2019 TCU Football Overview

Frogs Seeking to 'Earn the Chip' 

TCU enters the 2019 season following a 2018 season that started off with high expectations, sank to disappointing lows, and, despite staggering odds, ended positively. The Frogs won four of their last five regular-season games, including their last two, to qualify for their 19th bowl game in the past 21 years. 

The improbable, thrilling, 10-7 overtime win over California in the Cheez-It Bowl the day after Christmas, and the resulting 7-6 record for the year, was a fitting climax to a wild, wacky season for the Horned Frogs.

You’d think that after such a trying year for TCU that the Frogs and their fans would be able to breathe a little easier heading into the 2019 season. However, uncertainly dominates TCU football, just as it did last year. 

As the new season prepares to unfold on August 31 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Amon G. Carter Stadium, the biggest question mark facing TCU and their fans is who will lead the Frogs.

Gary Patterson

No, we’re not talking about the head coach. Gary Patterson once again returns as the man in charge, or, as he likes to say, as the Frogs’ CEO, and he has designated 2019 as the “Earn the Chip” year for the Horned Frogs. 

Since taking over the helm in December 2000, Patterson has become synonymous with TCU football and Fort Worth. 

Patterson's 19 seasons make him the longest tenured head coach in the Big 12 and nation's second-longest. He is the Horned Frogs' all-time winningest coach with 167 victories, which are also the most by an active head coach nationally at his current school. His .726 winning percentage (167-63) ranks fourth among active FBS coaches (minimum 10 years).

Unfortunately, the foundation and steadiness that the Frogs have at their head coaching position does not extend to their starting quarterback position. Uncertainty at that critical position translates into uncertainty for the 2019 season. 

One thing, however, is certain. The player who first started at quarterback for the Frogs last season will not be guiding TCU this season.

Shawn Robinson, who as a sophomore started seven games under center for the Frogs last year before his season was ended by an injury in the Oklahoma game, transferred to Missouri during the off-season. 

When Robinson went down last year, he was replaced by sophomore transfer Mike Collins.

Collins suffered a season-ending injury in the Baylor game, the next-to-last regular-season game. 

Fifth-year senior Grayson Muehlstein replaced Collins in the Baylor game and led the Frogs to victories over the Bears, Oklahoma State and California.

Mike Collins

Collins is back, to compete for the starting quarterback job this season, as is Justin Rogers, a highly touted 2018 recruit. 

Also in the mix to play quarterback for the Frogs are Alex Delton, Max Duggan, Matthew Downing and Matthew Baldwin. 

Collins (#10) started four games last season. He completed 56.4 percent (79 of 140) of his passes for 1,059 yards, with six TDs and two interceptions. 

Rogers (#13) redshirted last season because of a serious knee injury he suffered during his senior year of high school. He saw his first game action of the season when he briefly replaced an injured Muehlstein in the fourth quarter of the bowl game. He was sacked for a four-yard loss and completed his one pass attempt. 

Delton (#16) is a graduate transfer out of Kansas State. He may be the favorite to win the job, not because of his flashiness, but because of his experience. Patterson values experience, and steadiness. He likes quarterbacks who can manage games. 

As a junior with the Wildcats last season, Delton played in seven games, with starts against Texas and Kansas. He completed 44 of 80 passes for 554 yards. He threw two touchdown passes and had two passes intercepted.

Duggan (#15) is a true freshman. He came to TCU as a four-star recruit, the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the nation and Iowa’s Gatorade Player of the Year. As a high-school senior last season, he threw for more than 2,100 yards and 24 TDs. He also ran for 1,200 yards. 

It is important to note that as TCU’s head coach, Patterson has only had one true freshman start a game -- Shawn Robinson at Texas Tech in 2017.

Downing (#17) redshirted at Georgia last season, playing briefly in four games. His brother, Michael, played in the secondary at TCU, graduating in 2017 and serving as a graduate assistant coach for the Frogs in 2018. 

Baldwin (#18) redshirted at Ohio State last season. He is recovering from surgery, and he may not be granted an immediate eligibility waiver. The NCAA denied an initial request by him and TCU. He and the school reportedly are appealing the decision. 

Offense

Offensively, TCU returns seven starters from last season, including at least four potential NFL draft picks – receiver Jalen Reagor, running backs Sewo Olonilua and Darius Anderson, and tackle Lucas Niang. Reagor and Niang represent the Frogs’ offense on the 2019 Media Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team.

Jalen Reagor (#1)

Reagor (#1) is on the watch lists for the Biletnikoff, Maxwell, Walter Camp, Paul Hornung, and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose awards.

