TCU Football: Keys to the 2019 Season

As the Big 12 media days opened up, TCU has an experienced, talented team, but it also has some questions surrounding it for this season.

Last season, TCU had obvious QB and o-line issues. This season their defense becomes a concern after two of their star D-lineman were drafted in the first two rounds in the NFL draft.

They also saw the departure of one of their best linebackers in school history, Ty Summers, be drafted in the 7th round, so there are some holes across the board for the team to fix.

Defensive Line

The Horned Frogs lost two of their best playmakers along the d-line. Fortunately for them, they are getting superstar Ross Blacklock back from the injury that kept him out for all of the 2018 season. He will without a doubt be a huge addition to the d-line. South Carolina transfer, Shameik Blackshear, will also help out along the line.

Filling the massive shadows left by Banogu and Collier is going to be tough for Gary Patterson and his coaching staff, but TCU will still be in good shape along the d-line, thanks to the additions made in the off-season, along with the players returning from injury.

Linebacker

Ty Summers leaving as one of the best tacklers in TCU Football history is going to leave a massive hole. Luckily for TCU, Garrett Wallow is a tackling machine, and he should be able to slide in and take on some of the tackles that will be lost due to Summers going pro.

Offensive Line

Going into last season, the Horned Frogs were expected to have a lot of trouble with their offensive line, and it was hit or miss throughout the season. A year later, and a year more experience for everyone, and now TCU’s offensive line is looking like it’ll be a strength for this season.

Lucas Niang is the leader of the o-line, and he is likely going to increase his draft stock with another solid season at TCU, and he could find himself as a first round pick if he terrorizes opposing defensive lines for the Horned Frogs.

Place Kicker

Ever since the departure of perhaps the best kicker in Big 12 history, Jaden Oberkrom, the Horned Frogs have struggled mightily to find someone to fill his shoes. Since Oberkrom’s graduation in 2015, TCU has seemingly lost five or six games due to struggles with the kicking game.

Jonathan Song has struggled with injuries throughout his career. He will likely get the first chances at the PK job. When healthy, Song has been TCU’s best kicker since the departure of Oberkrom. If Song can stay healthy, TCU will likely find some stability in the kicking game.

Quarterback

Perhaps the biggest question mark on the team, the Horned Frogs currently have Justin Rogers (RS FR), Alex Delton (TR SR), Michael Collins (TR JR), Max Duggan (FR), and possibly Matthew Baldwin (TR SO) all competing for the starting spot.

Alex Delton, the K-State transfer, likely has the best chance at taking the first snap of the season, but given the competition, if he doesn’t look good, he could be supplanted by Rogers rather quickly.

Max Duggan seems like he has an outside shot, but will likely see limited time (if any), given that he is a true freshman, and could possibly take a red shirt year.

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Michael Collins started a few games for the Frogs last season, but didn’t really do much, outside of an awesome few drives he put together against Oklahoma. Collins will likely be more of a backup QB that will probably only play if Delton and Rogers really struggle. Duggan could also see playing time before him.

Matthew Baldwin, another transfer, from Ohio St., still has uncertainty surrounding his eligibility for this upcoming season, but from what others are saying, it is unlikely he will play this season.

In an Air-Raid offense like TCU, it is critical that they find good QB play. Even if they have the best defense in the Big 12 paired with terrific players on offense, bad QB play could give them another 6-6 season, and the chance to repeat as Cheez-It Bowl champs.

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If TCU can snag a QB that can bring them average or better play at QB (similar to what Kenny Hill did in 2017), the sky is the limit for the team. The Horned Frogs are a team that very will may thrive or die by how their quarter back play.

• Published on 07/17/2019 at 11:01 AM
• Last updated at 07/17/2019 at 02:24 AM