The 2016 TCU Horned Frogs hope to be great this year, but there are many question marks on this TCU team. In this article we will break down the team position by position and predict how the Horned Frogs will fare in the 2016-17 season.

Who will lead the Frogs at the QB position?

TCU QB's Kenny Hill and Foster Sawyer (Rodger Mallison/Star Telegram)
TCU QB's Kenny Hill and Foster Sawyer (Rodger Mallison/Star Telegram)

QB -   The beloved quarterback question that has been asked many times throughout this offseason has yet to be answered. Will it be Kenny Hill or Foster SawyerGary Patterson has said that it remains a very close battle and the spot will be determined on how the other players perform around the two quarterbacks. Kenny Hill,(who transferred from Texas A&M and had to sit out last year due to the transfer rule) is comparable to previous quarterback Trevone Boykin in the sense that he is a very athletic quarterback. Foster Sawyer on the other hand is a big strong armed quarterback. 

Prediction - Kenny Hill or Foster Sawyer

RB - The starting running back is pretty much a lock in, with Kyle Hicks being the main guy. As for the backup, Shaun Nixon was most likely going to be the back up for Hicks; however, Patterson announced at Big 12 Media Days that he will miss the entire season (injury undisclosed). That leaves Junior tailback Trevorris Johnson, Michigan transfer Derrick Green, and freshmen Sewo Olonilua, Darius Anderson. The two upper-classmen have a great shot at the spot but the edge goes to the freshmen. Sewo Olonilua was listed as the backup RB on the post spring depth chart but that may be that Anderson wasn't enrolled yet. Anderson is an electric player and can make people miss then blow by them with his speed.

Prediction-

1st String - Kyle Hicks

2nd String- Darius Anderson

TCU is loaded at the WR Position

WR- This is the position where the Horned Frogs are absolutely loaded. They return Sophomore sensation KaVontae Turpin and also get back Deante Gray and Ty Slanina from injury. Those aren't the only guys though. Due to many injuries last year, Jaelan Austin and Jarrison Stewart stepped up big for the Frogs. They also return Junior wideout Emanuel Porter who has the ability to be a phenomenal WR. Junior Linebacker Travin Howard told media "Emanuel Porter will be a household name by the end of the season". Frog fans would love to see his prediction come true. The Frogs had one of their best recruiting class this year and brought in many great receivers. The main guy being Isaiah Graham, a freshman out of Bastrop, La. Gary Patterson said that Graham "probably was maybe" the best WR coming out of spring practices. TCU hit the jackpot when it came to transfers, getting Taj Williams who was the nations best JUCO WR and LSU transfer John Diarse.

Prediction-

WR(X) - Deante Gray

WR(H) - KaVontae Turpin

WR(Y) - Ty Slanina

WR(Z) - Emanuel Porter

TE - The tight end position is really between two guys, JR Charlie Reid and True Freshman Artayvious Lynn. Lynn has the size advantage but Reid has been there longer. Look to see the Frogs go with someone who can also act as a WR.

Prediction- Artayvious Lynn

Offensive Line - The offensive line has virtually been decided. This unit will look to Junior C Austin Schlottman to lead them. This is a big line who gained a lot of experience due to injuries last year.

Predictions -

LT - Joseph Noteboom

LG - Patrick Morris

C - Austin Schlottman

RG- Matt Pryor

RT - Aviante Collins

Will the Frogs boast a stellar defense?

Defensive End Josh Carraway (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Defensive End Josh Carraway (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

LE - Senior Josh Carraway will be the starting LE on this defense. He emerged as a play maker last year but struggled with late hit penalties on the opposing QB's. He is now looked on as a leader and has a shot at being a captain. Look for him to be more mature and to be one of the best defensive linemen in the nation.

Prediction - Josh Carraway

DT's - The defensive tackle position for the Frogs is strong at the top of the depth chart but will need some growth from younger players. Senior Aaron Curry will start at one of the spots and the other one is up in the air. The top candidates being Breylin Mitchell, Chris BradleyJoseph Broadnax, L.J. Collier, Freshmen Ross Blacklock and Isaiah Chambers(pending on where he plays on the line).

