Which safety is making up a move up TCU’s depth chart?

8/9/2023
Training camp is all about competition as coaches try to push starters from the previous year to the next level.
At TCU, one of the more interesting storylines that’s emerged at camp is Josh Foster pushing Millard Bradford for the starting nickel safety spot.
According to defensive coordinator Joe Gillespie, the nickel safety spot is the most important position in the 3-3-5. It may come as a surprise that Bradford finds himself in competition after starting 20 games the past two seasons, but it’s just a testament to what Foster has shown the coaching staff this off-season.
“It’s just guys going out and performing,” coach Sonny Dykes said. “Josh has had a really good camp so far, (Millard) is a guy that’s played a lot of football, very experienced guy. Josh has played a lot of football as well. There’s going to be competition at a bunch of spots and that’s one of those spots guys are going to be competing at.”
Foster played in 14 games last season including a start against Oklahoma State. His best game was against Kansas, when he filled in for Bradford due to injury and had seven solo stops in the win the over the Jayhawks.
The senior safety said that experience helped him become sure of himself and the defensive system.
“Just being able to get those reps and get on the field and get comfortable (was big),” Foster said. “Practice isn’t the same as in-game. It’s a different environment with the fans and just being able to get on the field has really helped me be more confident heading into this year.”
It was the most extensive playing time Foster has received since he arrived in Fort Worth in 2019 as a freshman. Foster was actually close to leaving when TCU brought Dykes over from SMU, but Dykes retaining safeties coach Paul Gonzales was huge in keeping Foster on campus.
“Having Coach G here had a big impact on my decision to stay,” Foster said. “I thought about leaving for a minute, but once I heard he was staying I knew he knew who I was a player because he brought me in. I didn’t want to go to another school and start over with a new coach. I was glad that he stayed.”
The feeling is clearly mutual as the switch to the 3-3-5 fit Foster a little bit more than Gary Patterson’s scheme.
“It’s simpler than the old defense was, which allows us to play a lot faster,” Foster said. “There’s not as much as thinking as there was with the old defense.”
Listed at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds Foster is a bigger safety that isn’t afraid to come down and help in run support. He knew he was solid in that regard, but focused hard on expanding his mental game during the spring and summer.
“Being able to communicate the calls, helping people get lined up more,” Foster said. “There’s still a lot to work on skill wise with coverages in stuff, but the thing I most improved on was being more confident in my calls and helping people get where they need to be.”
That’s a key part of the nickel position as you can consider it similar to being the quarterback of the defense.
The battle is far from being decided as Bradford has taken reps with the starters during 7-on-7 and rotated Foster during 11-on-11. For now, Foster is just worried about making the most out of his opportunity.
“It’s been good, just stepping into that role as a older player now,” Foster said. “It’s been interesting, it’s been fun getting more reps with the starters. It’s been really good.”