Versatility, toughness key an improved TCU offensive line

From the players to the staff, the TCU football members agree on which position group has stood out the most during training camp.

The offensive line.

Filled with experienced returners and a few key additions in the transfer portal, the lineman have earned rave reviews and could be the key to the Horned Frogs’ hope for the same offensive success as past teams led by first-year TCU coach Sonny Dykes.

“Typically, how good you’re going to be boils down to how good you are up front,” Dykes said. “I think that’s going to be really important for us to be good up front on the offensive line. If that group can play like we think they can play, that makes everybody’s job easier.”

The unit has played up to Dykes’ expectations .

The defense has had its days, but the overall edge has gone to the offense in the open media portions of 11-on-11. practice There have been big plays by quarterbacks Chandler Morris and Max Duggan. Kendre Miller and Trent Battle have produced chunk plays on the ground.

The success starts with the offensive line.

“Our offensive line has gotten so much bigger since I first got here,” defensive tackle Soni Misi said. “Those guys got way bigger, way stronger, way faster. It’s been a real challenge.”

Like many aspects of last year’s team, the offensive line needed to improve. The Horned Frogs allowed 2.33 sacks per game.

The pass blocking has been better as Duggan and Morris have had time to make plays on most days. The left side of the unit has especially strong as its mostly been anchored by Andrew Coker at left tackle and Brandon Coleman at left guard.

Steve Avila has been a steady presence in the middle and has helped bring the entire line together.

“We’ve got some good leadership. It starts with Steve and Coker those guys that have played a lot of football,” co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach A.J. Ricker said. “Sometimes we confuse playing a lot of football with being a leader. Those guys are truly leaders, whether it’s vocal or by example.”

Ricker has also played a big part in the offensive line’s improvement. His style is intense, but it comes from a place of wanting each one of his players to reach their potential.

SMU transfer Alan Ali has helped the room adjust to Ricker’s style and it’s paying off.

“Alan’s been really good with telling them what to expect out of me. I am a little crazy at times, but there’s a method to the madness. I’m also passionate and I think Alan lets those guys know I love what I do. Listen to the message and not the delivery because we don’t have time worry about feelings,” Ricker said. “I’m going to coach them hard because I feel like I owe that to them.”

Different styles work for different players and Ricker’s style has meshed with the group.

Ricker doesn’t demand perfection, it’s more about toughness and molding the right mentality.

“I don’t care how talented you are. The 10 guys that are going to go on that plane to Colorado are going to be 10 tough dudes. They might not be talented, but we can trust them. I’m not coaching effort, coach can fire me right now. The minute I have to start coaching guys to play hard is the minute I’m going to quit coaching,” Ricker said.

Don’t expect Ricker to find a new job anytime soon.

Dykes wanted TCU to exit camp feeling good about a group of at least 8-10 lineman they could depend on. UConn transfer Robby Rochester, Arizona State transfer Ezra Dotson-Oyetade and former four-star recruit Garrett Hayes have formed the core of a solid second unit.

“You’re starting to see a pretty good rotation there where guys can play different spots,” Dykes said. “We have a lot of versatile players that can bounce around and that’s what we want. It’s a big deal when you can substitute an offensive lineman and rest him a series. Our goal is to roll out eight, nine or even 10 guys and if we can do that’s going to have a big impact on the offensive group.”

The Horned Frogs offensive line won’t have to wait much longer to prove they’ve taken the next step. The opener at Colorado on Sept. 2 is less than three weeks away.

With skill players like Quentin Johnston and Kendre Miller, it’s easy to project impressive numbers on offense by TCU. But the biggest factor in the offense living up to expectations will likely be a more physical and improved group up front.