TCU Insider: Four major observations midway through spring football practice

TCU concluded practice No. 8 on Saturday and now the Horned Frogs are officially in the backend of spring football.

It’s been a productive stretch for the Horned Frogs, who have avoided major injuries and continue to see progress on both sides of the ball from new faces that are forced to step up.

Saturday was scrimmage day with most of practice dedicated to team action. It also happened in front of dozens of recruits as the sideline was full of prospects and their families.

With only a few practices left before the spring game, things are beginning to become clear about what the summer will entail for TCU and the roster. Here are four major observations from spring football:

Defense has had the edge

Big offensive plays have been few and far between this week as the defense continues to have the edge in 11-on-11 sessions. It should be expected with seven starters returning on Joe Gillespie’s defense and the Horned Frogs installing a new offense under Kendal Briles.

But you would still expect some more flashes with the talent TCU has offensively. On Saturday when the first team units were going at it, the Horned Frogs were held to a missed field goal after advancing close to the redzone. Quarterback Chandler Morris didn’t have a great day and had one stretch where he threw back-to-back passes with no receiver in the vicinity.

Defensively, Shadrach Banks and Damonic Williams continue to be two of the biggest standouts from spring camp. Banks delivered a number of big hits Saturday and looks to be leaner than last year’s playing weight. Williams is beginning to settle in as the leader of the defensive line. Paul Oyewale has emerged as a productive name at one of the defensive ends spots.

The offense scored two touchdowns when focusing on the red zone with both Emani Bailey and Corey Wren rumbling in for scores. But overall it was another day where the defense had the edge. Can the offense turn it around before the spring game?

TCU will add another quarterback

Based on conversations with sources and what we’ve seen from the quarterbacks so far, expect the Horned Frogs to add to the quarterback room post spring. TCU has just two scholarship quarterbacks with Morris and Josh Hoover. Morris is likely the starter for 2023.

Having only two scholarship quarterbacks would be tough for TCU as a minor injury could drastically impact the offense if the team was to stay put. There will be another wave of signal callers to enter the portal after the spring, so TCU will have some options to pursue.

The biggest question will be what kind of quarterback the staff pursues. Morris will be a redshirt sophomore while Hoover will be a redshirt freshman, meaning both have plenty of years to play. So does the staff try to add another transfer with two or three years remaining of eligibility or go after a more experienced option, like say a grad transfer?

Ideally I think TCU would love to add a upperclassmen quarterback with some level of starting experience to the quarterback room that could push Morris for the starting job this season while also serving as another mentor for Hoover. Ultimately it will come to down what quarterbacks are available in the portal so keep an eye on how the various battles are playing out across the country.

Transfers are a hit

We know how good last year’s transfer crop was with Josh Newton, Johnny Hodges and Mark Perry all being significant contributors. The 2023 transfer group could just as impactful. Offensively, Oklahoma State transfer John Paul Richardson has earned the most favorable reviews out of all the receivers. He seems to have a leg up to start as a slot receiver.

Jackson State transfer Willis Patrick has manned the right guard position and has quickly built chemistry with the offensive line group. Alabama transfer Trey Sanders is battling with Bailey for the starting running back. On defense Florida transfer Avery Helm might have the inside track to start opposite Newton at cornerback. Junior college transfers Channing Canada and Mason White have improved the depth at the cornerback position as well.

JoJo Earle could be the team’s top punt returner and is battling Richardson and others for the starting slot position. His talent has been evident and the coaches continue to push him to reach his potential. LSU transfer Jack Bech and Ole Miss transfer Jaylon Robinson have been limited in practice but figure to only add to the depth in the receiver room.

Alabama transfer Tommy Brockermeyer is probably the furthest from being a contributor. Offenisve line coach A.J. Ricker said he basically views him as a freshmen as Brockermeyer hasn’t been able to play much due to injuries. This could be a development year for him as he continues to transform his body and get accustomed to what TCU wants to do.

The Horned Frogs are also looking forward to the arrival of East Carolina defensive lineman Rick D’Abreu, who will join the team after he graduates. TCU could look to add another defensive lineman or two to improve depth in the room.

Briles vs. Riley

As the players become more comfortable with the offense, I imagine the production will come. Briles’ track record speaks for itself. When comparing his offense to Garrett Riley, a lot of it looks the same especially the base personnel of three receivers, a tight end and running back in a spread formation.

Here are the few early wrinkles I’ve seen that separate the two schemes so far. TCU never went under center last year except for a quarterback sneak, but there have been a few instances where Morris has taken snaps in a more pro-style formation. I don’t expect it to be a big part of the offense, it could be a change of pace TCU uses periodically.

We know the Horned Frogs will push the tempo much more than they did last year as that has been a staple of Briles’ offense. Last year Arkansas ranked 13th in offensive plays per game while TCU was just 71st according to TeamRankings.com.

Whoever is the quarterback, he will spend more time on the move than Max Duggan did last year. One of the base install plays for TCU is a play action fake that leads to a quarterback sprint out with receiving options rolling to the same side of the field. It creates easy read for the quarterback and also gives him the option to use his legs.

TCU returns to practice on Monday for practice No. 9.