DCTF: With leadership issues in the rear-view mirror, TCU prepared to earn back status as Big 12 elite

[TopFrog]

DCTF: With leadership issues in the rear-view mirror, TCU prepared to earn back status as Big 12 elite

Mike Craven

LAS VEGAS – Ask TCU head coach Sonny Dykes for the difference between the team that won 13 games in 2022 en route to the national championship game and the five-win team of 2023 that became the first national runner-up to not reach a bowl game the following year and his answer is simple: Leadership. The 2022 team had it in spades. The 2023 squad sorely lacked it.

But don’t take that as Dykes passing the buck to his players. He firmly carries the blame for the season, and for a roster that entered the 2023 campaign lacking in the leadership required to handle tough times, like the season opening loss to Colorado. In 2022, TCU was 6-1 in one-possession games. Last year, the Frogs were 0-4 in close games.

“If you have a lack of leadership it is the coach’s fault and I didn’t do a good enough job last year of developing those guys,” Dykes said. “That leadership can’t be taken for granted. We must develop that 365 days a year.”

Read more at https://www.texasfootball.com/artic...-prepared-to-earn-back-status-as-big-12-elite

 

[TopFrog]

 

[FrogAbroad]

I think you nailed it, Top...

 

[82 Frog Fever]

Well I drank a large glass of homer koolaid and I believe they can do it, maybe this year.
This D is going to be much better. The LB room, especially Obiazor, looks top notch. They should have a great year with Avalos’ blitz packages. The CBs & safeties look strong & will be very exciting to watch. Not that sure about the DL without Damonic, but I do know they had a good spring.
The O, as long as Hoover is healthy & limits his throws into coverage, could be very solid. The WR room, as a whole, is as strong as I’ve seen at TCU. Williams, McAlister, Richardson, & Dabney could be deadly on the field at the same time, and a healthy Jack Bech @ 6’-2 220 lbs is a secret weapon.
RBs will be critical. We have to get back to being a 2.2k+ rushing team. Cam Cook had a very effective spring where he busted numerous big runs, and I really like the D. Johnson (6’-1 251 lbs) pickup for a possible thunder and lightening combo.
The OL is the question, as they were inconsistent in the spring, but now Brockermeyer arrives and appears to be penciled in at starting C, which means Deery can rotate 3 positions from guard to guard. Now we have a strong 8 and could use a 9th OL via growth or portal.
I would not be all that surprised to see TCU win 8 or 9. At Utah and Arrowhead will be a huge challenge, but the rest look very winnable.
Go Frogs!

 

[ShadowFrog]

Well I drank a large glass of homer koolaid and I believe they can do it, maybe this year.
This D is going to be much better. The LB room, especially Obiazor, looks top notch. They should have a great year with Avalos’ blitz packages. The CBs & safeties look strong & will be very exciting to watch. Not that sure about the DL without Damonic, but I do know they had a good spring.
The O, as long as Hoover is healthy & limits his throws into coverage, could be very solid. The WR room, as a whole, is as strong as I’ve seen at TCU. Williams, McAlister, Richardson, & Dabney could be deadly on the field at the same time.
RBs will be critical. We have to get back to being a 2.2k+ rushing team. Cam Cook had a very effective spring where he busted numerous big runs, and I really like the D. Johnson (6’-1 251 lbs) pickup for a possible thunder and lightening combo.
The OL is the question, as they were inconsistent in the spring, but now Brockermeyer arrives and appears to be penciled in at starting C, which means Deery can rotate 3 positions from guard to guard. Now we have a strong 8 and could use a 9th OL via growth or portal.
I would not be all that surprised to see TCU win 8 or 9. At Utah and Arrowhead will be a huge challenge, but the rest look very winnable.
Go Frogs!

Optimistic summary, Approved.
When do players report in?

 

[Land Frog]

In 2022, Sonny gave Max the keys to the car and Max drove it like a Boss. In 2023, Sonny drove, got distracted by a butterfly and hit a tree. Leadership starts at the top. Sonny is NOT a leader.

 

[EVOfrogMR]

I think you nailed it, Top...

could only be better if the color was the same red as Max’s hair.

 

[4 Oaks Frog]

So, who is the leader this season?

 

[82 Frog Fever]

Optimistic summary, Approved.
When do players report in?

IDK, but according to the grounds crew, it’s late July.
There are only 6 more Saturdays until we kickoff the season.

 

[TopFrog]

So, who is the leader this season?

