FWST: 2026 TCU football preview: Can Jaden Craig replace Josh Hoover at quarterback?

[TopFrog]

2026 TCU football preview: Can Jaden Craig replace Josh Hoover at quarterback?​

Steven Johnson

The beginning of July means that football season is right around the corner.

The 2026 season will be a pivotal one for TCU head coach Sonny Dykes as he enters his fifth season in Fort Worth. The Horned Frogs have averaged nine winsin Dykes’ first four years, and now the program is hoping to take the leap from good to great.

One key to accomplishing that goal will be the quarterback position, where the Horned Frogs will have a new starter. New offensive coordinator Gordon Sammisis another key factor to TCU’s hopes of elevating as a program, and his primary job will be tailoring a system to the quarterbacks on the Horned Frogs’ roster.

FWST link: https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/college/big-12/texas-christian-university/article316343655.html

 

[ShadowFrog]

Reduce turnovers by half.
Increase 3rd down production by half.
Result = 10+ win season.
I will now read article.
Wait, why now I speak Yoda? Hmmrgh.

 

[Spike]

Reduce turnovers by half.
Increase 3rd down production by half.
Result = 10+ win season.
I will now read article.
Wait, why now I speak Yoda? Hmmrgh.

Use the Force!

 

[TopFrog]

Use the Force!

TWSS

 

[namollec]

It really doesn't matter if he can replace Hoover so long as he is successful in the new offense.
Here and now is more important than any measuring stick regarding last year's guy.

 

[LisaLT]

I really doesn't matter if he can replace Hoover so long as he is successful in the new offense.
Here and now is more important than any measuring stick regarding last year's guy.

Exactly. They are two very different players and Craig will have a new OC. Clean slate.

 

[SW toad]

The main thing or flaw I heard about Craig during/out of Spring was that he had way to many "underthrows" You had to dig a little to find it but it was on national news outlets.

Hopefully, these underthrows are simply because he was accustomed to throwing to Ivy Legue 4.7 to 4.9 guys. Maybe Fall camp will allow Craig to Sync up with faster athletes.

 

[Mean Purple]

The main thing or flaw I heard about Craig during/out of Spring was that he had way to many "underthrows" You had to dig a little to find it but it was on national news outlets.

Hopefully, these underthrows are simply because he was accustomed to throwing to Ivy Legue 4.7 to 4.9 guys. Maybe Fall camp will allow Craig to Sync up with faster athletes.

So you're saying he can indeed replace Hoov ...

 

[SW toad]

So you're saying he can indeed replace Hoov ...

I will give you the choice. 3 obvious underthrows per game where one is likely to end in a TD OR 1 interception.

 

[82 Frog Fever]

I will give you the choice. 3 obvious underthrows per game where one is likely to end in a TD OR 1 interception.

Well that’s already a 1 interception improvement over Hoover’s 13 INTs, and Craig is likely to improve in fall camp.
BTW, Craig only threw 4 interceptions in 15 camp sessions.

 

[82 Frog Fever]

I really doesn't matter if he can replace Hoover so long as he is successful in the new offense.
Here and now is more important than any measuring stick regarding last year's guy.

I’m assuming our running game will be substantially improved from last year’s 89th ranked rushing attack, which was barely 1,700 yds.
If so, you’re certainly correct, it won’t matter if Craig can replace Hoover.

 

[Frog Attack II]

Yes - he will replace Hoover. In fact, anyone that gets the start will replace Hoover....cause Hoov ain't here anymore! A mannequin could replace Hoover this year....

 

[BrewingFrog]

A mannequin could replace Hoover this year....

...And it would throw fewer interceptions!

 

[82 Frog Fever]

...And it would throw fewer interceptions!

Ohhhh, you beat me to it. Touche’

 

[Chongo94]

I’m assuming our running game will be substantially improved from last year’s 89th ranked rushing attack, which was barely 1,700 yds.
If so, you’re certainly correct, it won’t matter if Craig can replace Hoover.

Excited to see it in action as it sounded like a production machine while at UConn….worried it will not be so here though, sadly.

Two thirds excited, one third worried….thats where I am I think currently.

 

[82 Frog Fever]

Excited to see it in action as it sounded like a production machine while at UConn….worried it will not be so here though, sadly.

Two thirds excited, one third worried….thats where I am I think currently.

Nothing wrong with being worried; however, there is reason for big optimism.
Our inside OL will be more experienced with Bennet, Powers, McKinney, and is stronger than last year with Bennet, Deery, Powers. McKinney would have been our best OL by far last year.
Getting rid of our worst run blocker, Bruno 6’-4 305, at tackle is definitely a plus. Van Hoy at 6’-6 320 should be much better and stronger….and BT-W had a really good 2nd half last year, so I’m expecting he will also be improved.
* Jeremy Payne’s last 5 games against 3 ranked opponents was 74 carries for 476 yards @ 6.4 ypc.. That projects to 1,142 yards over 12 games.….and that’s with less than 15 carries per game, but he’s likely to get 18+ carries per game this year, and he has another year of experience.
…and Jaden Criaig is a 6’-3 230 lb. QB that can run. He proved that this past spring. At 230, he runs a 4.7 40, which is decent.
That should help to keep the LBs more honest, as they will have to keep containment