TCU refortifies offense via transfer portal after stars leave for NFL
Quarterback Max Duggan and wide receiver Quentin Johnston had a wonderful connection in 2022-23. In fact, there's a case to be made that the 60 receptions, 1,069 yards and six touchdowns shared between them last season were one of the major reasons TCU made it to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Both players will soon be playing in the NFL, though, with Johnston expected to be a first-round pick in the 2023 draft and Duggan potentially being a late-rounder and at least an undrafted free agent.
TCU head coach Sonny Dykes has to reload his roster if he wants to again compete for the CFP in his second season with the Horned Frogs. He's undoubtedly hoping many of the returning players will be able to step up, but TCU also just added two interesting new players via the transfer portal in the form of former Oregon State starting quarterback Chance Nolan and Minnesota wide receiver Dylan Wright.
Nolan is certainly an intriguing quarterback option for Dykes heading into 2023.
Last season's opening game starter, Chandler Morris, will be back, but he missed most of 2022 with a severe knee strain — which is how Duggan snagged the starter job and eventually played his way into Heisman Trophy contention. Redshirt freshman quarterback Josh Hoover is also on the roster, but he and Morris have only one career start between them.
On the other hand, Nolan started 20 games over three seasons for Oregon State. An injury last season reduced his playing time to just five games, but his 2021 season provided an intriguing sample size. He threw for 2,677 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 13 games.
No, those aren't Duggan numbers, but he at least has a significant amount of starting experience Dykes can lean on if Morris struggles as the expected starter.
TCU will have a hard time replacing the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Johnston, but in Wright, the Horned Frogs are at least getting size (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) and eligibility. He caught three touchdown passes in 24 games for Minnesota and still has two seasons of eligibility left.
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