It is a difficult task for anyone asked to reproduce what the fourth-round pick Jared Wiley did for the TCU Horned Frogs last season. Wiley finished the 2023 season with 47 receptions, 520 yards and eight touchdowns, an average of 11.7 yards per reception. Was the security blanket for quarterback Josh Hoover to end the season and the dynamic playmaker the Frogs needed in the midfield. So where will the Frogs get that production from this season?
The answer is simple: Meet Drake, this is Dabney.
Dabney moves to TCU from Baylorand Frog fans may remember him from last season when the two rivals played against each other. He finished the game with four catches for 77 yards. Dabney also had the best season by a tight end in Baylor history in the 2023 season, setting the school record for most receiving yards by a tight end in a season with 552 yards and posting the first 100-yard game by a Bear since 1964. He finished the season with a team-high five touchdown passes and was the lone bright spot in a Baylor offense that was near the bottom of the conference standings.
Having been to nearly every fall practice, the similarities between Dabney and Wiley are striking. They both possess the same verticality and size, but also have fantastic evasiveness and good hand-to-hand skills. Dabney has excelled at seam and corner routes and has been a comfortable target for Hoover so far in camp.
Drake Dabney has been named to the nominee list for the John Mackey Award, given to the best tight end in the country!#GoFrogs | #BleedPurple pic.twitter.com/UErgAskpmC
— TCU Football (@TCUFootball) 9 August 2024
Dabney has already attracted a lot of attention in the run-up to the season and was named John Mackey Prize Watchlist that goes to the best tight ends in the country.
Although Dabney has big shoes to fill after Wiley’s performance last season, he has the skill set to seamlessly step into the role and is poised for a true breakout year.
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