Since joining the Big 12, TCU has never finished lower than third in the conference in defensive yards per play. It’s finished first three times, including in 2017.

The Horned Frogs have to rebuild their secondary and lost their best overall defender from last season. Just don’t let that temper your expectations for a group that might be the Big 12’s best again.

The defensive line might be a strength. Injuries kept much of the unit sidelined during the spring, but senior Ben Banogu returns after making 16.5 tackles for loss and turning down an early entrance into the NFL. Corey Bethley and Ross Blacklock give the Horned Frogs a pair of sophomore stars on the unit, and versatile senior Ty Summers might join them if he’s not back playing linebacker.

The Horned Frogs survived two November games in 2017 without linebacker Travin Howard, and now they face life without him permanently. It might be a responsibility that falls to Northern Illinois transfer Jawuan Johnson. He parlayed a breakout 2017 season into landing at TCU as a graduate transfer. As a junior, he made 18 tackles for loss, forced five fumbles and picked off five passes, returning two for touchdowns.

“He’s a real physical player and a smart player. I was very excited about him,” Patterson said.

He’ll have to beat out junior Montrel Wilson to win the gig.

Safety Nick Orr and cornerback Ranthony Texada left big holes in the secondary, but seniors Niko Small and Ridwan Issahaku return at safety. Markell Simmons may replace Orr, but Innis Gaines and Vernon Scott should provide a challenge there, and depth at the position at worst. Jeff Gladney, Tony James and Julius Lewis are all capable of replacing Texada, and newcomer Atanza Vongor might find his way into the rotation, too.

“It’s always about the same for us,” Patterson said. “How do we get to where everybody can run our defense, play the technique the way it’s supposed to be played?”

But if history is any guide, even with a few question marks, the Horned Frogs’ defense will remain a force.