TCU analysis: Takeaways and top performers from first football scrimmage

TCU football held the most physical and informative practice of the fall so far in its first scrimmage of camp Sunday.

The Horned Frogs battled for nearly two hours in the first full-tackle practice of camp and worked through various scenarios, including full-field drives, the two-minute drill and red zone offense.

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the scrimmage was the physicality displayed on both sides of the ball. Training camps aren’t as physical as they used to be, which can lead to bad tackling in the early weeks of a season.

There were hardly any missed tackles as the defense delivered a handful of powerful hits. There was also a healthy back and forth between the offense and defense.

Each unit of the offense scored at least one touchdown, and the defense generated a number of stops.

Here’s a look at some of the top performers and takeaways from the scrimmage:

TCU’s RB battle continues

TCU’s running back battle continues to revolve around senior Kevorian Barnes and sophomore Jeremy Payne for first-team reps.

Barnes took the majority of first-team reps again Sunday, and the physical setting of the scrimmage fit his skill set. It was the first time observers were able to see how tough it is to bring Barnes on the ground.

There was one sequence when TCU gave Barnes four straight carries in its heavy package, and Barnes picked up the first down on a fourth down. Barnes had another run where he trucked a defender and another where he eluded a tackle for loss in the backfield.

It wasn’t a flashy performance, but the staff clearly values Barnes’ ability to get downhill quickly and avoid negative plays.

Payne also had a good scrimmage and delivered the best run of camp when he took a carry nearly 50 yards, which set up the first touchdown by the second-team offense. Payne’s explosiveness is one reason he’ll certainly be no worse than the second or third running back off the bench.

Freshmen Nate Palmer and Jon Denman showed flashes throughout the scrimmage, but there’s still a small gap between those two and Payne and Barnes. Palmer is still an X-factor to watch after a great spring; he just hasn’t had the same amount of reps in the fall.

Horned Frogs special teams concerns?

It may officially be time to be concerned about TCU’s kicking game. The Horned Frogs had multiple miscues on special teams throughout the scrimmage.

The first came while the team was still in walk-throughs. The goal was to get the kicking team on the field as quickly as possible after an offensive play, but no kicker took the field, leading to frustration. When sophomore Kyle Lemmermann did finally get on the field, his first attempt was blocked by senior safety Bud Clark.

Lemmerman later had another field goal blocked by sophomore safety Kylin Jackson and missed a 34-yard attempt. It’s been a rough past few days for Lemmermann, but he still has plenty of time to bounce back.

Kylin Jackson makes his move

Speaking of Jackson, the LSU transfer continues to be a revelation at nickel safety, and he thrived during the scrimmage with his physical style of play. Jackson had multiple tackles for loss, including two hard hits on freshman receiver Ed Small on screens.

Jackson had a few more solid run stops as the scrimmage progressed. In the final stages, Jackson got his first meaningful reps with the first-team defense and looked like he belonged.

Jackson’s battle with senior Austin Jordan at nickel should be intriguing to watch in the final stages of camp. Jordan had a solid scrimmage, including a quarterback sack

Jacobe Hayes will play in season opener

True freshman wide receiver Jacobe Hayes continues to be camp’s biggest breakout star with another big performance during the scrimmage. On Saturday, head coach Sonny Dykes all but assured Hayes would play in the season opener against North Carolina on Sept. 1, even if just on special teams.

After a holding call moved the second-team offense back to a third-and-long, Hayes got the offense out of trouble as senior quarterback Ken Seals threw a beautifully placed post route to Hayes for a 30-yard touchdown. Hayes also got some reps in with the first-team offense and picked up a first down on a jet sweep.

With injuries to sophomore Jordyn Bailey and junior Major Everhart, there’s a window for the freshman to have a bigger-than-anticipated role early.

TCU fall camp quick hitters

The first-team defense had the edge against the offense, as junior quarterback Josh Hoover led just one scoring drive against the first unit. Hoover floated a 10-yard pass to Everhart for the starters’ lone touchdown during red zone drills. Everhart was injured on the play.

There was another drive where the offense could’ve scored, as senior Eric McAlister had a 47-yard reception to move the offense near the red zone.

As for the backup quarterbacks, Seals and freshman Adam Schobel had impressive moments. Along with his touchdown pass to Hayes, Seals also had a 22-yard scramble for a touchdown on fourth down.

Schobel threw a touchdown pass to his favorite target, freshman tight end Mason Peterson, for about 15 yards. Schobel had another pass that was almost intercepted by junior cornerback Jonah Martinez, but sophomore receiver Braylon James played defense and broke up the would-be interception to set up the score to Peterson.

At linebacker, TCU knows what it has with senior Namdi Obiazor, senior Kaleb Elarms-Orr and sophomore Max Carroll, but the Horned Frogs showed off their improving depth with solid performances by sophomore Michael Teason and freshman Anthony “Deuce” Williams. Teason will run with the second unit, while Williams has the best chance of the freshmen linebackers to play early.

TCU will return to practice Monday night.