It’s been over two years since the last time Ken Seals started a college football game at quarterback.

His last opportunity to lead an offense came on Nov. 11, 2023, when he started for Vanderbilt against South Carolina. It’s been a long wait for Seals, but he’ll finally have his opportunity to be back under center in his final game as he’ll lead TCU (8-4) against No. 16 USC (9-3) in the Alamo Bowl at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Alamodome in San Antonio (televised on ESPN).

After two seasons of backing up Josh Hoover, who announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 18, Seals said he is grateful for the moment he’ll have Tuesday.

“I think there’s a different level of excitement that I have this round of preparation,” Seals said. “A guy like me who takes pride in their role, even as a backup. I tried to prepare like I was going to play in the game.

“It was always my thought process, like how unfortunate would it be if I actually got the opportunity that I wanted, got in the game, and then was disappointed in the way that I played because I didn’t prepare the right way. I think going through that process of preparation helps whenever it is your time, like it is now for me, and now that it’s here, I’m just excited.”

There are sure to be some nerves as Seals makes his first start for the team he grew up rooting for in Azle, but the veteran quarterback understands that he doesn’t need to carry the offense alone.

“What I’ve been telling myself is you don’t gotta be Superman, you don’t gotta go win the game,” Seals said. “I think if I get the ball into the guys’ hands that can make plays and can go be Superman, I think we will win the game. It’s my job as distributor in chief to make sure they get the ball in their hands enough.

“Guys like Eric [McAlister], guys like Jeremy Payne, Ed Small and Major Everhart, those guys need to have the ball in their hands so they can go make plays and score points.”

TCU has quickly rallied around Seals as he prepares for this big moment. He was already well-liked in the locker room, especially after he opted not to transfer during the offseason when he knew he wasn’t going to be the starter.

He never complained and maintained a professional approach as Hoover’s backup. His teammates and coaches took notice, and while it’s never ideal to lose a player like Hoover, there seems to be a level of joy permeating the program as Seals’ patience paid off in the end.

“Look, it’s hard not to like Ken Seals,” head coach Sonny Dykes said. “Ken has been the backup quarterback for a couple years for us. He’s probably my son’s favorite player. That tells you just what kind personality Ken’s got.

“He’s one of those players that there were times we got into fall camp and we thought he performed just every bit as well as our starting quarterback performed. It’s hard for him. When you’re the backup quarterback sometimes, especially when you’re older than the starter, it can be tough. It can be tough to practice at a high level, be mentally focused and go out there and give it your all every day when you know there’s not a great chance that you’re going to play. Ken never did that. He showed up every day. Had the best attitude.”

Seals having this moment is one of the many reasons Dykes believes that bowl games still matter even as more teams and players opt out of bowl games every postseason.

Without the Alamo Bowl, Seals wouldn’t have gotten this chance. Dykes said Seals is already looking like the player who started nearly two dozen games in the SEC.

“When he started getting a lot of reps, you could tell there was a little bit of rust,” Dykes said. “Some of the decision-making things were probably a little slower than you wanted it be. As he got more reps, he started to look like the starting quarterback.

“I’m thankful for him and his commitment to his teammates, what kind of person he is. Again, the guys have really rallied around him and they’re excited to play for him.”

This story was originally published December 30, 2025 at 4:15 AM.

Steven Johnson

Fort Worth Star-Telegram