Quarterback
Trevone Boykin, redshirt freshman
After starting the season as the backup quarterback, moving to running back and assuming the starting quarterback role in a matter of days, Trevone Boykin found his footing against Baylor. He threw for 261 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for 56 yards. The Mesquite native threw three interceptions in his first start against Iowa State, but he spent the week before the game taking snaps at running back and had one full practice at quarterback. Boykin shook off that performance when he took the field against Baylor.
This week, Boykin will face another offense that can light up the scoreboard. Texas Tech put up 49 points against West Virginia. TCU’s offense is averaging 33.2 points a contest, but Boykin can keep opposing offenses off the field by moving around in the pocket and buying time with his feet.
Grade: B+
Running Backs
Matthew Tucker, senior
After the season-ending knee injury to Waymon James, Matthew Tucker was next in-line to pick up the bulk of the carries and lead the Frogs’ rushing attack. His highest total came against Virginia with 65 yards on 12 carries. The Tyler native missed the Iowa State game with an ankle injury and had 21 yards on four carries as the starter the following week against Baylor. Backups B.J. Catalon and Aundre Dean combined for 32 carries against Baylor. Tucker is putting up 45.8 yards per game, just over four yards more than Catalon.
Grade: C+
B.J. Catalon, freshman
B.J. Catalon has seen action in every game this year, but his highest rushing total came against Iowa State when Tucker was sidelined with an injury. The Houston native had 86 yards on 13 carries. He also fumbled the ball two times including one at the Cyclone three-yard line to end a potential scoring drive. Catalon took more handoffs the next week against Baylor and never put the ball on the ground. He found a way to bounce back from his performance against Iowa State and lead the rushing attack, receiving 17 carries against the Bears. Catalon has a team-high 247 total rushing yards.
Grade: B+
Aundre Dean, senior
Aundre Dean has increased his workload over the course of the season. After eight total carries for 29 yards over the first three games of the season, Dean has had double digit carries in each game since. He has put up 152 yards over the last three games. The Katy native hasn’t turned the ball over and is gaining more ground each game.
Grade: A-
Wide Receivers
LaDarius Brown, redshirt freshman
LaDarius Brown has appeared in every game this season and recorded receptions in four. He posted 70 yards on five receptions in his first Big 12 game against Kansas. Brown scored in three out of the last four games on two receptions each game. The Waxahachie native has 154 yards and has started three times this season.
Grade: A-
Cam White, sophomore
Cam White had his best statistical game of the season against Baylor last week. He pulled in four receptions for 51 yards and two touchdowns. The two touchdowns were the first of his collegiate career. The receptions and yard totals were both season-highs for White. White already has more catches (10) in six games than he did in 13 games last year (6). The De Soto native has appeared in every game for TCU this year.
Grade: B+
Josh Boyce, senior
Josh Boyce caught the 18th touchdown of his career this season to become TCU’s career leader in touchdown receptions. Boyce has 381 yards after six games compared to 580 at this point last season. The emergence of fellow receivers Brandon Carter, who leads the receiving corps with 425 yards, and LaDarius Brown have taken some of the pressure off of Boyce. Carter and Boyce have shared the lead receiver role this season. Each one has led the team in receiving yards three times this season. Boyce also showed his versatility on a two-yard rush for a score against Baylor.
Grade: B+
Skye Dawson, senior
Skye Dawson has 199 receiving yards over five games. He has gained 14.2 yards per reception and 39.8 yards per game. He ranks No. 3 on the team with 14 receptions. Dawson has also turned into one of the top kickoff return mans in the nation. He ranks No. 21 nationally in kickoff returns with 27.1 yards per return. He also gets 17.4 yards per punt return. The Mesquite native has run for 87 punt return yards in five games this year. Last year, he posted 59 yards in 13 games when he shared return duties with Ed Wesley.
Grade: B+
Fullback
Laderice Sanders, redshirt freshman
Laderice Sanders has done his job this season by blocking and opening lanes for the running backs. The converted linebacker also has three carries on the season for two touchdowns. He is used as a goal line runner who punches the ball in from short yardage. The Arlington native has played in four games and got his first collegiate carry against SMU.
Grade: B+
Offensive line
Blaize Foltz and James Fry are the only returning starters on the offensive line. They played in all 13 games last year. Eric Tausch saw some action at center last year, but moved to left guard this season. Sophomore Tayo Fabuluje had never taken a collegiate snap before this season since he sat out last year as a transfer from BYU. Right tackle Aviante Collins stepped into the starting role this season straight out of high school. After six games last year, the line allowed seven sacks and finished with 13 in 13 games. This year, the total has risen to eight sacks midway through the season. They gave up five total sacks between Iowa State and Baylor with Boykin at quarterback.
Grade: B-
