TCU football preview: Horned Frogs’ linebackers poised for big year
Despite being ravaged by injuries, TCU’s linebacker room was excellent most games during the 2022 season.
Dee Winters was one of the Horned Frogs’ top pass rushers and was selected in the NFL draft, but TCU returns two starters in All-Big 12 linebacker Johnny Hodges and Jamoi Hodge at middle linebacker.
Replacing Winters will be tough, but TCU has a natural replacement in Shad Banks, who got extended reps due to all the injuries in the spring. With most of those reserves returning and gearing up for practice, linebacker could be one of the deeper positions for the Horned Frogs.
The Star-Telegram continues its TCU preview with a look at the linebackers:
Linebacker preview
Players listed on the roster: Shadrach Banks, Namdi Obiazor, Jamoi Hodge, Marcel Brooks, Thomas Armstrong, Terrence Cooks Jr., Jonathan Bax, Kylan Salter, Max Carroll, Johnny Hodges, Zach Marcheselli, Ryan Quintanar, Hudson Hooper, Matthew Kerr, TJ Willson, Blake Baldwin, Jake Boozer, Luke Lingard
Production from 2022: Hodges led TCU with 87 tackles and was voted Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and second team All-Big 12. Hodge started 15 games and was third on the team with 82 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Banks posted 29 solo tackles and had a career-high 10 in his lone start against Kansas State in the Big 12 championship game.
Obiazor, a former safety, had 49 tackles with 31 solo. Brooks had five tackles in three games due while Marcheselli had nine tackles.
Projected starters: Johnny Hodges, Jamoi Hodge, Shadrach Banks
Next up: Jonathan Bax, Marcel Brooks, Thomas Armstrong, Namdi Obiazor
Breakdown: TCU is in good shape with its linebacker group as Hodges and Hodge return to lead the way defensively. They both enjoyed success in the first year of the 3-3-5 and could cause more havoc in year two. Banks had a tremendous spring and he’s beginning to put everything together. His blend of size and strength was evident as he was always around the ball and made the most of the reps he got with Hodge sidelined in the spring.
Bax was another player that had a strong spring and the true freshman also got some first team reps in the backend of spring football. He’s transitioned nicely from an edge rusher in high school to more of a true backer. Brooks, Armstrong and Cooks all missed most or all of last season. When healthy, Brooks could provide a pass rushing specialist and Armstrong made an impression last fall before his injury.
Assuming TCU has better injury luck, it’s a second unit that’s solid. Obiazor could also contend for a significant spot in the rotation. The former safety looked comfortable at linebacker in the spring and brings athleticism as a potential weak side backer.
Freshman Max Carroll was a four-star signee from Memphis in the 2023 class and was a standout on both sides of the ball at the high school level. He’s another player with impressive upside. Salter missed his senior season at Cedar Hill and is still working back from that injury.
Storyline to watch in fall camp: Can Shad Banks continue to dominate like he did in spring?
Biggest question: How quickly will be the players that suffered significant injuries a year ago get up to speed?
Best case scenario: The trio of Johnny Hodges, Jamoi Hodge and Shad Banks is one of the best in the Big 12 and Banks emerges as the unit’s best player with a breakout season. Bax, Brooks and Armstrong provide the type of depth the Horned Frogs didn’t have a season ago.
Worst case scenario: TCU’s starting linebackers remain excellent, but the Horned Frogs are once again hit by injuries and forced to rely on young players like Bax and Carroll to back up the starters.
