Josh Hoover focusing on bringing TCU back among Big 12’s elite
TCU quarterback Josh Hoover throws a pass downfield during the first quarter against Kansas State Saturday October 21, 2023 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
LAS VEGAS — The quarterback was a true freshman on the sidelines in 2022, when Max Duggan led the Horned Frogs all the way to the National Championship Game.
Josh Hoover shadowed Duggan, and learned how the Big 12 operated, in terms of speed and physicality. Coach Sonny Dykes played musical chairs with Hoover and Chandler Morris last season, and it resulted in a 5-7 campaign. However, Hoover was able to start the final six games, and had some memorable moments with his arm.
Although he finished 2-4 as TCU’s starter, Hoover threw for 439 yards against BYU, 412 against Baylor, 344 against Oklahoma and 302 against Texas. Having that valuable experience is what gives him confidence approaching the upcoming season, and Hoover is proud of his growth with the offense.
“It’s been awesome, I feel a lot more mature because year two is less unknowns and kind of understanding what the game is all about with taking your offense, and continuing to grow,” Hoover said. “So I’m looking forward to making big strides, not only personally, but with our team.”
The Texas native sat out the entire spring due to an undisclosed injury that required surgery. Now Hoover is back fully healthy just in time before August, and can’t wait to make a splash in the new Big 12. The gunslinger understands that he’ll have a slimmer margin for error because of how deep the league is.
Regardless, Hoover is the clear-cut starter this fall, and doesn’t have to worry about splitting snaps, which should make him more comfortable. Like last season, he always wants to stay ready, so he doesn’t have to get ready, and deliver whenever his number is called.
“I understood that I was in a backup role, but every week I prepared like I was going to be the starter,” he said. “Every week I was preparing, watching film, and needing to be ready to go, so when it was my opportunity I feel like I was good.”
The six-foot-one, 196-pounder doesn’t have the elite size, or amazing athletic ability, but Hoover makes up for it with heart and determination. He even talks to Duggan all the time, and picks his brain if there’s any confusion. After all, Hoover is a very smart athlete, and earned first-team, Academic All-Big 12 in 2023.
The Horned Frogs lost 1,000-yard rusher Emani Bailey, and All-Big 12 tight end Jared Riley to the NFL, but Hoover believes the offense is in a great position approaching fall camp.
He’ll have wideout Jack Bech to throw to, who’s dynamic and also back healthy. The former LSU receiver is very explosive, and has the speed to stretch the field on opposing defenses. Which is why Hoover is making it a priority to build chemistry with Bech and the rest of the offense as a whole.
“There is no ceiling for us, we feel like the sky’s the limit and the only people that are going to beat us is us,” the signal-caller said. “So we have to do what we need to do on offense to execute, and strive to be the best that we can be.”
TCU isn’t receiving much preseason love though. As a matter of fact, no Horned Frogs made the Media’s 2024 Preseason All-Big 12 team, they were picked to finish 10th in the conference, and that doesn’t sit well with Hoover. Still, he knows the team has a lot to prove in a deep league, and eager to show they belong.
“You’re going to have to bring your A-game every single week to win games, and I love that, I love the competitiveness and I think it’s going to be really fun.”
