Frog Spotlight: TCU LB Cooper McDonald and CB LaMareon James exceed expectations

The two transfers shined against the Jayhawks.

For starters, this article could be a weekly Jack Bech highlight. The senior receiver is having an incredible year. He hauled in 10 receptions for 131 yards and two touchdowns in a win against Kansas this past Saturday. Bech ranks seventh in catches, second in yards, and third in touchdowns across all of college football. While Bech will likely receive his praises (at least) once more this season, the defensive will instead receive a shoutout this week. More specifically, two defenders who weren’t exactly expected to be prime contributors at the beginning of the season. These two players, LaMareon James and Cooper McDonald, each came away with massive plays—shifting the flow of the game.

James, a transfer from Old Dominion, made arguably the best defensive play of the young season. After a TCU punt late in the fourth quarter, Jalon Daniels and the Kansas offense began play at their own 17-yard line, aiming to decrease the deficit to a one-score game. In less than a minute, the Jayhawks made it to the Horned Frogs side of the field. Following a quick, eight-yard completion for a first down, Daniels dropped back to throw again. Kansas snapped the ball before the Horned Frogs’ defense was set. Despite the disarray, James stayed glued to his man, intercepting Daniels using only one hand.

James statistical output was rather light on the day (1 tackle, 1 interception), but his impact goes beyond the box score. Daniels completed only 15-of-34 passes against the Horned Frogs—good for a QBR of 36.5. James has proved to be TCU’s most consistent cornerback through the first quarter of the season.

Aside from James, McDonald has exceeded expectations thus far. Following four seasons on the west coast, split between Washington and San Diego State, McDonald transferred to TCU for his graduate season. The Texas-native has recorded 18 tackles, two-and-a-half tackles for loss, one-and-a-half sacks, and a pass deflection so far this season. Against the Jayhawks, McDonald totaled three tackles and a sack.

McDonald’s most noteworthy play came with just under three minutes to go. Looking for an open receiver, Daniels fled the pocket, scrambling to the left. McDonald chased down Daniels to a record a would-be sack if not for an intentional grounding penalty on the junior quarterback. A two-sack day would’ve been a career high for the fifth-year edge rusher. Less than a minute later, McDonald dropped back in coverage to force an incompletion to essentially put an end to Kansas’ comeback hopes.

The Frogs’ defense has been perhaps TCU’s most lackluster unit in 2024. Following a 66-42 drubbing at the hands of the SMU Mustangs, the Horned Frogs allowed the Jayhawks to score 27 points. The defense allowed 346 yards on the day and less than 200 yards against both the pass and the run. After two subpar performances against the run, TCU held the Jayhawks’ run game to less than five yards per carry. Even though it wasn’t the most stout effort against the run, any improvement is noteworthy for a reeling Horned Frogs defense.