TCU QB Casey Pachall successfully out of rehab, set to rejoin team

TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Casey Pachall (4) throws a touchdown pass against the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the first quarter at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. (Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports)

TCU head coach Gary Patterson confirmed to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that star quarterback Casey Pachall has indeed returned to campus and will be taking classes this semester.

“He finished all of his in-patient work and has been in out-patient work up until Friday,” Patterson told the paper. “He did everything we wanted him to do.”

Returning from winter break to school is generally not a big deal, but Pachall has returned to TCU from far more than simply a pleasant break at home.

Pachall was the Horned Frogs’ starting quarterback through the team’s first four games, all wins. He threw 10 touchdown passes compared to only one interception and both his team and his fans were excited to watch him carve up opposing defenses once TCU entered conference play.

However, Pachall never made it to conference play.

Instead, the star signal-caller was forced to leave the team and check into rehab in October, fighting alcohol addiction. He had officially disenrolled from the school and also left the team after being suspended indefinitely by Patterson.

However, Patterson has always maintained that the door would be wide open to return to football for Pachall — it was simply up to the embattled student-athlete to work himself back into playing shape after working the demons out of his mind.

“He met with Campus Life and one of the reasons I feel so good about this is because they feel so good about it. They feel very comfortable with it,” Patterson told the paper.

He threw for 2,921 yards, 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2011 as TCU’s starting quarterback. The team finished with a stellar 11-2 record overall and a perfect 7-0 in the Mountain West.

Pachall’s abrupt departure from the program resulted in a rougher first year in the Big 12 than most had anticipated. He was replaced by freshman Trevone Boykin. The youngster performed admirably, throwing 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions along with 2,054 passing yards. However, the team went 3-6 with the inexperienced Boykin under center.

Over the last few months, Pachall has been forced to deal with experiences far more intense and far more important than merely football.

Here’s wishing him all the success in the world in both his recovery and his his future on the football field.

Auburn quarterback Clint Moseley has left the team with one year of eligibility remaining.

What do you think Gamedayrs?