‘He’s an Animal’: TCU Players Expect Big Things from Hauss Hejny at Oklahoma State

FRISCO, Texas — Oklahoma State quarterback Hauss Hejny’s first pass this season will be his first at the collegiate level, but the TCU transfer didn’t have to throw the ball in a game to make an impact in Fort Worth.

“Hauss’ deep ball is probably one of the best deep balls I’ve ever caught,” TCU receiver Eric McAlister said.

Hejny saw the field four times last year, highlighted by his eight-carry, 48-yard performance on the ground against Cincinnati.

For that reason, most of the conversation surrounding him involves what Hejny brings to the Cowboys’ offense as a runner. TCU cornerback Bud Clark seemed to think that might be a mistake.

“So they talk about him running, but he is an absolutely amazing passer,” Clark said. “Like, tight spiral and everything. He’s gonna get it to you when you need it.”

McAlister said Hejny could do just about everything with his arm, but if he’s going to praise one thing, it would be his deep ball.

“That arc on the deep ball,” McAlister said. “Like you can be running, and you plant your foot and the ball is already in the air, not looking at it, but when you do look, it gives you an opportunity to run underneath it.”

McAlister, who described Hejny as “Mr. Texas” said he was confident the freshman could have replaced starter Josh Hoover last season if the Horned Frogs’ top quarterback needed to miss any time.

Many consider Hoover one of the Big 12’s best quarterbacks this season. The Athletic ranked him ninth overall in the nation and second in the Big 12.

“I think he throws the ball down the field well,” Hoover said, breaking down Hejny’s game. “I think he’s accurate with like short-game, quick-game stuff, but I think down the field he does a good job of being accurate and making plays. And I think, Coach (Doug) Meacham would do a good job, you know, he’s seen guys like that before. I think Trevone Boykin is probably a similar guy, and they both can make plays with their feet.”

Boykin completed 64.9% of his passes while throwing for 3,575 yards, 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during his final season at TCU in 2015 under new Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Doug Meacham, who served as co-OC for the Horned Frogs back then. Boykin also rushed for 612 yards, nine additional touchdowns and averaged five yards per carry. Could Meacham replicate those numbers this season with Hejny?

Not if Hoover’s former backup gets hurt, a fact which Hoover repeatedly stressed the importance of during his interview.

“He’s really, really fast, and I think a lot of people know that,” Hoover said. “So I think that, you know, you’re going to see him do well running the football. I think for him, he’s just got to stay healthy. He’s not the biggest guy in the world, so he’s got to be smart about when he tucks his shoulder and when he just slides and gets down, and Oklahoma State has to do a good job protecting him. … I think if he could stay healthy, he’s gonna have a great year.”

Which brings everything back to Hejny’s athleticism. The first time OSU corner Cam Smith saw his new teammate run this offseason, he thought he was watching a Cowboy receiver. That makes a lot of sense after hearing stories from TCU players.

“I mean, just whenever we ran a read option, I made sure to stay a little extra wide,” TCU linebacker Devean Deal said. “Because he got a little gear to him. But, yeah, no, he’s an animal. On the workouts, he’s running with receivers, and obviously he’s a quarterback, so he got a cannon, but yeah, he’s a good dude.”

To hear TCU players talk about him, it sounds like Hejny stunned players during practice on both sides of the ball with regularity.

“We were live period, and he took it like 90 yards to the crib, just like perfect read,” TCU offensive lineman Coltin Deery said. “He read the d-end, they all crashed, and he just took it to the house. And it was just like, damn, he’s fast.”

Of course, TCU’s defensive coaches didn’t always enjoy watching the scout team quarterback running free downfield.

“He was supposed to hand it, like it wasn’t supposed to be a read,” Clark said. “Just hand it (off) … he pulled it and kept going. He kept going and scored.”

At the time, Clark and the other defensive players loved it. He said Hejny gave them a chance to truly be tested and get better during practice. He also said the quarterback wasn’t afraid to be aggressive if he saw an opening.

“That is what we loved about him,” Clark said. “Like him being able to make those (plays). … He gave us realistic looks. So we love him. I miss him, oh gah lee.”

Clark wasn’t the only Horned Frog who expressed how much they missed their former teammate.

“(Hejny is) funny, he was just, just good time,” Deery said. “You know, he was always, always happy, and never, never not have a smile on his face.”

Deery, who roomed with Hoover last year, said the two TCU quarterbacks hung out a lot socially even though they were technically competitors in the quarterback room.

“I love Hauss,” Hoover said. “I mean, seriously, like he’s one of the best dudes. He was such a great teammate last year for me, like, love being around him. Super hard worker, you know, does everything right. And I’m really excited for him to have an opportunity to play. I think that they made a good choice bringing him in. … I’m excited for him and happy to watch him.”