Steven Johnson: Time to examine the TCU Horned Frogs’ first depth chart

With the release of TCU’s first depth chart ahead of the season opener at Colorado on Friday, there are finally some answers to some ongoing position battles across the team.

Except for a few.

Head coach Sonny Dykes isn’t ready to announce who will start at quarterback and running back against the Buffaloes. The depth chart officially listed the starter at quarterback as Max Duggan OR Chandler Morris. Sam Jackson was listed third.

Dykes reiterated that the plan is for all three to play on Friday.

“I don’t think it matters (who starts). I know the quarterback position gets the bulk of the attention, deservedly so,” Dykes said Monday. “I think we’re in a good spot. Max Duggan has a significant resume. You go back and look at some of the games (Chandler) played in last year, he played exceptional. They both have experience, they both have done it.

“I would anticipate all three of them playing. And my expectation is all three will play well.”

At running back there was also no starter named. Here’s how the depth chart lined out the running back room: Kendre Miller OR Emari Demerdado OR Trent Battle OR Emani Bailey. Either of the four could potentially start and have had some strong moments throughout camp.

Bailey started to find a rhythm in the final week of fall camp. It should also be noted Miller missed a portion of camp with an undisclosed injury. Dykes said he expects him to be available against Colorado .

“I think we’ll have running back by committee. We’ll see how the game goes and again it goes to our depth. It’s not like we’re not comfortable with all those guys,” Dykes said. “To me one of the biggest surprises has been the development of players at that position.”

Here are four more takeaways from the Week 1 depth chart:

Williams earns start at NT

Damonic Williams is the youngest player on the TCU roster, as he’s currently 17. Despite his youth Williams was able to beat out senior Soni Misi for to start at nose tackle in the Horned Frogs’ 3-3-5 defense. Misi ran with the first-team in the spring and the first half of training camp. As TCU got deeper into camp, Williams came on strong and earned more reps with the starters.

Outside of safety Bud Clark, Williams is the only starter on defense that isn’t a junior or senior. Dylan Horton and Terrell Cooper will start at defensive end with Williams in the middle. There were no surprises at linebacker as Dee Winters will start at strongside linebacker, Jamoi Hodge will be at middle and Johnny Hodges will anchor the weakside linebacker spot.

Ali gets the nod at center

SMU transfer Alan Ali was named the starting center in the depth chart, giving TCU another experienced option up front. Two-time All-Big 12 selection Steve Avila will start at left guard with Brandon Coleman at left tackle. On the right side Andrew Coker will play right tackle. Right guard appears to be the only position still up in the air as it will be John Lanz or Wes Harris at right guard.

Michael Nichols is among the lead reserves at right tackle along with Garrett Hayes (LG), Robby Rochester (LT) and Ezra Dotson-Oyetade (C).

Status of Hodges-Tomlinson?

Before the depth chart was announced, there was curiosity on whether cornerback Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson would be listed. He is listed as a potential starter with Kee’yon Stewart at one spot. Josh Newton was listed the starter as the other.

With Hodges-Tomlinson being one of the more decorated players on defense it raised concern about his status for the opener after he missed a significant portion of camp with an ankle injury. Dykes said there was nothing to worry about though.

“He’s good to go. He’s had a great week of practice, he’s been healthy. He’s ready to go,” Dykes said. Bud Clark was also listed at free safety as a potential starter with Abe Camara. Health wise, he’s another name to watch after adapting well to his role in the 3-3-5 defense.

Receivers still battling

The receiver room might be the deepest at TCU and the depth chart shows that. At the slot receiver spot, Taye Barber was listed as a potential starter with Derius Davis or Gunnar Henderson. Davis led the team in receptions last year while Barber was third and has over 100 career receptions.

Henderson, a former walk-on, was one of the name coaches constantly mentioned as having a solid camp. Henderson caught more than 80% of the targets he received at camp. Quincy Brown started fall camp with the first-team but is listed third at the X-receiver spot behind Quentin Johnston and Blair Conwright.

Savion Williams closed the preseason with a strong two weeks of practice and earned the start at the Z-receiver. True freshman Jordan Hudson is pushing Blake Nowell for second on the depth chart behind Williams. As the season progresses Hudson could emerge as the starter out of the three.

Here is the complete depth chart:

QB: Max Duggan OR Chandler Morris, Sam Jackson

RB: Kendre Miller OR Emari Demercado OR Trent Battle OR Emani Bailey

X-WR: Quentin Johnston, Blair Conwright, Quincy Brown

Slot: Taye Barer OR Derius Davis OR Gunnar Henderson

Z-WR: Savion Williams, Blake Nowell OR Jordan Hudson

Y-WR: Geor’Quarius Spivey, D’Andre Rogers OR Chase Curtis

TE: Jared Wiley, Dominic DiNunzio, Carter Ware

LT: Brandon Coleman, Robby Rochetser

LG: Steve Avila, Garrett Hayes

C: Alan Ali, Ezra Dotson-Oyetade

RG: John Lanz OR Wes Harris

RT: Andrew Coker, Michael Nichols

Defense

DE: Dylan Horton, Caleb Fox OR Colt Ellison

NT: Damonic Williams, Soni Misi, Tymon Mitchell

DE: Terrell Cooper, George Ellis, Lwal Uguak

SAM LB: Dee Winters, Zach Marcheselli

MLB: Jamoi Hodge, Shadrach Banks

WILL LB: Johnny Hodges, Thomas Armstrong

CB: Josh Newton, Noah Daniels OR Ish Burdine

FS: Bud Clark OR Abe Camara

Nickel: Millard Bradford, Josh Foster

SS: Mark Perry, Namdi Obiazor

CB: Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinsin OR Kee’yon Stewart

Special teams

PK/K: Griff Kell

P/Holder: Jordy Sandy

LS: Brent Matiscik

PR: Derius Davis, Taye Barber

KR: Derius Davis OR Taye Barber