Utah

 

[ShadowFrog]

IDK, but according to the grounds crew, it’s late July.
There are only 6 more Saturdays until we kickoff the season.

What is that construction zone on the practice field? When will that be completed?

 

[BrewingFrog]

What is that construction zone on the practice field? When will that be completed?

Why, that's the new locker rooms and drinks pavilion for the Band!

 

[Big Frog II]

What is that construction zone on the practice field? When will that be completed?

It is the expansion of the weight room and work out area.

 

[ShadowFrog]

Why, that's the new locker rooms and drinks pavilion for the Band!

Dang, I remember those daze—crappy circus tent cast off from the Shriners and maybe 3 igloo coolers not quite full of water in the 100+ heat. It took pure guts & love of music to get thru that delirium. I remember after casing up the drums (percussion all reported 5 days before the band) just staggering back to Clark, taking a cold shower then collapsing on my bed. Tough times. I respect the Band so much more now—10 x the talent but still the same guts & heart just to get thru it for only a .5 semester hour credit and an “easy” A.

Oddly enough, still my best memories of college daze.

 

[BrewingFrog]

Dang, I remember those daze—crappy circus tent cast off from the Shriners and maybe 3 igloo coolers not quite full of water in the 100+ heat. It took pure guts & love of music to get thru that delirium. I remember after casing up the drums (percussion all reported 5 days before the band) just staggering back to Clark, taking a cold shower then collapsing on my bed. Tough times. I respect the Band so much more now—10 x the talent but still the same guts & heart just to get thru it for only a .5 semester hour credit and an “easy” A.

Oddly enough, still my best memories of college daze.

Wait... You got a tent?!?

 

[ShadowFrog]

Wait... You got a tent?!?

Yes, on that same practice field during my early Prof years so summer ‘77 - ‘79 ish. The tent was the “rest” tent used for shade breaks off to the side with the sad not quite full 3 igloos. The work on the field was nuthin’ but Texas sun & crispy dead grass.

 

[FroggleRock]

I know I’m only setting myself up for disappointment by doing this, but I’m getting really optimistic about this team.

If Hoover can take that next step in his development and limit mistakes/turnovers, I think he will definitely be one of the better QBs in the conference.

Of all the guys I'm most excited about, it’s probably Cam Cook. He immediately put to bed any doubts about the position and any need to hit the portal for an RB. Jack Bech’s face lit up when he talked about him at media days. And after what I saw in the spring game, I see why. Excellent vision and probably one of the quickest cutting RBs I’ve seen at TCU. The second he sees an opening, he’s gone. He, Sanders, and Johnson will be a really strong unit. I’m especially excited about having a 250 lbs RB/FB in the red zone. Great last minute pickup by the staff.

 

[ShadowFrog]

IDK, but according to the grounds crew, it’s late July.
There are only 6 more Saturdays until we kickoff the season.

Wait, wait. I just read this tweet again….heads were raised?! Sprinkler heads?? I thought we had out-lawed all sprinkler heads years ago after 2 separate & equally bizarre summer-camp injuries, one of which was a season breaker for a Frog player. I await elucidation with tremors.

 

[CryptoMiner]

Well I drank a large glass of homer koolaid and I believe they can do it, maybe this year.
This D is going to be much better. The LB room, especially Obiazor, looks top notch. They should have a great year with Avalos’ blitz packages. The CBs & safeties look strong & will be very exciting to watch. Not that sure about the DL without Damonic, but I do know they had a good spring.
The O, as long as Hoover is healthy & limits his throws into coverage, could be very solid. The WR room, as a whole, is as strong as I’ve seen at TCU. Williams, McAlister, Richardson, & Dabney could be deadly on the field at the same time, and a healthy Jack Bech @ 6’-2 220 lbs is a secret weapon.
RBs will be critical. We have to get back to being a 2.2k+ rushing team. Cam Cook had a very effective spring where he busted numerous big runs, and I really like the D. Johnson (6’-1 251 lbs) pickup for a possible thunder and lightening combo.
The OL is the question, as they were inconsistent in the spring, but now Brockermeyer arrives and appears to be penciled in at starting C, which means Deery can rotate 3 positions from guard to guard. Now we have a strong 8 and could use a 9th OL via growth or portal.
I would not be all that surprised to see TCU win 8 or 9. At Utah and Arrowhead will be a huge challenge, but the rest look very winnable.
Go Frogs!

To add to your optimism:

Major Everhart looked impressive in the spring before they started holding him back
Two other transfers arriving this summer on the interior: OL Cade Bennett and DT Hakeem Ajijolaiya