The 2025 season signaled a changing of the guard in Fort Worth. With Josh Hoover heading to Indiana via the transfer portal and veteran Ken Seals wrapping up his college career in storybook fashion, TCU finds itself at a pivotal crossroads at the quarterback position heading into 2026.
Let’s start with how things ended. In the Alamo Bowl, it was Seals-formerly of Vanderbilt-who stepped in and delivered a gutsy performance in his first and only start for the Horned Frogs.
Seals went 29-of-40 for 258 yards, tossing one touchdown and one interception while adding a rushing score. His leadership helped TCU rally past a ranked USC team in overtime, 30-27, marking the program’s second straight bowl win.
For a sixth-year senior with a winding college journey, it was the kind of finale most players dream about.
But with Seals now moving on and Hoover already packing for Bloomington, the question becomes: who’s next under center for the Frogs?
Let’s rewind to Hoover’s run. Over three seasons, he carved out a legacy as one of the most productive passers in TCU history.
In 2025, he threw for 3,472 yards and 29 touchdowns while completing nearly 66% of his passes. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story.
Hoover’s arm talent was never in question-he lit up defenses like UNC, SMU, and Baylor-but turnovers were a consistent issue. He threw 13 picks this past season and lost four fumbles, with multi-turnover outings against Arizona State, Iowa State, and Houston proving costly.
Across his TCU career, Hoover tossed 33 interceptions.
Still, there’s no denying his ability to move the football. In 2024, he set the program’s single-season passing record with 3,949 yards and 27 touchdowns.
But again, turnovers crept in-11 interceptions and six fumbles lost that year. Now, Hoover heads to Indiana, where he’s expected to step into big shoes as the likely successor to Heisman winner and projected top draft pick Fernando Mendoza.
Back in Fort Worth, the Horned Frogs are undergoing a broader offensive overhaul. Kendal Briles, who wore multiple hats as offensive coordinator, associate head coach, and quarterbacks coach, has taken a job at South Carolina.
Running backs coach Jimmy Smith is off to Georgia Tech. In their place, TCU has brought in a trio from UConn: Gordon Sammis (offensive coordinator), Antonio Wilcox (running backs coach), and Brad Robbins, who previously worked alongside them.
With a new offensive brain trust in place, TCU dipped into the transfer portal and landed one of the top FCS quarterbacks available-Harvard’s Jaden Craig. A three-year starter and proven winner, Craig brings experience and production.
In 2025, he threw for 2,587 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions. Over his career, he’s amassed 6,075 passing yards with a 60.9% completion rate, 52 touchdowns, and only 12 picks.
Craig’s poise, accuracy, and decision-making make him a strong early favorite to take over the starting job.
But don’t sleep on Adam Schobel. The true freshman and four-star recruit flipped to TCU late in the cycle after fellow quarterback Ty Hawkins decommitted and chose SMU.
Schobel didn’t see the field in 2025, but he brings intriguing upside. At 6-foot-5, he’s got prototypical size and a big arm, and he’s no stranger to the program-his father and uncle both played for the Horned Frogs.
He was one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2025 class, and while he may still be raw, he’ll have every opportunity to compete this spring.
Looking further down the depth chart, TCU added two quarterbacks in the 2026 recruiting class: Jack Daulton from The Woodlands and Jayden Maples from Frisco Wakeland. Both are three-star prospects, but Daulton ranks slightly higher within the class.
Statistically, they both put up eye-popping numbers in high school. Maples threw for 3,075 yards and 36 touchdowns, while Daulton showcased his dual-threat ability with 3,452 passing yards, 46 touchdowns, and a staggering 1,895 rushing yards with 26 scores.
The returning quarterback room also includes freshman David Potter and redshirt junior Jacob Porter. Porter has been with the program for four seasons but has just one career appearance.
Potter, meanwhile, has yet to take a college snap. Both are eligible to return in 2026, giving the Horned Frogs a total of six quarterbacks on the projected roster: Craig, Schobel, Daulton, Maples, Potter, and Porter.
So, what does this all mean for TCU? The quarterback competition heading into spring camp will be one of the most closely watched in the Big 12.
Craig brings experience and production. Schobel brings pedigree and upside.
Daulton and Maples bring long-term intrigue. And with a new offensive staff steering the ship, the identity of this offense is still being written.
One thing’s for sure: the Josh Hoover era is over, and a new chapter is about to begin in Fort Worth. Whether it’s a seasoned Ivy League transfer or a legacy freshman with sky-high potential, the Horned Frogs are entering 2026 with options-and plenty of questions to answer.