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Paper Tigers or Young Turks, the Class of 2010-the analysis to beat all others

Posted on February 3, 2010
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TCU again will sign a smaller group of athletes than most programs and a group that will include a athletes recruited on national scale as well as some who beyond the most ardent Texas football fans are not well known. Also, as typical there will be more than a few athletes who we probably won’t know what position they will end up playing until much later and of course there is planty of speed.  But don’t mistake this bunch for your typical horned frog recruiting class, the paper tigers so often Coach Gary Patterson likes to call his recruits.  These kids will come to the campus with higher expectations and a little more attitude than your typical signing class.  These recruits have dropped previous commitments to schools such as Nebraska, Arizona, Utah, Minnesota, and Oregon to be a part of the TCU program.  Kids such as David Johnson, Stephen Bryant  and Michael Thompson selected TCU early and then stuck to that commitment despite numerous approaches from larger schools. And Ethan Grant has already competed against college kids and with the world watching.

This may be one of the best group of players Gary Patterson has brought to TCU and expect a lot out of this class, they do.

Grading the class:

Meeting current needs: B+ The most urgent needs for this group where getting depth at safety and cornerback.  Elisha Olabode, Travaras Battle-Smith, Kevin White, Jonathan Anderson, Matt Anderson and probably Antonio Graves and others will help keep the defensive backfield stocked with very good talent.

Meeting future needs: B+ With the group of seniors at wide receiver next year that includes Jeremy Kerley, Jimmy Young, Curtis Clay, Bart Johnson & Alonzo Adams the class of 2010 needed to help fill the loss of talent in 2011 and beyond.  Chris Hawkins alone fills a huge spot,  but the speedsters in the group such as Ethan Grant and Curtis Carter may make this a group that changes how we look at the TCU offense.  Geting Matt Brown is a key addition at QB and he will compete very well with Casey Pachall for playing time after Andy Dalton leaves.  On the lines, David Johnson and Clifton Murphy add tremndous support on the defense though Murphy may not join the team until the spring of 2011.  On the offense Nykiren Wellington and Michael Thompson are athletic, quick and big.

Speed: A+ Probably not a faster bunch anywhere, period, give it up. Reported 40s under 4.5: Ethan Grant 4.35, Curtis Carter 4.37, Matt Anderson and Stephen Bryant 4.45.  No recruit is over 5.0 including the linemen and even the kicker runs under 4.7.

Who will get early playing time:

David Johnson DT may need to learn a little more than how to bull rush but kid looks like he will pick it up quickly.  Also Travaras K. Battle-Smith with depth at cornerback will be a huge issue and Battle-Smith is expected to compete early.  Spring ball will be huge for both of these players.  Others: Ethan Grant and Curtis Carter have speed you just don’t want to hide for very long and Ryan DeNucci may be key to special teams from day one.  Elisha Olabode may not get much press but may be the steal of the group and could compete very early for PT at cornerback also. 

The Class of 2010:

Enrolled (2) (also enrolled is Dwight Pernail Smith, originally class of 2009 and all-around studly kinda of RB):

DB Travaras Kavaughn Battle-Smith 5-10/175/4.4 San Antonio, TX (Jay) All district and SA all area, speedster had 67 carries for 635 yards & 8 TDs rushing, 5 rec for 96 yards & 1 td receiving. On d had 2 Ints and 69 tackles. 200M best 21.5. Transferred from Forsyth Parsons in Georgia after sophmore year

http://rivals.yahoo.com/video/recruiting-f…hlights-1-51764

DT David Allen Johnson, II 6-2/270/4.7 Argyle, TX 2009 1st team 3A All-State, 9-3A MVP, a rare for a defensive player, led the team with six sacks and a staggering 25 tackles behind the line of scrimmage this season, while collecting 102 total tackles. 2008 9-3A Defensive lineman of the Year, HM 3A All State DL, 12 sacks in 2008. TCU is his dream school.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vob3u7mzo_8…player_embedded

