TCU Football: Can Horned Frogs finally level up?

Offense

Most pundits feel that rising sophomore Shawn Robinson will be the Frogs starting quarterback in 2018. Robinson will replace Kenny Hill who turned out to be quite the prolific player behind the center. Hill threw 23 touchdowns, ran five more and caught two touchdown passes himself in 2017. Robinson had a mediocre showing as a passer against Texas Tech with Hill out, but he did carry the ball well averaging 6.9 yards per carry on the season and throwing three touchdowns.

Robinson is challenged by Grayson Muehlstein, Penn transfer Michael Collins, and incoming freshman sensation Justin Rogers who could be the Frogs best quarterback prospect since Andy Dalton ran power read all over the Clemson Tigers what now seems like a lifetime ago.

Supporting Cast

The TCU offense only returns three full-time starters but Coach Patterson’s teams have never been that offensive driven. Three running backs split the load in 2017 with Kyle Hicks as the starter. Hicks ran for 637 yards and four scores a year ago with Darius Anderson and Sewo Ololinua combining to rush for 1,098 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. The running game will still be strong as Sonny Cumbie and Curtis Luper look to keep the quarterback as mobile option with a varied run game that gives the ball to receivers and backs alike.

Senior H-Back KaVontae Turpin is the leading returning receiver for TCU and he caught 41 balls for 394 yards and a touchdown last season. Jalen Reagor is the big play threat for the Frogs as he averaged 17.5 yards per catch while hauling in eight touchdown passes in 2017. Jaelan Austin averaged 16.1 yards per catch last season and returns to the starting line-up as well.

On the line, the Horned Frogs have three really good linemen that are proven commodities. The tackles are Lucas Niang and Anthony McKinney. Niang started last season and McKinney is a former four-star JUCO transfer. Left guard Cordel Iwuagwu returns to the front five as well.