Prediction - Aaron Curry and Ross Blacklock

RE- The Frogs get back the 2014 Peach Bowl MVP who missed all of last season with an injury. Senior James McFarland has the potential to be great this year. Both McFarland and Carraway will be nightmare for offensive linemen across the Big 12. 

Prediction - James McFarland

LB - After a tough going last year, TCU returns all of their linebackers and also gain the nations number 1 JUCO LB Tyree Horton. This position is hard to predict due to the 4-2-5 formation. Travin Howard is most likely the starting SLB. But he will be challenged by Sammy Douglas who started TCU's first game last year and missed the rest of the season due to injury. The MLB is between Ty Summers and Montrel Wilson. Wilson struggled with his size last year but has bulked up in the off-season. Summers on the other hand shined towards the end of the year and may have secured a spot this year. But it can all be changed if Tyree Horton comes in and steps up. He also has a legitimate shot.

Prediction - 

MLB - Ty Summers

SLB - Travin Howard

Who will fill the void opposite of Ranthony Texada?

CB - The CB position also faces some questions. The first CB spot will be filled by Junior Ranthony Texada who missed most of last season due to injury. He was a great corner for the Frogs as a freshman and will be a big part of this defense. CB Julius Lewis who had a great shot at being the other starter, is expected to miss the entire season. That leaves Tony James(who switched to CB from wideout in the spring), Jeff Gladney, Deshawn Raymond, Steve Wesley and the freshman. Gladney was listed as a starter on the post spring depth chart but don't think that is set in stone. Tony James will get used to the position throughout fall camp and is a versatile athlete and has the speed to keep up with Big 12 WR's.

Prediction - Ranthony Texada and Tony James

Safety's - The 4-2-5 defense allows TCU to play with three safeties .  Denzel Johnson, Kenny Iloka,Nick Orr,Ridwan Issahaku, and Niko Small are looked upon as the  best safeties on the team. The Frogs also received JUCO transfer Markell Simmons who will contest at the position.

Prediction - 

SS - Denzel Johnson

FS - Kenny Iloka

WS - Nick Orr

Specialists -

K - Jonathon Song

P - Adam Nunez

KR - KaVontae Turpin and Kyle Hicks

PR - KaVontae Turpin

Here is the full predicted depth chart

OFFENSE

QB - Kenny Hill OR Foster Sawyer

HB -   Kyle Hicks

         Trevorris Johnson (3rd Down Back)

         Darius Anderson

         Derrick Green (3rd Down Back)

         Sewo Olonilua

WR(X) - Deante Gray

               Isaiah Graham

WR(H) - KaVontae Turpin

               Desmon White

WR(Y) - Ty Slanina

              John Diarse

              Jarrison Stewart

WR(Z) - Emanuel Porter

              Jaelan Austin

              Taj Williams

TE - Artayvious Lynn

        Charlie Reid

LT - Joseph Noteboom

       Trey Elliot

LG - Patrick Morris

        Cordel Iwuagwu

C - Austin Schlottman

     Garrett Altman

RG - Matt Pryor

        Chris Gaynor

RT - Aviante Collins

        David Bolisomi

    DEFENSE

LE - Josh Carraway

       Isaiah Chambers 

       Tipa Galeai

DT - Aaron Curry 

        Chris Bradley

        L.J. Collier

DT- Ross Blacklock

       Breylin Mitchell

       Joseph Broadnax

RE - James McFarland

        Matt Boesen

       Brandon Bowen

MLB - Ty Summers

           Montrel Wilson

SLB - Travin Howard

          Sammy Douglas

          Tyree Horton

CB - Ranthony Texada

        DeShawn Raymond

CB - Tony James

        Jeff Gladney

       Steve Wesley

SS - Denzel Johnson

       Ridwan Issahaku

FS - Kenny Iloka

       Markell Simmons

WS - Nick Orr

         Niko Small

         Michael Downing

SPECIALISTS

K - Jonathon Song

P - Adam Nunez

KR - Kavontae Turpin and Kyle Hicks

        Deante Gray

        Ranthony Texada

PR - KaVontae Turpin

        Desmon White

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About the author
Brad Glaser
TCU Football Writer, College Football Writer.