TCU quarterback Shawn Robinson will transfer from TCU, according to a report from 247Sports reporter Jeremy Clark. Robinson has already been removed from the TCU roster.

The transfer is unexpected, but not shocking. Robinson was billed as the best quarterback recruit in TCU history when he joined the program in 2017. However, he seemingly lost favor with the coaching staff. It was probably a warning sign that Robinson went to three high schools in four seasons before winning a state championship at Desoto.

Robinson was not spectacular at TCU. In fact, there were stretches where he hurt his team. Over a five-game stretch, Robinson turned the ball over 10 times. The Horned Frogs were a cool 1-4 over that stretch.

However, Robinson completed 60.8 percent of his passes for 1,334 yards and added 12 total touchdowns. Once he went out, TCU’s offense contracted. The Horned Frogs averaged 28.7 points per game with Robinson in the lineup; that went down to 19.4 points per game with three performances under 20 points without him.

But for all his faults, Robinson’s departure puts the program in a difficult position under center in 2019.

TCU will have three scholarship quarterbacks on campus for spring ball: Redshirt freshman Justin Rogers, 2019 recruit Max Duggan and former walk-on Penn transfer Michael Collins.

Collins is the only player who has appeared in a college football game to this point. He completed 56.4 percent of his passes for six touchdowns and two interceptions, but also lost three of the four games in which he played the majority of snaps. 

Rogers is considered to be one of the best overall recruits in program history. Many fans were clamoring for him to enter a game by the end of the year. However, Rogers has not played in nearly two years after suffering a devastating knee injury. The coaching staff revealed that Rogers was still working his way back later in the 2018 season.

Duggan is a wild card. He was an Elite 11 quarterback and has a college-ready game. That said, he has never played competition in the same stratosphere of Big 12 football.

There’s a danger in playing a quarterback before he’s ready. In fact, Robinson is the perfect example. The sophomore had some growing up to do, but was never afforded the opportunity. Ultimately, the pressure ended up crushing Robinson in his first year as the starter. There’s a real chance he may never start at a Power Five school heading forward.

Now, TCU has two new blue-chip quarterbacks on the roster. You don't have to go far to see fans seeing Rogers as the offensive savior, the heir apparent to Trevone Boykin and the quarterback to lead the Horned Frogs back to prominence. That's a lot of pressure to put on a 19-year-old who hasn't faced live action since 2017. Robinson needs to be a cautionary tale. 

Of course, there are rumblings that TCU could be on the lookout for a graduate transfer quarterback. But with Kelly Bryant already committed to Mizzou, there doesn’t seem to be an obvious difference-maker at the position.

The Horned Frogs don't need a superstar at the position. Wide receiver Jalen Reagor is already that. He managed to break the 1,000-yard mark despite receiving passes from three different starting quarterbacks. Running backs Sewo Olonilua and Darius Anderson also ensure that the offense will be able to move. The defense is also a mainstay at TCU under Gary Patterson. 

Patterson is known for his quick turnarounds. The Horned Frogs have finished .500 or worse just four times in 18 seasons. In the seasons afterwards, Patterson’s teams are a combined 44-6.

The Horned Frogs still have a Cheez-It Bowl game against Cal to avoid a fifth season below .500. But regardless, TCU will have high expectations once again in 2019. WIth seven seniors gone on defense and four others on offense, quarterback play will be that much more important in 2018.