star recruit that transferred in from Texas this off-season looking for a bigger role.
Best case scenario: With a more aggressive pass rush, the secondary is able to make more plays and generate more turnovers. Broughton and James are able to successfully hold down the cornerback spots while Clark has another season with at least three interceptions, leading him to the NFL Draft. Johnson emerges as a future leader of the defense.
Worst case scenario: The Horned Frogs suffer another injury in the cornerback room leading to players being forced into a starting role when they’re not ready. TCU’s pass rush improves, but the secondary still allows too many big plays over the top as the Horned Frogs’ defense only takes a small step forward.
