TCU Horned Frogs Offensive Players to Watch vs. Texas Longhorns

The Horned Frogs have struggled to find the same success on offense in Year 2 of the Sonny Dykes era.

A lot can change over the course of a year. Just ask TCU football.

Twice.

Last season under Sonny Dykes, the Horned Frogs ranked top 10 in scoring (38.8 points per game), and just outside the top 25 in total yards (455.0 per game). They were successful on nearly 40 percent of their third-down conversions and finished with a .4 turnover margin.

It was a magical year under Dykes to kick off his tenure, but change was not so far off the horizon. Max Duggan, Kendre Miller, Quinten Johnston, Derius Davis and others were NFL-bound. Offensive coordinator and Broyles winner Garrett Riley was off Clemson to help bring championships back to the ACC powerhouse.

And TCU? It's struggled to regain that confidence under first-year coordinator Kendal Briles. Quarterback play also has struggled, mainly due to injury. Chandler Morris hasn't played since Week 6's loss to Iowa State, and Josh Hoover is still learning the ropes.

Through nine games, the Horned Frogs rank 58th nationally in scoring, 54th in rushing, and 117th in turnover margin. And while ranked 16th in passing, TCU's only found the end zone 19 times between two passers.

Perhaps a showdown against the Texas Longhorns will do wonders for the persona of the Frogs. Since joining the Big 12, the TCU dominated Texas, going 7-3 in their previous 10 matchups.

Follow along with LonghornsCountry.com as we preview every aspect of Texas' matchup with the Horned Frogs throughout the week. First, here's a quick overview of the essential things to know before kickoff at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Nov. 11.

Now, let's take a look at the revamped offense for Dykes entering the new season.

TCU's wide receiver Jaylon Robinson (13) runs with the ball against Texas Tech in a Big 12 football game, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at Jones AT&T Stadium.  :: © Annie Rice/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

QB Josh Hoover

Dykes announced Tuesday that while Morris is progressing through injury, Hoover is expected to start on Saturday in Fort Worth. Hoover, a three-star freshman from Rockwall, was expected to sit and learn this season, but injuries have forced him into the starting lineup.

In four games, the 6-1 freshman has completed roughly 60 percent of his passes for 1,148 yards and seven touchdowns against seven interceptions. Hoover is coming off back-to-back underwhelming performances, completing 57.2 percent of his passes for a touchdown against three interceptions. He's thrown for over 300 yards twice this season, including in a four-touchdown performance over BYU.

RB Trey Sanders

Much like Miller took advantage of his situation when Zach Evans transferred to Ole Miss, Sanders took a shot to make waves at TCU. A transfer from Alabama, Sanders was limited to just 116 carries during his stay due to a car accident suffered in 2020.

Sanders started the season hot with a three-touchdown performance against Colorado. Since then, the junior has been relegated to the No. 2 role, failing to total more than six carries per game. In last week's loss to Texas Tech, though, Sanders was effective at the goal line, scoring a 1-yard touchdown run to bring the Horned Frogs within a score on the road.

RB Emani Bailey

Bailey is the bellcow back in place of Miller. He's totaled at least a dozen carries since Week 1 and is averaging 5.5 yards per snap. Bailey's rushed for over 100 yards in five contests and has four rushing touchdowns. In last week's loss against TCU, the junior scored two touchdowns, one of which came on a 16-yard run at the start of the third quarter.

WR John Paul Richardson

Richardson, a transfer from Oklahoma State, isn't a world-class weapon, but he's effective in creating separation. He leads the Horned Frogs in receiving yards (437) and catches (33) and averages 13.2 yards per catch.

TE Jared Wiley

Longhorns fans remember Wiley from his time on the Forty Acres. Three years after signing on the dotted line, the 6-7 pass-catcher headed north to begin a new chapter with the Purple and White. This season, he's been the security blanket for either quarterback on third down. Wiley leads the Horned Frogs in touchdown receptions (4) and ranks second in catches (26).