Why Josh Hoover’s intangibles make the TCU QB one of the nation’s best
TCU quarterback Josh Hoover is one of the top returning signal callers in the country after setting a single-season program record for passing yards in his first full season as a starter.
Last season Hoover showcased impressive arm strength, a willingness to attack downfield and the ability to make quick and fast reads while processing the game.
All are strengths for Hoover, but Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes says Hoover’s strongest attribute isn’t a physical trait.
“When you sit down and say what makes a great quarterback, I’m not so sure that the most important quality isn’t the innate ability to make people around you better,” Dykes said Wednesday at Big 12 Football Media Days. “I think that’s what Josh does better than anybody.”
Dykes said Hoover compares favorably physically to some of the best quarterbacks he’s developed over his career like Jared Goff, but it’s Hoover’s intangibles that really set him apart.
“He throws the ball as well as anybody I’ve ever coached and I’ve been fortunate enough to coach some good ones,” Dykes said. “The No. 1 overall pick, a Super Bowl MVP (Nick Foles), guys like that have gone on and had a lot of success at the next level.
“He’s right there in terms of his ability to throw the football. His most important and best characteristic is who he is. He brings out the best in people, he’s incredibly unselfish. The guys love him and respond to him, they know he cares more about them than he does himself. That’s pretty special at his position.”
Family helped create mold
Hoover’s mindset and deep admiration for TCU is refreshing in a college football landscape that is becoming more transactional each year.
The junior quarterback credits his parents, Alex and Tammy, for helping to mold his leadership style.
“I think that’s just how I’ve been,” Hoover said. “My parents are that, my dad is a really encouraging guy and I think I’ve just always tried to encourage people and be an uplifter to bring the most out of guys. That’s something I’ve always loved, something I’ve always tried to do and I think that’s something I developed during my time here.”
Hoover’s on the field progression has been just as steady as his maturation as a leader. He attempted just one pass in 2022 before he was thrust into the starting lineup in 2023 for an injured Chander Morris.
His record-breaking season got off to a rocky start with TCU sitting at 3-3 in large part due to his inability to protect the football and the lack of a run game to alleviate the pressure on him.
But in the final seven games of the season Hoover had five games with a passer rating over 150 as he finished the year with 3,949 yards, 27 touchdowns, 11 interceptions while completing 67% of his passes.
It was as strong a season as one could have asked for, but Hoover knows there’s another level he can reach and he’s determined to make that leap. Not just for himself, but for the sake of a team that has expectations of reaching the Big 12 championship game.
“I feel more comfortable than I ever have, I feel some things really clicked this spring in terms of decision-making and operating the offense,” Hoover said. “Just getting our team in position to be successful, I think that’s what it’s going to take to lead our team to the Big 12 championship.”
Face of the program
Hoover is the face of the program now and is taking a more active role in game planning with Dykes and offensive coordinator Kendal Briles.
Hoover said he felt empowered after the spring as both coaches leaned on him for his input in building the offensive strategy for this season.
“I think we found some things that I’m comfortable with that fit my game,” Hoover said. “I think we’re going to really hone in on those things going forward and this season I’m really confident in what we’re doing because of the back half of (last season) and we found some more things this off-season that I like. It’s going to really transfer and be good for us.”
There are question marks on offense like who will emerge as the leading rusher and how will TCU replace two NFL receivers, but Hoover provides a level of comfort and confidence that those answers will be figured out.
For Dykes, his main task is making sure that Hoover is supported on both sides of the ball.
“I think he’s going to have a big year,” Dykes said. “I think the thing that is going to make him more successful is he believes in the supporting cast. He believes in what we’re doing from a scheme standpoint, I know he believes we’re going to be better defensively and that takes more pressure off of him. He doesn’t have to go out there and score 40 or 50 points to win. We’re not going to have to do that.”
“When you know that as a quarterback that takes a lot of pressure off. It allows you to go out and perform and do your job and not try to do too much. I think he’ll take a big step and continue to progress and continue to be one of the elite quarterbacks in college football.”
This story was originally published July 10, 2025 at 5:50 AM.
