Are TCU Horned Frogs Cut Out for Big 12?

Offense

If TCU is going to make any improvements this year, it better have a better offense, and if that’s going to happen, Patterson needs to name a quarterback. The competition is apparently down to junior Trevone Boykin, who has been in the system for two years already, and Texas A&M transfer Matt Joeckel, who has one last go-around in college football. This is the cliche debate between and superb athlete playing the position in Boykin and and drop-back passer in Joeckel. Because of their different styles, two quarterbacks might work, but if Patterson is thinking long-term, he should go with Boykin. Despite the starter, the quarterback play should definitely be better than last year with Casey Pachall gone.

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Junior running back B.J. Catalon is back to start at running back after 5.3 yards per carry last year but only 569 yards. However, with more reps he should be very good. Boykin, meanwhile, will also add to the running game obviously and create a major threat, and junior running back Aaron Green is also valuable after 232 yards last year. Patterson also has three freshmen at the position two of whom were 4-star recruits, to provide depth and possibly even start. Altogether, the running game should be utilized more this year and be better.

At receiver, nobody played a huge role or stood out last year, so the loss of LaDarius Brown’s 393 yards is nothing. Junior Josh Doctson is the leading receiver from last year with 440 yards and 4 touchdowns, and at 6’4″ 190 pounds he’s perfect for Booker’s style, and he’ll be very used to getting Joeckel acclimated. David Porter was equally as good after 435 yards and 5 touchdowns and will line up on the other side. After that, Patterson has five receivers with experience in the system he can plug in and two other highly recruited players who haven’t seen any action yet. Add in highly recruited freshman tight end Charlie Reid, and you have a unit that should be much better than last year and has a chance to show much more productivity with improvement and more consistency in the passing game.

Nov 30, 2013; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver David Porter (14) and wide receiver Brandon Carter (3) and running back B.J. Catalon (23) celebrate a touchdown against the Baylor Bears during the game at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The Bears defeated the Horned Frogs 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

On the offensive line, guard Eric Tausch will be missed after being the most experienced player, and left tackle James Dunbar is a pretty big loss too. But Juniors Aviante Collins and Joey Hunt return from last season. Collins is a two-year starter who took a major step back last season but should return to form this year, and Hunt should be better after his first full year starting. Junior tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai and senior tackle Tayo Fabuluje also have plenty of experience and will be regulars in the rotation, standing at 6’6″ 308 pounds and 6’7″ 315 pounds respectively. Junior guard Jamelle Naff and sophomore center Patrick Morris both have starting experience as well and could provide depth, while Naff will likely be in the regular rotation and should be fine. Junior college transfer Frank Kee could also have a major role on the line, as could juniors Bobby Thompson and Brady Foltz. Add two freshmen in Matt Pryor and Ty Barrett and you have a very deep line that should be more experienced and skilled than it was last year.

The offensive unit will need a quarterback, but it’s almost a given that whoever starts will be better than the quarterback play last year. With that in mind and the acknowledgement of more experience everywhere else, it’s easy to see that this offense should be much better this year, which is a major step in getting back to winning. Continue to Next Slide for Defense