TCU Horned Frogs Football: 3 Second-Year Players Poised for Stardom in 2023
Who would have imagined that in only one season, TCU football would improve from 5-7 to competing for the national championship? The Horned Frogs switched from Gary Patterson, one of the most successful coaches in school history, to Sonny Dykes, which only served to make matters crazier. The Horned Frogs excelled despite the numerous changes.
Even without Max Duggan, the Horned Frogs will once again be a title contender in the Big 12 Conference. And the reason for that is that Dykes secured a strong 2022 and 2023 recruiting class.
These three second-year athletes have the potential to break out in 2023 and take TCU back to the big time.
#3. Micheal Ibukun-Okeyode, Edge, DL
Although Michael Ibukin-Okeyode first` year wasn't particularly fruitful, the former four-star edge rusher from Rowlett, Texas, will have a bigger role this upcoming season.
Due to the departure of Terrell Cooper and Dylan Horton, Ibukin-Okeyode will have a significantly larger role coming forward.
Ibukin-Okeyode had just one tackle in his first few games for TCU, but he enters his second season as one of the team's most promising defensive ends and could be in a position to unseat a seasoned starter.
#2. Damonic Williams, Defensive Line
Damonic Williams, a former three-star lineman, is the most likely candidate to step up and establish himself as a star on the TCU defensive line given the departure of several key players for the upcoming season. He was the fifth-best recruit overall in the 2022 class.
He was only the 77th-best defensive lineman in his class, but he will much surpass that rating. Williams was fifth on the team in tackles for loss with 4.5, made 27 total stops, and 1.5 sacks in his first campaign. In just his first season, he was effective and had the appearance of a rising star.
#1. Jordan Hudson, Wide Receiver
It will be difficult for TCU's offense to move forward without Quentin Johnson, especially in light of Max Duggan's departure. The offense will be significantly different the next season, but fortunately, they have a second-year wideout who is extremely gifted and poised to make a big impact on the team.
Jordan Hudson, a former four-star and top-100 prospect, will likely be one of the finest TCU receivers in the upcoming season. He was the top prospect in TCU's 2022 class, ranked No. 92 nationally, and the No. 15 receiver, according to the composite rankings. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound target from Garland, Texas, finished his first season with 14 receptions for 174 yards and three touchdowns.
Of all the returning wideouts in the receiving group, Hudson has the greatest star potential.
