It’s shaping up to be a thrilling fall in Horned Frogs country, with Texas Christian University (TCU) headlining the sports conversation across football, swimming, and basketball. As the 2025-2026 college athletic season kicks off, TCU athletes and coaches are collecting national honors, landing big-name recruits, and preparing for high-stakes showdowns—both on the gridiron and hardwood. Let’s take a closer look at the major storylines electrifying the TCU faithful this August.
Josh Hoover: Golden Arm Contender and Record Breaker
On August 19, 2025, TCU’s star quarterback Josh Hoover was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list, a prestigious nod from the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation. This honor is just the latest in a string of accolades for Hoover, who’s coming off a record-shattering sophomore campaign. Last year, he set TCU’s single-season passing record with a staggering 3,949 yards. His 66.5% completion rate (313-for-471) ranks third all-time in school history, and his 27 touchdown passes tie him for fourth on the all-time list.
Hoover’s consistency and poise have made him a standout nationally. He was one of only four quarterbacks across the country to average over 300 yards passing per game (303.8) while posting a passer rating above 150 (151.1). Heading into the new season, Hoover’s career numbers are already eye-popping: 6,157 passing yards (sixth all-time at TCU), 449 completions (sixth), and 43 touchdown passes (tied for fifth). His career completion percentage of 64.8% is second-best in Horned Frogs history.
Now in its 39th year, the Golden Arm Award honors not just on-field excellence but also character, leadership, and academic achievement. The winner will be crowned in December at a ceremony in Johnny Unitas’ hometown of Baltimore, a night that promises “leadership, legacy, and the best in college football,” according to the Foundation. Hoover’s inclusion on this list, along with his spots on the Davey O’Brien, Maxwell, and Manning Award watch lists, cements his status as one of the top quarterbacks to watch this fall.
But Hoover isn’t the only Horned Frog drawing preseason buzz. TCU’s 2025 football roster is stacked with talent recognized at the national level. Bud Clark (Bednarik, Nagurski, Thorpe), Kaleb Elarms-Orr (Butkus), Eric McAlister (Biletnikoff), and several others have all landed on major award watch lists. The anticipation is palpable as the Horned Frogs prepare for another run at postseason glory.
Sonny Dykes Faces a Legendary Challenge
Guiding this talented group is head coach Sonny Dykes, a steady hand with a 27-13 record at TCU and an 87-65 mark overall. Dykes has built a reputation for quick turnarounds and postseason success, having led four different programs to bowl games. Of course, fans still remember his magical 2022 run to the national championship game.
This season’s opener, however, brings a unique twist. On Labor Day, September 1, TCU takes on North Carolina—a team boasting a staggering 70 new players and, shockingly, led by NFL legend Bill Belichick. Dykes admitted, “Yeah, I was surprised like everyone else. You could’ve gotten pretty good odds a year ago that Belichick would be the coach at North Carolina. Obviously, he’s one of the greatest coaches of all time, with his record and Super Bowl success in New England.”
Belichick’s move to the college ranks has sent ripples through the football world. Even his son, Steve Belichick, North Carolina’s new defensive coordinator, was caught off guard. “No, I didn’t see it coming,” Steve said. “But he just loves to coach football, loves to develop players, loves to be around the game. It’s been that way my whole life, and it hasn’t changed yet.”
Dykes knows firsthand the dangers of facing a team in transition. He recalled TCU’s 2023 season opener, when the Horned Frogs, fresh off a national title appearance, were stunned 45-42 by a revamped Colorado squad led by Deion Sanders. “The challenge for us is that we don’t know exactly what their schemes will look like with new players and a new staff, which makes preparation tricky,” Dykes explained.
Still, Dykes expressed admiration for Belichick’s approach: “I think what will make him successful at UNC is the same thing that made him successful in the NFL—he values productive, hardworking, tough-minded players. I expect his team to be well-prepared and play with a chip on their shoulder.” With both coaches coming from football families and sharing a history of developing top-tier talent, this Labor Day clash promises fireworks—and perhaps a few surprises.
Nicole Christensen Bolsters TCU Swimming Roster
TCU’s recruiting momentum isn’t limited to the football field. On August 19, Nicole Christensen of Lake Forest, California, announced her verbal commitment to join TCU’s women’s swim team for the 2025-2026 season. Christensen, who swims for the Mission Viejo Nadadores and represents Venezuela internationally, brings a resume packed with promise.
She recently finished seventh in the 200 IM (2:21.65) and eighth in the 400 IM (5:02.18) at the Junior Pan American Championships and is currently competing at the World Junior Championships in Romania. Christensen capped her high school career at Santa Margarita Catholic with a sixth-place finish in the 100 backstroke (56.97) and eleventh in the 200 IM (2:03.32) at California’s Division I State Championships.
Her best short course yards times—2:02.94 in the 200 IM, 4:26.08 in the 400 IM, 52.80 in the 100 free, 1:51.54 in the 200 free, and 56.97 in the 100 back—suggest she’ll make an immediate splash in Big 12 competition. Last season, the TCU women finished fourth at the conference championships, led by diver Anna Kwong’s 82 points. Christensen’s arrival, alongside fellow recruits Josephine Brant, Celeste Donegan, Audrey Falkner Worgull, Molly Cullen, Taylor Steelman, and Avery Dillon, has fans and coaches buzzing about the program’s upward trajectory.
Christensen expressed her excitement in her commitment statement: “I’m thrilled to announce my verbal commitment to further my athletic and academic careers at Texas Christian University! I want to thank God for all of His blessings and guidance. I am thankful for my family, especially my mom, for their infinite love, as well as my friends, coaches, and team for their endless support throughout this journey. A special thank you to Coach Logan and Coach Daniel for helping me become the person I am today. I am especially grateful for the TCU coaching staff for giving me this amazing opportunity. GO FROGS!”
TCU Basketball Set for Historic Tip-Off at Tarleton State
Meanwhile, TCU men’s basketball is set to make history of its own. On October 19, the Horned Frogs will travel to Stephenville for an exhibition against Tarleton State, marking the first basketball game ever played in the brand-new EECU Center. The $125 million arena seats up to 8,000 for basketball and nearly 10,000 for concerts, and its opening is a major milestone for Tarleton State and the region.
This will be the third meeting between the two programs, with Tarleton State memorably upsetting TCU 68-59 in Fort Worth back in 2005. Tarleton State head coach Billy Gillispie called the upcoming clash “one of the most memorable and exciting sporting events in Tarleton State history.” Tickets are expected to be in high demand, with season ticket holders getting first dibs on August 21 and the general public on August 22.
Before the big game, the EECU Center will host comedian Leann Morgan and country singer Koe Wetzel, but it’s the basketball matchup that’s generating the most anticipation. For TCU, it’s a chance to test their mettle against a hungry opponent in a raucous new environment. For Tarleton State, it’s a shot at another upset and a grand opening to remember.
As the 2025-2026 season gets underway, TCU’s athletes and coaches are in the spotlight for all the right reasons. Whether it’s Hoover’s pursuit of national awards, Dykes’ chess match with Belichick, Christensen’s arrival in the pool, or the basketball team’s historic road trip, the Horned Frogs are poised for a season full of drama, achievement, and unforgettable moments. Stay tuned—this fall, the action in Fort Worth and beyond is just getting started.