Scout Inc Evaluation Johnson is one of those kids that is going to lace it up and make the dude lined up across from him earn his scholarship. He is a high motor and physical kid and can be disruptive in the trenches. He has solid size, but is a bit tough to place position wise. He moves around the defensive line now and will likely do the same in college mainly settling in as a bit of an undersized defensive tackle. While you wish he was a little bigger you do see the kid can be productive. He can be explosive off the ball. While lacking ideal bulk he is tough because he can fire off the ball low and win the leverage battle. He can derive power from his lower body and strike a blow and stand a blocker up and at times knock him back. You wish he was more consistent at shooting his hands and creating better separation. He flashes the ability to quickly press a blocker off of him and slip to half-a-man and rip and shed from the block. He displays good football instincts. He hustles to the ball and displays solid speed. With his motor he can offer support on the perimeter. He is no textbook tackler, but he can punish and throw down ball carriers. As a pass rusher he keeps it simple but seems to have a solid plan. He can create some initial push with a bull rush and displays the ability to slip to the shoulder and clear the blocker by being active with his hands. Johnson is a fun kid to watch. He is able to combine a motor, a physical style, and some smarts to be productive. Bit of a sleeper at the defensive tackle spot and though he will likely be a little undersized should be a disruptive college defender. Became TCU’s First Class of 2010 commitment shortly after the Class of 2009’s national siging day.

Signees:

QB Matt Brown 6-1/175/4.7 Allen, TX Had over 10,000 yards total offense while at Allen and 116 TDs.

QB/ATH Sam Carter 6-1/210/4.52 Alief, TX (Hastings) athletic QB in 2009 named District 18-5A Offensive MVP & 1st Team QB, , was nominated for an Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year award, threw for 1,791 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 995 yards and 12 scores.  As a junior at Houston Sharpstown, he supplied 2,798 passing/rushing yards and 28 total TDs.  At one time rated as high as the #3 prospect in Texas by Rivals.

http://texasfootball.com/mediamgr/player.php?sid=5239&s=1245181502-1228097324 

Carter is a very similar version to Christian Green from Florida only Carter is left handed and may be a more experienced passer at this point. In the right offense Carter is a QB yet he also has size and athleticism to become a running back, safety or even wide receiver if moved from QB. He has an over-the-top delivery which is rare for a lefty and this helps negate deflected passes and compensate for a lack of ideal height. He shows good drop speed and a quick set up in the pocket. Works from under center and out of the shotgun and gets rid of the ball quickly in the short passing game. Shows good zip and arm speed on underneath routes and has shown the ability to fit the ball into tight spots when his feet are set. Does a terrific job of buying time and moving around the pocket to make the throw and does not show a run first mentality. You can see he works to play within the scheme and use his athleticism only when he has to create after things break down. He is elusive and shows very good speed for the position. he can make the first defenders miss and shows very good change-of-direction for a QB. We are not convinced he is a speedster, but he runs competitively well in the open field. Carter is not a guy that is going to be able to just drive the ball vertically or make every college level throw from within the pocket with power, but he does show good arm strength. Overall, Carter is an impressive athlete and thrower and he displays solid accuracy, toughness and a competitive temperament. Good prospect and very good athlete. RB/WR Ethan Grant 5-10/175/4.35 Coconut Creek, FL (North Broward)  speedster originally committed to Oregon.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyn3YN4Qm50&feature=fvw WR Chris Hawkins 6-1/175/4.5 Channelview, TX originally committed to Minnesota.

OT Nykiren Wellington 6-6/270 San Antonio, TX (Holmes)

OT/DT Michael Thompson 6-5/310/4.9 Farmersville, TX 1st Team 3A All-State  DE/TE Steven Bryant 6-4/215/4.45 New Deal, TX 32″ vert 2008 MVP of the district at QB/FS, All-South Plains DB, AP 2nd Team All-State DB, TSWA 2nd Team All-State DB, Kick ReturnerDE Clifton Murphy 6-4/240/4.7 Little Elm, TX  Originally from Detroit, Murphy has made a big impact at Little Elm the last few seasons.  Potential greyshirt at TCU if needed.LB/DE Blake Roberts 6-4/226/4.5 Tyler, TX (Lee) 2009 104-Tackles, 2-Sacks, 3-CF, 1-Interception, 6-TFL 2008 recorded 119-tackles, 8-QB pressures, 4-sacks, 7-TFL, 2-CF, 1-Interception, as a junior, and was a 3rd-Team All-Smoaky.com selection. http://www.maxpreps.com/FanPages/MaxPrepsTV.mxp/VideoID-813fa184-a9ac-43a6-b496-363e5f7b93bf 

