TopFrog
Lifelong Frog
5 TCU players that exceeded expectations on 2024
Sarah Smith
After missing the postseason completely in 2023 with a sub-.500 record, the TCU Horned Frogs turned things around in 2024, finishing with an 8-4 mark and an invitation to the New Mexico Bowl.
The Horned Frogs had some early-season woes to overcome, and did so thanks to some players rising above their projected production heading into the year.
Here are five players who exceeded expectations in 2024:
QB Josh Hoover
After Hoover took over the starting job for TCU in 2023 following former QB Chandler Morris’ injury, it was clear he needed to develop more if he were to maintain his starting position the following season.Despite a stretch from September into October where Hoover threw at least two interceptions in four of five games, overall, he ignited the passing game. He ended the regular season with 3,697 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Sonny Dykes commented on Hoover’s development early in the season and said he looked like a completely different quarterback compared to last season. It’s clear his improvement continues to trend upward and that he will likely remain the starting QB next season.
WR Jack Bech
Bech was limited in 2023 due to a leg injury, but made up for lost time with a career season.He was a slot receiver during his time at LSU, but Dykes moved him outside when he joined TCU in 2023. Bech made the most of this switch, becoming the fifth WR in TCU history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a season.
He finished the regular season with 1,034 receiving yards on 62 catches with nine touchdowns. In TCU’s loss to UCF, he recorded his season-high 200 receiving yards.
Bech’s physicality made him a priority target for Hoover. Averaging 16.7 yards per reception, it took multiple defenders to bring him down once the ball was in his hands.
RB Jeremy Payne
A big question mark for TCU’s offense throughout the entire season was the run game. Although it struggled to break loose, it was clear some potential has yet to be reached in the hands of TCU’s young rushing talent.Redshirt freshman Jeremy Payne touched the football in nearly every game in 2024, with his best performance against Kansas with 65 yards on eight attempts and a 10-yard reception.
His aggressiveness at the line of scrimmage and speed could make him an effective option for making plays in crucial moments in the future. Developing Payne’s skill, coupled with sophomore Cam Cook and junior Dominique Johnson will be key during the offseason.
DB Jamel Johnson
Johnson was a key piece in TCU’s secondary this season. He showcased his ability to make big plays, accumulating 71 total tackles (42 solo), a forced fumble and three passes defended.Although Johnson has entered the transfer portal this offseason, he was still the top DB on the Horned Frogs in 2024. The sophomore safety has a lot of room to grow and will be an asset on any defense if he doesn’t return to Fort Worth.
OLB Cooper McDonald
The senior linebacker was a force on the line of scrimmage for TCU. He finished with 25 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks, showing his ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks despite only playing in eight games due to injury.McDonals’s three sacks tied him for second on the team in the category.
The defense faced some criticism this season while not being able to stop the run, but it saw improvement in the second half. Under a new scheme from DC Andy Avalos, the unit will hope to improve next season.
