How will TCU improve the run game? What can the Horned Frogs do to fix the issues up front? How will the poor results on the offensive line impact recruiting? We answer a few of these questions from our Facebook followers for this week’s Frog Mailbag! Below are the questions and answers we’re rolling with this week.
“Would you like to see Josh Hoover add himself to the run game via 6-8 designed runs?” — Richard Berry
I’ve been adament since last season that Josh Hoover needs to use his legs a little
more often. Not that he needs to be the same kind of runner as Jalon Daniels or other dual-threat quarterbacks, but imagine if he kept three or four read options himself to alleviate some pressure on the running backs? I think at times, Hoover has shown his ability to scramble for yards, but it’s been much more of a on-and-off ability rather than a consistent, game-to-game ability. All of that said, I have to believe part of the reason he doesn’t run as much is for protection from injury. Should Hoover go down, Ken Seals would take over and I’m not sure Seals is good enough to lead TCU the way Hoover can. I do like how Hoover has started to keep the ball on quarterback sneaks in short yardage, but I do think the Horned Frogs can benefit from sprinkling a few more read options or designed quarterback runs in.
“Are the issues along the offensive line due to talent level, experience, coaching, or some mixture of those?” — Michael Rudel
I think it’s a combination of all of those factors. Since TCU made the national championship game, all of Gary Patterson’s players (Steve Avila, Andrew Coker, Brandon Coleman, Wes Harris, etc.) have departed and this year, all five of the starters on the offensive line (Ryan Hughes, Cade Bennett, Coltin Deery, Carson Bruno and Ben Taylor-Whitfield) were recruited or signed by Sonny Dykes and his staff. Hughes and Bennett were both three-star players, while Bennett and Bruno were signed from G5 programs. I’ll go into more detail about the recruiting aspect of the O-line play in the next question, but there’s no question that this group should be experienced enough, especially at the center and guard positions, to play at least respectable Big 12 football. Moreover, this is the third season under offensive coordinator Kendal Briles and the fourth with offensive line coach AJ Ricker. I’ll be closely monitoring this group moving forward and if the offensive line continues to struggle, then I wouldn’t be surprised to see some major changes, roster or coaching-wise, when the season concludes.
“Will our school change their strategy on O line recruitment and somehow invest more NIL money to attract higher rated players?” — Rob Vaughan
I think this coming offseason could be the one where TCU heavily targets offensive linemen through the transfer portal. While the Horned Frogs have hit on transfers since Sonny Dykes took over (Alan Ali was an All-Big 12 First Teamer, while both Bless Harris and James Brockermeyer were All-Big 12 Honorable Mentions), the overall results have been mixed at best. Another reason I believe this is because TCU has actually recruited offensive linemen heavily at the high school level over the last three years. From 2023 to 2025, TCU signed 14 offensive line recruits, but two of those 2023 players (Brione Ramsey-Brooks and Narado Stoker) and one of those 2024 players (Mitch Hodnett) are no longer with the team. Moreover, only Ben Taylor-Whitfield (2023) and Ryan Hughes (2024) have earned significant playing time, meaning most of the team’s signees have not made a real impact. With the lack of success in developing high-schoolers, I have to think TCU will start turning to the portal.