Scout Inc Evaluation   Roberts is a very impressive athlete with a great blend of size and vertical speed. He is a bit straight-lined but his great burst and acceleration makes him very disruptive near the line of scrimmage as an outside run supporter. Has great height and a long, well-built frame that still has plenty of room for future physical development making defensive end a likely possibility. A relentless pursuer. Lacks great hip-fluidity but is a great vertical attacker with good closing speed. Very good blitzer. Shows some wasted motion changing direction in space but redirects well in the short-area and recovers quickly off false steps. Chases well from the backside and covers a lot of ground with his lengthy frame; an effective reach and grab type of tackler from the backside and a collision tackler from the front. However, he struggles breaking down in space and tends to overrun the ball carrier and the outside zone cutback. Needs to improve leverage as a tackler and pursuer; we question his ability to sift fluidly through the fast moving traffic at the next level. Can get caught up in blocks and is not a great shedder at the point of attack but can certainly jolt blockers back and hold his base. Explosive closing in space but tackles high and does not consistently put his head around the football and wrap up low; could struggle breaking down/mirroring on the perimeter versus quicker college skill players. Overall, Roberts is a very explosive perimeter attacker who is falling under the radar; a bit wild but his combination of size and acceleration can’t be coached; technique can be polished. Coverage skills are raw making defensive end a good possibility. An outside ‘backer in a 3-4 defense may be an ideal spot; flexibility and bend off the edge as a pass-rusher would still need improvement. Notes Committed February of junior year…

S Jonathan Anderson 6-2/201/4.6 Corpus Christi, TX (Carroll) safety prospect but can move to OLB, explosive hitter.

S Elisha Olabode 5-10/180/4.5 Cedar Hill, TX Extremely quick and likes to hit, can play CB or safety, over 10 offers including Neb and Wisc.  Voted DFW Defensive POY on HSGametime, had a phenomenal senior season and named to the first-team of APSE 5A all-state team, had 76 tackles, 10 TFL, 4 picks and 5 touchdowns. (a 108-yard return for a touchdown off a missed field goal, a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown and three punt returns for touchdowns of 73, 50 and 48 yards).

Scout Inc evaluation:

Elabode has everything going except physical size. He is extremely athletic and quick in the secondary. Even though he will need to gain some overall strength, he is an excellent football player. Breaks quickly out of his back peddle and closes quickly on the perimeter run and in the passing game. Very instinctive and reactive. Takes proper angles to the football and does not hesitate to bring the wood when making a hit on the ball carrier. Shows toughness and courage not shying away from bigger players. Will chest up tackle and drive legs on contact to finish the play. Sniffs out the screen and flare pass to often make a play behind the line of scrimmage. Fills the running lanes in short yardage situations and goal line to make a play in the backfield before blocking develops. An excellent pass defender that can play safety in both two deep and three deep coverage. Reacts quickly to all types of passes but is especially impressive on balls thrown in front of him; times the interception or deflection to perfection. Possesses loose hips and can turn and change direction fluidly with no loss of motion or body control. Athletic enough to play man to man coverage; could possibly play corner at the next level. Elabode has everything except the overall physical dimensions. He is one of those guys that plays much bigger than his size and can be a major contributor to the program he ends up.

http://video.maxpreps.com/video/pQRkioawF0uDZauPyQEyfw/high-school/IdvJoXe_bEuL6o9xI59cpg/football-fall-08/cedar-hill-longhorns/elisha-olabode—cedar-hill,-tx.htm

Ath/LB Marcus Mallett 6-1/205/4.6 Cleveland, TX District 22-3A MVP, HM all state LB also played RB (445 yds) for 10-1 Indians.

