In the midst of a revolving door of talent that is the transfer portal era, the TCU Horned Frogs will enjoy much-needed continuity at football’s most important position—Quarterback. The Horned Frogs return one of the NCAA’s most prolific passers, Josh Hoover. Despite fielding a potentially lucrative offer from Tennessee following the Nico Iamaleava fallout, Hoover made it clear that it’s Fort Worth or nowhere. The redshirt junior is so enamored with Fort Worth and TCU that he reportedly told his agent, “No, that’s not what I want to do,” referencing Tennessee’s interest, before even listening to the Volunteers’ offer.
Hoover is rebuilding TCU into a powerhouse, and he knows it. The redshirt junior is well aware of what it takes to build a championship contender; he was a freshman when the Horned Frogs took on the Georgia Bulldogs in the National Championship game in 2022. A year later, TCU went 5-7. Hoover didn’t begin the season as the starter, but took over midway for an injured Chandler Morris and threw for 2,206 yards and 15 touchdowns.
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The Rockwall Heath alum was by no means a surefire starter heading into 2024 following an uneven inaugural season. Nevertheless, he exceeded expectations as the Horned Frogs went 9-4 in a bounce-back season. Hoover threw for 3,949 yards, the seventh-best mark in the nation. Hoover tossed 27 touchdowns and averaged an astounding 8.4 yards per attempt. However, he was intercepted 11 times after throwing nine a year prior. Furthermore, Hoover lost six fumbles, tied for the most in college football. Entering 2025, ball protection will be a major point of emphasis moving forward for Hoover.
Still, regardless of Hoover’s turnover woes, he’s one of college football’s best passers. He ranks second amongst returnees in yards and sixth in touchdowns. Hoover has consistently been ranked as one of the nation’s best quarterbacks and has a chance to join Max Duggan, Trevone Boykin, and LaDainian Tomlinson as Horned Frog Heisman Trophy finalists this millennium if he lives up to his billing.
Directly backing up Hoover will be redshirt senior Ken Seals. Seals assumes the clear-cut reserve role after Hauss Hejny’s departed for Oklahoma State. Hejny frequently played in relief of Hoover a season ago, but was more often featured as a designated rusher in Kendall Briles’ offense. On the other hand, Seals threw for 97 yards and a touchdown, converting 10-of-13 attempts. The Vanderbilt transfer brings a wealth of experience, totaling 4,292 passing yards and 28 touchdowns with the Commodores.
Behind Seals is true freshman and familiar name Adam Schobel. Schobel is the son of former TCU tight end Matt Schobel and the nephew of former TCU defensive lineman and NFL All-Pro honoree Aaron Schobel. Adam is a four-star quarterback hailing from Columbus, Texas. He originally committed to Oklahoma State before decommitting and signing with the Horned Frogs a year ago. The four-star product likely won’t see the field much at all this season, but will be expected to compete for a starting position sooner rather than later.
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Lastly, walk-ons David Potter and Jacob Porter round out the quarterback room. Potter is a freshman from Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas. Potter totaled 33 touchdowns and over 3,000 as a senior, leading Texas High School deep into the postseason. Porter is entering his fourth year in the program as a redshirt junior. The former Keller Timber Creek quarterback has made one appearance through three seasons, which occurred last year in the Horned Frogs’ 49-28 defeat against the Arizona Wildcats.
All in all, much of TCU’s success will hinge on Hoover. As mentioned throughout, the redshirt junior will be one of the NCAA’s best passers and has a chance to finish the season alongside Andy Dalton and Boykin as one of three TCU quarterbacks to eclipse the 10,000 career passing yard mark. In a conference littered with elite passers, Hoover may just be the best.
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