Just a week ago, Ken Seals was serving as TCU’s backup quarterback, with no starts to his name during his time in Fort Worth. Now, he finds himself set to lead the Horned Frogs in their most important game of the season: the Alamo Bowl against the USC Trojans.
He has been thrust into the spotlight after quarterback Josh Hoover announced Thursday night that he would enter the transfer portal.
Seals, a Texas native, attended Weatherford High School and was a standout there. He set school records with 5,714 passing yards and 53 passing touchdowns while also adding 712 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. His performance earned him a three-star rating from 247 Sports and he ultimately committed to Vanderbilt.
Seals’ career with the Commodores was an up-and-down one, but it provided him with extensive starting experience early.
As a true freshman in 2020, he started nine games, becoming just the third true freshman quarterback since 1972 to start a season opener in the SEC. He finished the season with a Vanderbilt freshman-record 1,928 passing yards, along with 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
His sophomore season in 2021 was more challenging. Seals started seven games, throwing for 1,181 yards with five touchdowns and eight interceptions before an injury ended his season early. He did not see action in 2022 but returned to the field in 2023 after starting quarterback AJ Swann went down with an injury. In relief, Seals passed for 1,183 yards with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Following the 2023 season, Seals entered the transfer portal and landed at TCU after the departure of Chandler Morris. While backing up Hoover, Seals has seen limited action, primarily in blowouts, totaling 121 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception.
For Seals, the opportunity carries added significance as he prepares for what will be the final game of his college career.
“The fact that I get to come home and play for the team I grew up cheering for in my last college game is a really unique experience,” Seals said. “Now that the opportunity is here, I’m excited to run with it and go ball out one last time.”
Despite the lack of playing time, the team has expressed confidence in Seals and has rallied around him. Wide receiver Eric McAlister announced his decision to play in the Alamo Bowl and voiced his support for Seals during a team meeting.
“I stepped up in the team meeting and told everyone that I’m playing,” McAlister said. “I trust in Ken. Y’all should trust in Ken. He’s been here.”
Now, Seals finds himself in a familiar position: taking over after a change at quarterback. With 16 career SEC starts and multiple seasons of experience, he provides TCU with a steady option as the Horned Frogs prepare to face USC in the Alamo Bowl.
