Why the matchup with Abilene Christian means a lot to this TCU offensive lineman
Saturday will be a special occasion for TCU offensive lineman Dylan Kinney.
Kinney, who transferred to TCU in April, will face his former team, Abilene Christian, in a matchup that will surely hit close to home.
“I’m excited to play those guys,” Kinney said Wednesday. “Those are my guys. I was there for three years, so excited to see them on Saturday. But at the end of the day, it’s just a game, and I always want to walk off the field victorious, so that’s what we got to do.”
Kinney was a key cog for the Wildcats as he started the first 12 games of 2024 at left tackle. Kinney helped Abilene Christian win the program’s first FCS conference title.
“Definitely meant a lot,” he said. “I mean, we had a banner on the wall, and we did something that nobody ever did before. So that was definitely pretty cool. You know, us guys last year have a different bond, because when you win a championship, it takes a lot. I keep in touch with all those guys.”
Dylan Kinney hits transfer portal
An injury sidelined Kinney for Abilene Christian’s playoff push, but the work he had done early in the season was enough to attract the eyes of TCU.
The Horned Frogs needed to add depth on the offensive line after losing Mitch Hodnett and starting center James Brockermeyer to the transfer portal after the 2024 season. TCU tabbed Kinney as the ideal prospect.
It was a life-changing opportunity that Kinney couldn’t turn down and one he hasn’t regretted.
“When I got around the guys and the coaches and they made me feel at home, it was a no-brainer choice,” Kinney said. “It was definitely a big jump, especially in the weight room, and nutritionally-wise. Those guys in sports performance, they take big pride in that. And so for me, I had to get with these people, guys, and figure out, what they believe in and start building my way to that.”
As for what his new TCU teammates should expect, Kinney made it clear Abilene Christian would come into Amon G. Carter Stadium hungry to upset one of the premier programs in Texas. The Wildcats nearly knocked off Texas Tech in Lubbock last season before falling 52-51 in overtime.
“Most people don’t understand for a team like that, when I was at that level, you get one opportunity to shine on the big stage,” Kinney said. “They’re excited, man. They definitely think it’s going to be Texas Tech part two, but we’re going to let them know that that’s that’s not happening.”
Kinney didn’t record a snap against North Carolina, but if TCU handles its business, the redshirt junior will have an opportunity for plenty of snaps against his former team.