Anderson (#6) is on the watch list for the Doak Walker Award, which honors college football’s best running back, and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award. 

Niang (#77) is on the watch list for the Outland Trophy.

Uncertainly surrounds Olonilua (#33). He is facing a felony drug charge (THC) from a traffic stop in May. Olonilua is practicing with the team. His case remains unscheduled. 

For TCU to improve in 2019, its offense must improve.

Last year, the Frogs averaged 23.54 points per game, which was eighth in the Big 12, ranking ahead of only Kansas and Kansas State. 

TCU’s rushing game in 2018 accumulated 2,036 yards, an average of 157 rushing yards per game, which ranked eighth in the Big 12, ahead of only Kansas and Kansas State.

Through the air, the Frogs gained 2,749 yards, an average of 212 passing yards per game, which ranked eighth in the Big 12, only ahead of Kansas and Kansas State. 

TCU’s total offense for 2018 was 4,785 yards, an average of 368 total yards per game, which ranked eighth in the Big 12, only ahead of Kansas and Kansas State.

The Frogs lost three of their top five receivers from last year, but  Reagor was their number one option in 2018, and he projects to be TCU’s best offensive playmaker in 2019. 

In 2018, Reagor had a team-best 72 catches for 1,061 yards, both of which rank second for a season in TCU history. His receiving totals ranked him as the ninth-best receiver n the Big 12 last season. His 1,449 all-purpose yards (112 yards per game average), ranked seventh in the Big 12. 

Forty-four of Reagor’s catches (61.1 percent) last season went for a first down or touchdown. The second-team All-Big 12 selection led TCU and the Big 12 in percentage of his team's receptions at 30.1 (72-of-239), the highest mark by a Horned Frog in the 18-season tenure of Patterson. Reagor's team-best nine touchdown catches tied for the fifth-best season total by a Horned Frog. The junior from Waxahachie, Texas, set a TCU record with seven consecutive games with a scoring grab. 

Jalen Reagor (#1) and Taye Barber

Reagor became the first wide receiver in TCU and Big 12 history to top 100 yards rushing (121) and 90 yards receiving (91) in the Frogs’ regular-season finale, a 31-24 victory over Oklahoma State in Fort Worth. He was the sixth FBS player since 1996 to accomplish the feat and the first Power Five wide receiver since Dexter McCluster (Ole Miss) in 2009. 

In voting by his teammates, Reagor was selected as TCU's 2018 Dan Rogers Most Valuable Player. He became the first wide receiver to receive the award since Cory Rodgers in 2004.

If Reagor’s numbers and accomplishments are similar in 2019, TCU’s offense could be formidable. It also could mean that after the season Reagor will be eyeing the NFL Draft as a junior, with a first-round selection possible. 

Other notable returning receivers include Taye Barber (#4), who had 32 catches for 303 yards and two touchdowns in 2018, and TreVontae Hights (#87), who had two touchdown receptions. 

TCU’s rushing attack was not particularly effective last year. The Frogs were 85th in the nation with an average of 4.1 yards per run play last season. 

Olonilua led TCU in rushing. He had 635 rushing yards, which ranked 14^th in the Big 12. The highlight of his season was a 194-yard rushing performance in the Cheez-It Bowl. He earned the bowl’s offensive MVP honors.

Darius Anderson (#6)

Anderson has been injury-prone during his career. He missed the Frogs’ final two games of 2018. He rushed for 598 yards last season. 

Against Ohio State, in AT&T Stadium last September, Anderson had an electrifying 93-yard touchdown run. The run is the longest rushing play in TCU history, bettering the previous mark of 89 yards by LaDainian Tomlinson, versus UTEP, in 2000, and San Jose State, in 1999. The run is tied for the fourth-longest play from scrimmage in TCU history. The run is the longest play from scrimmage allowed by Ohio State in its history. The run also is the longest for a college game in AT&T Stadium’s history.

There is depth at the running back position, including junior running back Emari Demercado (#3), who saw game action last year, and freshmen sensations Darwin Barlow (#24) and Daimarqua Foster (#21). 

Barlow, who played high school football in Newton, Texas, was the No. 4 running back in Texas in his class. He racked up over 5,000 rushing yards in his high school career and had offers from USC and LSU, among others. 

Foster was the highest-rated player TCU signed in 2019. He was the No. 7 back nationwide. As a senior at Wichita Falls (Texas) Hirschi, the speedster ran for 2,800 yards and 44 touchdowns. 

