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Big 12 Media Days: Why TCU QB Chandler Morris Will Have to Bring More Than Talent to Replace Max Duggan

TCU coach Sonny Dykes again praised Max Duggan's leadership as the Horned Frogs will potentially turn to a former Oklahoma quarterback in 2023.
Ryan Chapman|
John E. Hoover / AllSooners

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Oklahoma SoonersTCU Horned Frogs

ARLINGTON — Max Duggan’s final season at TCU was nothing short of sensational.

Despite starting the year as the Horned Frogs backup (former Oklahoma quarterback Chandler Morris won the position battle out of fall camp), Duggan never looked back once he got his opportunity.

Leading TCU to the National Championship game, Duggan finished as a Heisman Trophy finalist, throwing for 3,698 yards and 32 touchdowns while adding another 423 yards and nine scores on the ground.

Morris, who is battling with redshirt freshman Josh Hoover to take over for Duggan, has big shoes to fill on the field.

But Duggan’s impact on the Horned Frogs wasn’t just limited to the damage he inflicted on other teams between the white lines every Saturday.

“What made last year’s team special was leadership,” TCU coach Sonny Dykes said at Big 12 Media Days on Wednesday. “Max was a tremendous, in some ways once in a lifetime leader.

“… We just had guys that willed us to victory. And the challenge is going to be to find those guys.”

Morris, rated as a former 3-star recruit by 247 Sports’ Composite Ranking, lacks the experience Duggan brought to the table.

He’s appeared in 13 games throughout his career, throwing only 108 collegiate passes.

Notably, Morris shredded Dave Aranda’s Baylor defense in 2021.

He completed 29-of-41 passes for 461 yards and two touchdowns, adding another 11 carries for 70 yards and another touchdown in the running game.

Both Morris and Hoover had to digest a new offensive system this spring as well.

Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley landed at Clemson, and Dykes hired Kendal Briles to take the reins of the TCU attack.

The Horned Frogs are expected to play at a much higher tempo in 2023 as a result, which will be another challenge for Morris to navigate.

Hoover had a strong spring game to continue to push Morris in the quarterback battle this past spring as Dykes looks for the entire package to replace Duggan.

But if Morris steps into the job to start the season again, Dykes is challenging himself and the rest of the coaching staff to get Morris up to speed to pick up where the Horned Frogs left off in 2022.

“Like anything else, it’s our job to bring (leadership) out of them. And if we can do that, then anticipate us having a good year.”

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Ryan Chapman
RYAN CHAPMAN

Ryan is co-publisher at Sooners On SI and covers a number of sports in and around Norman and Oklahoma City. Working both as a journalist and a sports talk radio host, Ryan has covered the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team, the Oklahoma City Energy and more. Since 2019, Ryan has simultaneously pursued a career as both a writer and a sports talk radio host, working for the Flagship for Oklahoma sports, 107.7 The Franchise, as well as AllSooners.com. Ryan serves as a contributor to The Franchise’s website, TheFranchiseOK.com, which was recognized as having the “Best Website” in 2022 by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters. Ryan holds an associate’s degree in Journalism from Oklahoma City Community College in Oklahoma City, OK. 

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