Which TCU Horned Frogs are making a move up the football depth chart?

Sensing the team needed a spark after two straight losses, head coach Sonny Dykes made a number of changes to the depth chart against Kansas.

Former Duncanville star Ben Taylor-Whitfield got the start at right tackle in place of Mike Nichols while former blue chip recruit Markis Deal started at defensive tackle in place of Tymon Mitchell.

Whitfield and Deal were two of the gems of Dykes’ first full recruiting class after the national title runner-up season in 2022. Expectations were high when both signed with the Horned Frogs and now they’re both blossoming into key pieces for the Horned Frogs this season and in the future.

With Whitfield in the lineup, TCU had its best rushing game of the season and Dykes was encouraged by what he saw from the right tackle.

“I thought Ben played really, well,” Dykes said Tuesday. “He made some mistakes, but he’s just playing really hard and he’s trying to play physical. I thought he played with an edge and that’s what we gotta do up front. He’s a young player, but I love his effort, loved his attitude and I loved the way he tried to finish (plays).”

It can hard for offensive linemen to make an impact early in their careers. The development in the weight room and on the field takes time, but Whitfield was able to gain key experience last season as a reserve behind Andrew Coker and Brandon Coleman.

That experience allowed him to be prepared when his number was called against the Jayhawks last Saturday.

“It really helped,” Whitfield said. “I remember when I got here last year and I got my first snaps against Houston, when I went in the nerves I had were really high. I didn’t know how to handle it, I went in and did the best I could and throughout the season I became more and more comfortable.

“Going into this season it helped me realize this is just another week, another game, you’ve been here before so just do what you do.”

In Deal’s case, the change came after the Horned Frogs were bullied up front by UCF and SMU. Knowing that Kansas would also do their best to dominate with the rushing attack, Dykes felt Deal gave the defense the best chance to hold up against the Jayhawks’ versatile run scheme.

“Up front defensively we felt like we needed to get more ability to move,” Dykes said. “We played some of the young guys, I thought Markis Deal played well and he has an opportunity to be a very good player. He’s a young guy that has the size and explosiveness. He’s learning to be consistent everyday in his approach.”

Deal, the younger brother of linebacker Devean, was a top-100 prospect in the Class of 2023 and the second highest recruit Dykes signed that cycle. Deal got some reps last season before taking a redshirt year and now is emerging as the centerpiece of the defensive line.

Deal didn’t register a stat against Kansas, but often the job of the interior defensive linemen isn’t to rack up sacks, it’s to clog up running lanes and allow the players around them to make plays. Considering how well TCU played after the Jayhawks’ first two drives, it’s fair to say Deal did his job.

Deal said his approach didn’t change when he learned he would get the start.

“I was just thinking do my job basically,” Deal said. “You don’t want to put too much pressure on yourself, so I was just calm, making sure I make the correct play. It wasn’t anything too big, I was already in the rotation. We have enough guys in the room that anybody could be starting.”

Deal and Whitfield should continue to have big roles when TCU faces Houston at 6:30 p.m. Friday, but they aren’t the only young Frogs making a move up the depth chart.

Freshman running back Jeremy Payne earned more praise from Dykes on Tuesday after leading TCU with 65 rushing yards against Kansas on just eight carries.

“I think you’ll see more of Jeremy (this week),” Dykes said. “His role will certainly get bigger and bigger as he continues to play well hopefully.”

Cornerback Channing Canada also received extended reps in place of JaTravis Broughton, who has struggled the last few games for the Horned Frogs. Dykes anticipates there will be more of a battle going forward between Broughton, Canada and freshman Devondre McGee.

The changes to the lineup provided a boost against the Jayhawks, now TCU is hoping it can have the same impact against Houston.