TCU’s quarterbacks, receivers and running backs should benefit from a solid, experienced offensive line. The Frogs return five offensive line starters from last year. 

Niang (#77), one of the top offensive tackles in the country, will anchor the offensive line. Also returning are tackle Anthony McKinney (#68), guards Codel Iwuagwu (#70) and Wes Harris (#78), and center Kelton Hollins (#55), who is on the watch list for the Rimington Trophy and the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy. Austin Myers (#56) started nine games last season. He alternated between guard and tackle. 

Defense 

In 2019, the Frogs again should be known for their defense.

Last year, TCU led the Big 12 in total defense (338 yards per game) and passing defense (208 yards per game in conference games) and was third in rushing defense (145 yards per game in conference games). The Frogs gave up only 23.08 points per game. 

Jeff Gladney (#12) and Innis Gaines (#6)

Under Patterson, who was the Frogs’ defensive coordinator prior to being named head coach, TCU consistently has been one of the best defensive units in the country.

Since the NCAA began tracking statistics in 1937, TCU trails only Alabama for the most times leading the nation in total defense. The Crimson Tide have been No. 1 six times, while all five No. 1 rankings (2000, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2010) for the Horned Frogs are in the last 19 seasons. From 2008-10, TCU became just the third program in NCAA history to lead the nation in total defense in three consecutive seasons. 

TCU returns five starters on defense from 2018, including tackle Corey Bethley (#94) and cornerback Jeff Gladney (#12), who were named to the 2019 Media Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team.

Gladney has been named to watch lists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, the Jim Thorpe Award, the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

Gladney was an All-Big 12 selection in 2018. Pro Football Focus rated him No. 1 in the Big 12 in lowest passer rating allowed (46.9) with a minimum of 200 coverage snaps. He also ranked No. 1 in the conference in only surrendering a reception every 16.5 coverage snaps. He had a team-best 13 pass breakups, which placed second in the Big 12. He tied for the TCU lead with two interceptions. Gladney started all 13 games last season and has TCU's longest active streak for consecutive starts with 22.

Corey Bethley (#94)

Bethley's 9.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks last season were both third on the team, behind only 2019 first- and second-round NFL Draft picks L.J. Collier and Ben Banogu, respectively. An honorable-mention All-Big 12 pick, Bethley had at least one tackle for a loss in seven games

Also returning is defensive tackle Ross Blacklock (#90), who missed last season due to an Achilles injury, safety Innis Gaines (#6), who suffered a season-ending injury about halfway through the season, cornerback Julius Lewis (#24), and linebacker Garrett Wallow (#30). 

In 2017, as a redshirt freshman, Blacklock started all 13 games. He had 27 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for a loss, and two sacks. He was named the 2017 Big 12 Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year.

As a starting safety, Gaines, in just six games last year, had 31 tackles, 6.5 of which were for a loss.

As a starting cornerback, Lewis trailed only Gladney in the Big 12 by allowing only one reception every 15.4 snaps in coverage. He had 30 tackles and tied for the team lead with two interceptions in 2018.

The TCU secondary already has been bit by the injury bug. Cornerback Noah Daniels suffered a season-ending injury in a recent practice. 

A notable addition to the secondary is cornerback Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (#1), a freshman from Midway High School in Hewitt, Texas. Hodges-Tomlinson, who was the 15th-rated safety in Texas, is the nephew of TCU football legend, Board of Trustee member and Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson.

The Frogs lost some excellent linebackers from last season. Between them, Ty Summers, Jawuan Johnson, Arico Evans and Alec Dunham totaled 220 tackles. 

Garret Wallow (#30)

Wallow had 72 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks as a linebacker last year. This season, he will be the Frogs’ most experienced player at this important position.

Replacing Collier and Banogu at the defensive end positions will not be easy for the Frogs, but there are several candidates, including Shameik Blackshear, Parker Workman, Ochaum Mathis, Colt Ellison and Adam Plant. 

Blackshear (#91), 6-5, 270 pounds, is a graduate transfer from the University of South Carolina, where he was a four-star recruit and played all four seasons.

Workman (#40), a 6-3, 240-pounder, is a junior-college transfer from Snow College in South Jordan, Utah. In 2018, he ranked eighth nationally among JUCO players with 11.5 sacks. 

Ochaun Mathis (#32), 6-5, 235 pounds, is a redshirt freshman who played in four games in 2018.   

Colt Ellison (#44), 6-4, 235 pounds, is a freshman from Aledo, Texas. He was ranked as the No. 27 defensive end in the nation and No. 50 overall player in Texas. 

