TCU’s 36 wins since Sonny Dykes arrived ahead of the 2022 season leads the Big 12 and the Horned Frogs remain the only active conference member with a win in the College Football Playoff. Yet, the program is 14-13 in conference play over the last three years while being plagued by turnovers and a weak running game. That’s led to losses against teams that TCU should beat, including a 6-6 Kansas State team in 2025 and defeats to UCF and Houston in 2024.

“I feel like in my career before the last couple of years that we didn’t lose games to teams we shouldn’t lose to,” Dykes told me on the magazine stop last week. “In the last couple of years, we’ve lost some games like that and that’s been very frustrating for me. That hasn’t been our M.O. in the past. That’s something we need to fix.”

Dykes hired offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis, who’s UConn offense only lost two turnovers and averaged 5.15 yards a carry last season, to replace Kendal Briles, who is now at South Carolina. Dykes says that, if done properly, Sammis’ offense will have very few negative plays which should help TCU stay out of third-and-long. The Frogs will be under center more often and added QB Jaden Craig from Harvard to replace Josh Hoover after he transferred to Indiana in the offseason. 

There is quiet confidence in Fort Worth. The Frogs have focused on high school recruiting the last few cycles and Dykes expects those efforts to start paying dividends in 2026. Most of the players with the highest ceilings at TCU are younger ones who were recruited and developed behind the scenes in the last few years. If those guys meet their potential and the offense turns the corner quickly, there is no reason that the program can’t return to Big 12 contention this fall. 

“I think we have a chance to be a good football team and a competitive football team and I’ll be disappointed if we’re not in the conference race in November,” Dykes said. “That is the expectation for our football program. We’ve had consecutive nine-win seasons, which is good, but everyone in this building wants to do better.”

Offense 

• Sammis says he describes his offense as “multiple” though some would call it pro-style. He says there is an emphasis on the run game and pointed out that seven different running backs had 100-yard games in the last two years at UConn. But expect multiple personnel with multiple sets and a mix of tempo. 
• Sammis knew about QB transfer Jaden Craig at Harvard because they were in the same region. He liked Craig’s production and that he always has his eyes up and never panics. Dykes says that Craig’s arm strength and mobility are even better than the staff imagined when they signed him through the portal. 
• The key in spring ball and over the next few months is to figure out what Craig and the rest of the offense likes and does well. Dykes says they’re throwing a bunch of stuff at the wall right now so some of it looks great and some of it doesn’t but that is why the offseason exists. 
• Redshirt freshman Adam Schobel is QB2 and he is physically impressive on the practice field due to his 6-foot-5 frame. Sammis says that Schobel “has gotten better every day. He’s got good arm strength and he runs really well. He’s confident and I think he has a bright future.” 
• Improving the run game is a priority and Jeremy Payne will be the focal point. The junior topped 100 yards rushing in each of the final two games of the regular season and had the highlight-reel run against USC to beat the Trojans in the Alamo Bowl. He could be a real breakout star in the Big 12 and should be the main benefactor of the change at OC. Being under center or in pistol more often should make the TCU run game less predictable. 
• Reserve running backs include Jon Denman, Landon Walker, and Joe Pitchford. Denman played as a true freshman but is out this spring because of a labrum injury that should be fine by the season. Walker is a transfer from the Colorado School of Mines and his 225-pound frame should give TCU a short-yardage option. 
• Dykes and Sammis had high praise for the tight end room, starting with Kari Ashley and Ka’Morreun Pimpton. Lafayette Kaiuway was described as a good blocker while Mason Peterson is a good wide receiver at tight end. The different bodies and skill sets should allow the Frogs to get creative with two tight end sets. 
• WR1 is likely senior Jordan Dwyer. Ed Small was destined for a breakout true freshman campaign but injuries kept him in check. Those two feel like proven commodities and the building blocks at wide receiver alongside Major Everhart. South Alabama transfer Jeremy Scott could be a starter. Young guys like Terry Shelton and Dozie Ezukanma have breakout potential and high ceilings who haven’t played a lot of football yet. Jacobe Hayes is also in that category. 
• The goal along the offensive line over the next couple of months is to find eight guys that Sammis can trust and then figure out the best five to build a starting group. Ben Taylor-Whitfield and Cade Bennett, who is banged up this spring, give TCU experience on the left side of the offensive line. Cooper Powers sounds like the projected starter at center. Dykes says there are four guys competing for two spots at tackle and four guys competing for two spots at guard. Names to watch include Witten Van Hoy, Ryan Hughes, and Kilian Registe at tackle. Jaheim Buchanon and Noah McKinney are at guard. 

Defense 

• The defense lost key leaders in safety Bud Clark and linebackers Kaleb Elarms-Orr and Namdi Obiazor. Andy Avalos likes the talent and depth he’s working with on each level, but says that new leaders need to step up over the next few months. He thinks it’ll be a tough and scrappy group. 
• Ansel Din-Mbuh and Markis Deal are back to lead the interior of the defensive line. Tristan Johnson, Perry Cole Jr., and Kelten Mickell provide depth and Avalos has high hopes for all three if they can stay healthy. Redshirt freshman Blake Robinett is also in the mix. 
• Avalos expects edge rusher Zach Chapman to be back to full speed in June and he can play boundary or field end. Paul Oyewale returned to practice in mid-spring and that is a big boost for the edge room. There is a lot of competition at the edge positions this spring with Koron Hayward, John Schobel, and a host of freshmen working at the boundary spot. Chad Woodfork and Cheta Ofili are at field end with freshmen like Jesse Ford and Carter Buck. 
• The lost production at linebacker is the main question mark for TCU. It sounds like Max Carroll will start at Mike and replace Elarms-Orr. Hudson Hooper, Sam Haley, and Noriel Dominguez are also in the mix at Mike. There is less experience at the Will spot that must replace a multiple-year starter in Obiazor. Michael Short and Michael Teason are the two upperclassmen to know at the position with freshmen such as Anthony Williams and Dillon Arkansas on their heels. 
• Avalos believes TCU can improve at the nickel spot, a critical part of his defensive system. Julius Simms, who showed flashes as a freshman, and Kylin Jackson are battling it out for the starting spot. It’ll come down to who is the more consistent player. 
• Jamel Johnson returns as the starter at boundary safety after a breakout junior campaign. His leadership has grown. Kaden McFadden is behind him at the boundary safety spot. Jordan Lester and Jacob Fields are in a battle at the field safety spot to replace Bud Clark. 
• Gil Jackson has a chance to be special at cornerback and he’ll play to the boundary most of the time with Vernon Glover Jr. expected to play to the field side. Avalos believes they’ve improved at the position and likes the depth, starting with Kalen Carroll.