TCU football ‘fundraising’ to fend off suitors for quarterback Josh Hoover
TCU football was able to fend off a push from Tennessee last summer to keep quarterback Josh Hoover in Fort Worth, but will the Horned Frogs be able to do it again?
Despite the transfer portal not opening until Jan. 2, TCU head coach Sonny Dykes said Tuesday that teams are already coming after Hoover.
“They’re coming for him right now,” Dykes said. “That’s why I’m fundraising.”
Hoover could be an attractive option in the portal after throwing for 3,472 yards, 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions this season while posting a 73.2 in ESPN’s Total QBR metric, which ranks 27th in the country.
Hoover also set TCU’s single-season passing record in 2024 with 3,949 yards, 27 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He didn’t take the leap many expected this season, but was still one of the most productive quarterback in the nation.
A source with knowledge of Hoover’s process told the Star-Telegram that at this time the junior is only planning on submitting his name to the college advisory committee, which evaluates underclassmen and advises them on their NFL draft prospects.
It’s considered a weak quarterback class, but Hoover’s best option may be to return to college for his senior season.
There are some rumblings that Tennessee could swing back around to go after Hoover as the Volunteers will need to replace Joey Aguilar, whom Tennessee brought in to replace Nico Iamaleava after Hoover turned the Vols down.
Dykes knows money will play a big factor in any decision to stay or go, but he’s hopeful the relationship cultivated with Hoover will pay dividends in retaining him for another season.
“In this world it’s not what have you done lately, it’s what have you done for me the last 30 seconds,” Dykes said. “It’s hard, but that’s why you have to have relationships. There’s a level of trust that develops when these kids are 17 years old and you start recruiting them. And when you tell them, hey, look, we’re gonna do something, and you do it.
“You guys start to build a relationship that’s built on trust and a belief. I think that still matters. You gotta sit down, and you gotta have a plan and present it to them and say how the plan is gonna work and how it’s gonna make you successful.”
TCU will begin practice for the Alamo Bowl against USC on Thursday. The Horned Frogs and Trojans will face off at 8 p.m. Dec. 30 on ESPN.
