Four storylines to watch during TCU football preseason camp

Tuesday marks the official start of the football season for TCU as the Horned Frogs begin training camp.

Following a disappointing 5-7 campaign in 2023, there’s both pressure and optimism that 2024 will be a much different season. Part of the reason is this team won’t deal with the weight of trying to follow up national title run.

“I think comparing that natty year to last year, I think we got caught up with all the lights and the pressure,” safety Abe Camara said Monday at a team press conference. “Everybody wanted us to repeat and go back again. We wanted it, the whole TCU community wanted it, but I think we got caught up in it and then lost sight of it.”

The focus is much simpler for TCU: Be more competitive and reach a bowl game in 2024. In order to do that and maybe more, then are four pressing questions that the Horned Frogs must answer during fall camp:

Will Hoover take the next step?

After missing the entirety of spring practice, all eyes will be on the progression of quarterback Josh Hoover. The redshirt sophomore showed flashes filling in for Chandler Morris with more than 300 yards passing in five starts along with 15 touchdown passes and two more on the ground. Players and coaches continue to rave about Hoover’s intangibles behind the scenes as he’s been consistent in bringing returning players and new transfers together.

Hoover’s confidence was evident at Big 12 media days along with his eagerness to get back on the field. Hoover’s teammates say he pushed himself during his rehab and one of the TCU’s top receivers believes he’s already taken a step in his development.

“Hoover had a great summer,” receiver JP Richardson said. “He’s feeling as good as ever. He said he’s feeling quicker on his feet, so hopefully we’ll get to see him run around a bit and test that theory out.”

Can the defense continue to dominate?

Andy Avalos’ new defense was the talk of the spring with its aggressive style of defense being a stark difference from the 3-3-5 defense of former coordinator Joe Gillespie. The 4-2-5 formation fit well with the roster as the Horned Frogs had more athleticism and speed on the field during spring.

“I love this style of defense,” defensive lineman Nana Osafo-Mensah said. “Especially with Coach Avalos, he’s a high energy guy, a guy that wants to get after the quarterback, a guy that wants to stop the run easily.”

However, the offense was limited without Hoover and multiple scholarship receivers like JoJo Earle and Dylan Wright. Most of those players will be ready to go at the start of training camp, so how will the defense, especially the cornerbacks, match up with a fully healthy offense?

The Horned Frogs return Avery Helm as a starter and transfers JaTravis Broughton and LaMareon James had strong springs along with sophomore Vernon Glover. Who will emerge as the top two corners for the Horned Frogs?

New look offensive line

After the unit took a step back in 2023, TCU hit the transfer portal hard to bring in reinforcements. One of the biggest additions was Florida State transfer Bless Harris, a senior tackle that started five games for the ACC champion Seminoles last season. With the loss of Brandon Coleman and Andrew Coker, there was a pressing need for an experienced tackle which Harris was more than eager to fill.

Mike Nichols and Ben Taylor-Whitfield could battle for the other tackle spot. On the interior the Horned Frogs added James Brockermeyer from Alabama, Cade Bennett from San Diego State, Texas A&M transfer Remington Strickland and Louisiana Tech transfer Carson Bruno. Sorting out the rotation will be priority No. 1 for offensive line coach A.J. Ricker. In the spring, the defensive line won more of the battles but the fall will be a chance for the group to even the score.

Does TCU have a star skill player?

One reason the Horned Frogs were able to make a run to the national title game in the 2022 season is due to elite talent on the perimeter and in the backfield. Quentin Johnston was a first round pick while Kendre Miller was drafted in the third round. Derius Davis was the best return specialist in the country as well.

The Horned Frogs had a lot of speed on paper, but weren’t nearly as dynamic with the exception of Emani Bailey, who is now pursuing the NFL as an undrafted free agent. Who will be TCU’s go-to option this season? Savion Williams has all the measurables to be a high draft pick and his 164-yard performance against Texas last season showed his vast potential.

TCU landed one of the best receivers in the portal in Eric McAlister, who had 873 yards and five touchdowns in just nine games for Boise State last season. He could be the ideal receiver to pair on the outside with Williams while the Horned Frogs know what they have in the slot with the reliable JP Richardson.

At running back, there will be a ton of pressure on sophomore Cam Cook to cement his status as the starter after finishing spring practice with a number of explosive practices.