In 2014, a 13-year-old Ken Seals told the Star-Telegram about his long-term football goal.
“My dream is to play for the Horned Frogs one day,” Seals said.
That dream will come true Tuesday when the senior quarterback from Azle makes his first and only start for TCU against No. 16 USC in the Alamo Bowl at 8 p.m. in San Antonio (televised on ESPN). Seals got the opportunity after starter Josh Hoover announced his intention to enter the transfer portal.
The Star-Telegram first wrote about Seals in July 2014 when he won the National Football Academy Quarterback Competition in Ohio, beating 200 competitors from 40 states.
He was preparing to attend Azle Middle School after he passed for 1,202 yards and 27 touchdowns and ran for 1,520 yards and 21 touchdowns for his undefeated youth league team.
Seals began his high school career at Azle, starting for the Hornets as a freshman. He transferred to Weatherford, but had to play on the junior varsity as a sophomore because the District 3-6A executive committee decided he switched schools for athletic purposes.
Seals took over at Weatherford as a junior and committed to Vanderbilt before his senior season.
After starting 22 games over four seasons with the Commodores, Seals transferred to TCU before the 2024 season. He played sparingly behind Hoover, but Seals will get his time in the spotlight Tuesday.
Here are some photos from Seals’ long journey to the Alamo Bowl:
Ken Seals, 13, works out at Timber Creek High School on July 25, 2014. He had just won the National Football Academy Quarterback Competition in Ohio. Richard W. Rodriguez Star-Telegram
Ken Seals, 13, works out at Timber Creek High School on July 25, 2014. He was preparing to attend Azle Middle School. Richard W. Rodriguez Star-Telegram
Azle quarterback Ken Seals (looking to the right) during the national anthem in 2016. Paul Moseley pmoseley@star-telegram.com
Azle quarterback Ken Seals keeps the ball in the first quarter against Grapevine in 2016. Paul Moseley pmoseley@star-telegram.com
Quarterback Ken Seals passes during Weatherford’s spring football game on May 22, 2017. Rodger Mallison Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Four-star QB recruit Ken Seals with then-Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley. Seals will start for TCU against Riley’s USC team in the Alamo Bowl on Tuesday in San Antonio. Robert Seals Courtesy
Weatherford quarterback Ken Seals looks for an opening against L.D. Bell on Nov. 9, 2018, at Pennington Field in Bedford. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Weatherford quarterback Ken Seals is pressured by L.D. Bell defensive lineman Mark Hernandez on Nov. 9, 2018, at Pennington Field in Bedford. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
Weatherford’s Ken Seals scrambles on a broken play in the first half against Haltom on Oct. 3, 2019, in Weatherford. David Kent Special to the Star-Telegram
Daniel (left) and Ken Seals played on varsity together for one season for the playoff-bound Weatherford Kangaroos. Robert Seals Courtesy
Vanderbilt quarterback Ken Seals drops back to throw during the first half against Auburn on Nov. 4, 2023, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. Johnnie Izquierdo Getty Images
TCU quarterback Ken Seals runs through a drill during the first spring practice on March 23, 2024. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
TCU quarterback Ken Seals celebrates after catching a touchdown pass on a fake field goal in the spring scrimmage April 27, 2024, at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
TCU quarterback Ken Seals (19) celebrates with running back Jeremy Payne after Payne’s 30-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against Arizona on Nov. 23, 2024, at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Ron Jenkins Getty Images
TCU quarterback Ken Seals warms up before a game against West Virginia on Oct. 25, 2025, in Morgantown, W.Va. Brien Aho Getty Images
This story was originally published December 30, 2025 at 12:18 PM.
Jim Barnes is the Star-Telegram’s sports editor. A Fort Worth native and graduate of Castleberry High School, he returned to Texas after 13 years at the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He previously was sports editor of the Waco Tribune-Herald and a freelance high school sports reporter for The Dallas Morning News.
