Josh Hoover is the latest TCU quarterback to turn into one of the top signal-callers in the country.
Entering 2025, he is on watch lists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the Manning Award and the Davey O’Brien Award, each of which is given to the top quarterback. He was also named on the Maxwell Award watch list, given to the most outstanding offensive player.
Here are five things to know about the Horned Frogs’ quarterback.
1. The basics
Sports Roundup
Birthdate: February 15, 2004
Class: Junior
Height: 6-2 Weight: 200 pounds
Position: QB
Birthplace: Heath, Texas
2. D-FW TXHSFB product
Hoover is a local kid who played for Rockwall-Heath High School.
He was a three-star recruit and the No. 33 QB in the Class of 2022 according to 247Sports. After initially committing to Indiana in the summer before his senior season at Rockwall-Heath, he flipped to TCU later that year in December.
In his senior year, he threw for 3,213 yards and 39 touchdowns for an 11-2 team that made a run into the third round of the playoffs.
3. Already holds a record
It didn’t take long for Hoover to make a big impression at TCU. In 2023, as a redshirt freshman, he took over for starting quarterback Chandler Morris after Morris went down with an injury. In his first start, Hoover completed 37 of 58 passes for 439 yards and four touchdowns in a 44-11 blowout win over BYU.
In his first full season as TCU’s starting quarterback in 2024, Hoover lit the Big 12 on fire with a single-season TCU record 3,949 yards. For the year, he completed 66.5% of his passes, threw 27 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and added four rushing scores.
After a bit of a slow start to 2024, Hoover led the Horned Frogs to a strong finish as TCU won six of its final seven games.
TCU QB Josh Hoover can play 👀
Sharp processor who throws with anticipation & keeps his eyes downfield when the pocket heats up. Works the MOF & gets to his backside read more often than any ’26 QB I’ve watched besides Nuss. Rarely takes sacks but has no problem taking a hit if… pic.twitter.com/CrMYHPvbjj
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) July 11, 2025
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4. NFL prospect
Entering his second full season as TCU’s starting quarterback, Hoover is squarely on NFL radars.
A pro scout told ESPN that Hoover projects in the third- or fourth-round range with a chance to move up if he impresses some more. Due to his small 200-pound frame, there’s a need for some physical development.
5. Loyal to TCU
After spring ball, Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava stunningly entered the transfer portal. That left a blue blood program with an opening at quarterback and presumably a ton of money to offer to lure a top-level QB to one of the top SEC teams.
Hoover was one of the players the Volunteers called. In a profile of Hoover done by ESPN’s Pete Thamel, he recounted Tennessee’s courtship of him:
And it’s why when he was golfing this spring and his agent called to let him know Tennessee was interested in him as a Nico Iamaleava replacement, he didn’t even wait to hear what the offer was. He was more worried about hitting his tee shot.
“He didn’t even say a number,” Hoover said. “I just said, ‘No, that’s not what I want to do.’ It was pretty simple.”
When Alex Hoover, Josh’s dad, relays the same story, his voice gets choked up with emotion. He recalls his son telling him: “What kind of captain would I be? What kind of player would I be if I left? I gave my teammates my word that I’d be back.”
There’s no question which school Hoover is loyal to.
Read ESPN’s full profile of Hoover here.
Find more college sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Find more TCU coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.