Adam Plant (#98) is a 6-5, 245-pound freshman from Las Vegas, Nevada, where he was ranked as the nation's No. 41 defensive end.

Special Teams 

The Frogs’ kicking unit experienced a loss before practices began in August. Senior placekicker and kick-off specialist Cole Bunce (#37) was struck by a vehicle on his way to the football team’s reporting day and had surgery for an unspecified injury. He reportedly will miss the season. Last season, Bunce was 12-for-12 on extra points and 4-for-9 on field goals, with a long of 41 yards. 

Jonathan Song (#46)

Senior Jonathan Song (#46) probably will be the Frogs’ main placekicker this season. For his career, Song is 17-for-20 on field goals, with his longest coming from 46 yards. His field goal in overtime won the Cheez-It Bowl for the Horned Frogs.

Five other roster players also are listed as place-kickers: Jonathan Trujillo (#32), Griffin Kell (#39), Ray Thomas (#40), Maxwell Finch (#43) and William Mann (#44).

Punting duties should go to freshman Jordy Sandy (#31). Sandy, 6-3, 220-pounds, is from Traralgon, Australia. He was ranked as the No. 1 punter in Australia and rated as the No. 5 punter in the Class of 2019.

Junior Dillon Jones (#41), redshirt freshman Dearan Roche (#42) and Trujilo also are listed on the roster as punters.

Schedule 

The 2019 season will be TCU’s eighth as a member of the Big 12 conference. The Frogs have been picked fourth in the 2019 preseason Big 12 media poll, behind Oklahoma, Texas and Iowa State.

TCU’s season-opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, in Amon G. Carter Stadium, at 7 pm on August 31, marks the fourth time in their recent history that the Horned Frogs are facing an opponent from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

TCU defeated Southern University, 55-7, in the 2018 season-opener. TCU beat Jackson State, 63-0, in the Frogs' 2017 season-opener. The Frogs blanked Grambling State, 56-0, in their 2012 season-opener. Southern, Jackson State and Grambling State compete against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

For the second-straight season, TCU will face a Big 10 opponent. The Frogs will take on Purdue on September 14 in West Lafayette, Indiana. Last year, 15th-ranked TCU lost to fourth-ranked Ohio State, 40-28, in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The Frogs’ game against Purdue will give TCU an opportunity to get back on the winning track against Big 10 schools and make an early favorable impression, heading into their rivalry game against SMU on September 21 and then their rugged Big 12 conference schedule.

TCU is 14-22-2 all-time against Big Ten schools. TCU is 5-2 versus Big Ten opponents under Patterson. Of course, among the Horned Frogs' Big Ten victories under Patterson was a 21-19 decision over Wisconsin in the 2011 Rose Bowl to cap a 13-0 season and secure a No. 2 national ranking.

The Frogs open conference play in 2019 against Kansas, on September 28, in Fort Worth. TCU will be looking for revenge, after suffering an embarrassing 27-26 loss to the Jayhawks last season in Lawrence. Les Miles will be in his inaugural season of coaching Kansas.

TCU then will play back-to-back road games, against Iowa State and Kansas State (new coach Chris Klieman), before hosting Texas in a homecoming game on October 26.

Three of the Frogs’ final five regular-season games will be on the road, against Oklahoma State, Texas Tech (new coach Matt Wells) and Oklahoma. Baylor visits Fort Worth on November 9. A home game against West Virginia (new coach Neal Brown) on Friday, November 29, will close out the regular season.

It’s a tough schedule for the Frogs, but despite the lackluster 2018 season and the uncertainty at quarterback, TCU enters 2019 with some momentum. 

Frog Momentum 

The Frogs hold the Big 12's longest active winning streak at three games. 

Over the last five seasons, TCU's 47-19 overall record and 30-15 conference mark rank second in the Big 12.

Patterson is the Horned Frogs' all-time winningest coach with 167 victories, which are also the most by an active head coach nationally at his current school. His .726 winning percentage (167-63) ranks fourth among active FBS coaches (minimum 10 years).

TCU will enter the 2019 campaign as one of just six programs nationally to finish in the top 10 in at least three (2014, 2015, 2017) of the previous five years. In 18 seasons under Patterson, TCU has posted seven top-10 finishes and 11 in the top 25. 

Plus, the prior two times that the Frogs have been picked fourth or lower in the preseason Big 12 media poll, they won a Big 12 championship (2014) and played in the Big 12 championship game (2017).

Thus, the table may be set for the Frogs to indeed “Earn the Chip” in 2019.