Can TCU quarterback Josh Hoover find balance between being a gunslinger and game manager?

After the first few days of TCU training camp, Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover wasn’t feeling like himself.

It wasn’t because there was lingering rust from not practicing in the spring because of a back injury or because there was frustration facing defensive coordinator’s Andy Avalos’ new defense for the first time.

While overcoming those things Hoover was fighting through a mental battle during a key point in his development as a quarterback.

“We talked about it all offseason, making good decisions and not being reckless with the football,” Hoover said after TCU’s first scrimmage of fall camp. “I think, the first few practices, I was a little reserved, maybe you could say. I wasn’t playing the game the way I play my game.”

Hoover was thrust into the starting lineup last season for an injured Chandler Morris. It didn’t take long for him to make a strong impression with his arm strength and willingness to stretch the field. In his first collegiate start, Hoover carved up BYU’s defense for 439 yards and four touchdowns.

He had four more starts with at least 300 yards to close this season. The 5-7 season was a disappointment for the TCU program, but Hoover’s potential emergence as the quarterback of the future was one of the lone bright spots.

This offseason was a crucial one for Hoover. And when he wasn’t playing up to his own standards, he leaned on head coach Sonny Dykes for guidance.

“Coach Dykes and I had a talk, and he was like, ‘Obviously I want you to play your game. Play the way you play, but at the same time, you don’t have to play four quarters of reckless football, putting the ball in bad situations,’” Hoover said. “I’m just learning when to take those chances and when not to.”

Finding a balance between being a gunslinger and game manager can be challenging, but it’s a necessary next step if Hoover wants to become one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12.

Hoover had a turnover in every game he played, whether he was starting or coming in during garbage time. He also helped unlock some of TCU’s passing game with his aggressiveness and his determination to feed Savion Williams, TCU’s best playmaker.

Turning to his mentor

Dykes has developed a plethora of quarterbacks during his coaching career, including former No. 1 NFL draft pick Jared Goff at Cal. Goff is a good example of a talented quarterback who understood when to manage the game and when to take chances.

If anybody can help Hoover find that balance, it’s Dykes.

“The biggest part of playing that position in my mind is understanding who you are,” Dykes said. “Everybody’s different. You got guys that can throw it 80 yards and through a wall and that’s good. And then you’ve got some guys who are the best quarterbacks ever who might not be able to throw it 35 yards. I mean truly maybe 40 yards on a good day.

“The guy that can throw 80 is gonna do stuff different than a guy that can only throw 35 or 40. And you’ve gotta say, ‘OK, what am I actually capable of? Where do I fit in that spectrum?’ ”

Dykes has had success with quarterbacks all over said spectrum. Goff was the traditional, dropback passer while Max Duggan’s greatest skill might’ve been his leadership over anything physical.

Whether it was Goff, Duggan or any of his quarterbacks at SMU, Dykes understands the key to unlocking their potential is finding out what they do well, letting them be that type of player and then eventually challenging them to expand their game.

“Josh’s got a big arm and he’s one of those guys that you really don’t think about it that much,” Dykes said. “I mean, he’s not gonna throw the ball 80 yards in the air, but he’s gonna make all these down-the-field throws because the ball is gonna come out on time.

“But what he can do is fit balls into windows that are really, really small. You gotta decide if the juice is worth the squeeze. You know if it’s third-and-13 and we’re down by a touchdown with two minutes, I’ll try to fit in this window because I have to. But if it’s in the first quarter and you’re ahead, then you know what? I might look at the window before moving to the next one.”

Taking charge in camp

Hoover’s training camp was a mental exercise between playing to his strength and also trying to mature his approach to the game. He avoided turnover worthy plays, with just one interception during the open media portions of practices.

At one point in camp, Dykes said Hoover was solid, but not flashy. Some fans worried on social media if that was a bad thing, many would’ve rather heard that Hoover was lighting up camp with deep balls and cross body throws all over the field.

But in actuality, it was a positive sign of Hoover’s development. And as time progressed in camp, it was easy to see that the light was starting to go on for Hoover. During that same scrimmage, Hoover broke the pocket and threw a 20-yard laser on the run to a diving JP Richardson.

He threw a touchdown on a jump ball to Savion Williams, who made a one-handed catch for the score. While Hoover took time to find his way, he never let any frustrations get in the way of his role as a leader.

Hoover’s demeanor and his desire to connect with his teammates never changed and it’s one of the many reasons so many players and coaches believe in Hoover around the building.

“Josh is as good as a leader as it gets,” tight end Chase Curtis said. “I have more trust in him than anyone I’ve ever played with. He’s a guy that I know when it gets bad he’s going to step up, when it’s good he’s going to stay good. Just knowing you have that at the quarterback position is really positive.”

It would take hours to go through all the different quotes of TCU players praising Hoover’s leadership. He just has that type of impact on the locker room.

He has the arm strength and intangibles, now it’s just about the decision-making, which separates good quarterbacks from great ones.

“No one wants to be called a game manager, but the best guys in the history of the sport managed the game the best,” Dykes said. “That’s what made Tom Brady Tom Brady. That’s what made Brock Purdy, Brock Purdy. Those guys are going to finish last in the skills competition, but their teams are going to finish first.

“I think Josh has to understand he’s got those skills, he can make the Brett Favre throws, but does he want the Brett Favre interceptions?”

Hoover provided his answer during camp, especially in the final week. As much as he loves taking his shots up the field and making the defense pay, that’s not the only way you can carve up a defense.

“I have a lot of confidence in our offense. These last six practices we’ve come a long way,” Hoover said on Aug. 14. “I think a lot of that was me. I missed spring, it took me a little bit to feel comfortable again. I feel like we’re starting to hit our stride ... I think our offense has a really high ceiling.

“A part of my job is pushing us to see how far we can get and I believe that’s a really long way.”

The gunslinger is beginning to learn how to manage the game outside of just throwing touchdowns, and that evolution for Hoover could be the difference between another disappointing year and a redemption season for TCU.