Preseason training camp for the TCU football team began Sunday morning, and the Horned Frogs are looking to bounce back after last year’s disappointing 4-8 season

“This is the oldest and deepest roster we have had since the Rose Bowl year,” TCU head football coach Gary Patterson said.

Senior quarterback Matt Joeckel, who transferred from Texas A&M to TCU this offseason, appeared to be the center of attention, and many of the questions directed at Patterson were focused on his new offensive weapon.

“He obviously knows the offense, but this is the first time he is going into a team setting with us,” Patterson said. “He is older and has graduated but we will see how all of things work out.”

Joeckel, who graduated from A&M in the spring, is using his last year of eligibility to play for TCU. 

While with the Aggies, Joeckel spent most of his time backing up Johnny Manziel. Joeckel was able to start the first game of 2013 season against Rice while Manziel was suspended though.

Against Rice, Joeckel completed 14-of-19 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown to help the Aggies to a 28-21 halftime lead.

Joeckel said he can sense the urgency surrounding this season and is ready to contribute.

“There are a lot of hungry guys on this team,” Joeckel said.

“If you walked into TCU on any given day, you would know that the people on this team want to win. Coach Patterson is intense and everyone on this team wants to give each other and the fans a good year.”

While Joeckel received much of the attention, there are five other quarterbacks on the roster gunning for the week one start.

“We don’t know who the starting QB is going to be,” Patterson said. “After two weeks in camp we will narrow it down, but right now the best guy for the job will win it.”

Last year’s starter, junior Trevone Boykin, was another quarterback in attendance for Sunday’s press conference.

Patterson said Boykin is in the best shape since he arrived at TCU and the quarterback divulged on his dieting secrets.

“I started living right and eating right,” Boykin said. “I cut fast food out of my diet completely and lost 15 lbs pretty quickly.”

When asked on what the feeling was going into camp, Boykin said things have been intense and there will not be any let up.

As for a particular game on the schedule the Frogs are looking at?

“We are not going to look past anybody,” Boykin said. “Week one we have Samford and we won’t be sleeping on them.”

The Horned Frogs begin their 2014 campaign against the Bulldogs on Aug. 30. Kickoff from Amon G. Carter Stadium is at 6 p.m.