TCU RB Shaun Nixon to miss 2016 season
TCU’s addition of Michigan transfer running back Derrick Green is now even more important.
At Big 12 media days Monday morning, Horned Frogs head coach Gary Patterson announced that redshirt sophomore running back Shaun Nixon will miss the 2016 season because of an injury. Patterson did not offer any details about the injury.
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Nixon was expected to compete with Kyle Hicks for TCU’s No. 1 running back role after the graduation of Aaron Green, who rushed for 1,272 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2015 as a senior.
Nixon only rushed for 66 yards on 16 attempts in 2015, but showed his versatility by contributing 47 catches for 501 yards and a score after a move to wide receiver. Nixon was back at running back during spring practice. He previously took a medical redshirt in 2014, his first season with the program.
Now with Nixon out, Hicks, a junior who rushed for 262 yards and three touchdowns last year, and Derrick Green, a former five-star recruit who has joined TCU as a graduate transfer, appear to be the team’s top two options. Green rushed for 898 yards and seven touchdowns in three seasons at Michigan.
Junior Trevorris Johnson (43 carries for 262 yards in 2015) and true freshmen Sewo Olonilua and Darius Anderson could be in line for some touches, as well.
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TCU opens the 2016 season with a home game against South Dakota on Sept. 3. A home game against Arkansas follows in Week 2.
For more TCU news, visit PurpleMenace.com.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
