5 TCU players to watch against Iowa State on Friday

AMES — TCU parted ways with longtime head coach Gary Patterson in the middle of the season.

Patterson led the TCU program from 2000-2021 and was the reason TCU even got an invite to the Big 12 in the first place. Patterson reportedly had a meeting with school and athletics department officials after TCU’s loss to Kansas State, which dropped the Horned Frogs to 3-5 overall. They wanted Patterson to stay until the end of the season, but he declined.

TCU has shown some signs of life with interim coach Jerry Kill and now is one win away from bowl eligibility at 5-6 despite injuries to key players.

Here are five Horned Frogs to keep an eye on Friday when they visit Jack Trice Stadium and Iowa State.

QB Max Duggan

Max Duggan missed a few games due to injury but returned in TCU’s last game against Kansas and led the Horned Frogs to a narrow 31-28 victory.

The Council Bluffs Lewis Central product has had an up-and-down season. He’s completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,832 yards, 15 touchdowns and four interceptions. Duggan has passed for less than 200 yards three times this season.

A dual-threat quarterback, he also is TCU’s leading rusher. The junior has rushed 91 times for 324 yards and three touchdowns.

WR Quentin Johnston

Quentin Johnston, like Duggan, has missed games due to injury, including TCU’s last game against Kansas. If he plays against Iowa State, Johnston will provide a deep threat for the Horned Frogs.

Johnston has 615 yards and six touchdowns on 31 catches. He’s second in the Big 12 with 19.2 yards per catch, behind only Oklahoma’s Marvin Mims (22.2).

RB Kendre Miller

Kendre Miller has taken over for Zach Evans, who has missed the last five games with a turf toe injury.

Miller has filled in well, rushing 83 times this season for 623 yards and seven touchdowns.

In the six games Evans has played in, he’s rushed 92 times for 648 yards and five touchdowns.

WR/KR/PR Derius Davis

Derius Davis seems to be one of the TCU star players who hasn’t dealt with injury this season.

He’s second on the team in receiving, catching 31 passes for 456 yards and a touchdown. Davis also has been impressive in the return game.

He’s returned nine kicks for 280 yards and a touchdown. Davis also has returned nine punts for an average of 10.2 yards per return.

DB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson

If Tomlinson seems like a familiar last name for a TCU player, that’s because his uncle is legendary TCU running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson has been making a name for himself as a Horned Frog. He’s proven to be one of the best defensive backs in the Big 12.

He has two interceptions, five pass breakups and a forced fumble to go along with his 38 tackles and two tackles for a loss.

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