Scout Inc Evaluation:

Mallet is a big play defender with good production on or near the line of scrimmage. Is a guy who is not going to blow you away with great size and speed measurable on paper but plays bigger and faster. Has adequate height, length and the room to add a lot of bulk to his leaner frame. Has a good nose for the ball. Takes sharp, direct pursuit angles and is a very active defender. Excels at chasing from the backside and closing in space with his very good closing burst. Gets depth in coverage and shows better-than-adequate athleticism and ball skills. Makes solid contact as a tackler. Shows he can fill hard between the tackles as well and beat blockers to the hole with his good first-step quickness and downhill burst. However, he does show difficulty when blockers reach him at the second level. At times will open up his whole body to the cutoff and struggle to disengage; needs added bulk, strength and overall size to play the strong side, where he projects at the next level. Could struggle breaking down sharply on quicker skill players and when defending the cutback; is more of a straight-line, vertical attacker. Overall, speed and good burst project to be more effective in the short-range; has a good motor but does not make a lot of plays sideline-to-sideline. That said, we could see recruiting start to pick up for Mallet. He has a frame for continued physical development and more-than-adequate explosiveness closing in space that could make him disruptive in a heavy pressure scheme in college.  

CB Kevin White 5-10/175/4.5 Round rock, TX (Stony Point) Had a very good showing in the playoffs, great closing speed, plays like a true shut-down corner. Had 5 ints in 2008, 2nd Team All-District, 3rd team All-Area.

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncf/recruiting/tracker/player?recruitId=71916&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncf%2frecruiting%2ftracker%2fplayer%3frecruitId%3d71916

ATH/S Matt Anderson 6-2/2010/4.45 Vanderbilt, TX (Industrial) Originally committed to Utah.  Rushed for 1,601 yards & 24 TDs in 2009 though hampered by injuries.  Probably moves to SS or OLB.

http://www.lonestargridiron.com/2008/11/03/must-see-plays-industrial-cobras-versus-hitchcock-bulldogs/#comments

ATH/WR Curtis Carter 5-11/171/4.37 Stonewall, LA  (North DeSoto) 41″ vert. Originally committed to Nebraska.  Plays QB but recruited as a WR or DB.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53jcHpleDiA 

ATH/WR/S Antonio Graves 6-1/210/4.6 Texarkana, TX (Pleasant Grove) Plays QB and recruited as a safety. All Smoaky Heart & Soul  write-up: Graves did it all for the Hawks, starting and starring at QB and completing 124-223 passes for 2,532-yards and 27-TD’s, while rushing for 1,147-yards on 174-carries and 18-TD’s. Graves also starred at linebacker with 83-Tackles, 16-Tackles for Losses, 2-Sacks, 3-Caused Fumbles, 2-Interceptions, 3-Fumble Recoveries for TD’s, one pass broken up and was the District MVP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmkL31EG5DU

K Ryan DeNucci 5-10/170 Austin, TX (Anderson)

http://www.cpotx.com/images/stories/video/…ccisrstream.wmv

Three new Frogs enroll at mid-term

Posted on January 13, 2010
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Three new football frogs have enrolled: 

Dwight Pernail Smith, Jr. 5-11/220/4.32 Carthage, TX MVP of 3A Championship game in 2008, rushed for 2,820-yards and 41-TD’s on 239-carries, caught 2-TD passes, and broke single season school records for rushing yards and TD’s, he was the District Co-MVP, All-State, TSWA All-State Offensive Player of the Year, and All-Smoaky.com Player of the Year along with 1st-Team All-Smoaky.com. Signed in February 2009 but transfer grade issues kept him away until spring 2010.

http://community.prepticket.com/video/vide…3AVideo%3A87621

DB Travaras Kavaughn Battle-Smith 5-10/175/4.4 San Antonio, TX (Jay) All district and SA all area, speedster had 67 carries for 635 yards & 8 TDs rushing, 5 rec for 96 yards & 1 td receiving. On d had 2 Ints and 69 tackles. 200M best 21.5. Transferred from Forsyth Parsons in Georgia after sophmore year.http://rivals.yahoo.com/video/recruiting-f…hlights-1-51764

DT David Allen Johnson, II 6-2/270/4.7 Argyle, TX 2009 1st team 3A All-State, 9-3A MVP, a rare for a defensive player, led the team with six sacks and a staggering 25 tackles behind the line of scrimmage this season, while collecting 102 total tackles. 2008 9-3A Defensive lineman of the Year, HM 3A All State DL, 12 sacks in 2008. TCU is his dream school.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vob3u7mzo_8…player_embedded

Scout Inc Evaluation Johnson is one of those kids that is going to lace it up and make the dude lined up across from him earn his scholarship. He is a high motor and physical kid and can be disruptive in the trenches. He has solid size, but is a bit tough to place position wise. He moves around the defensive line now and will likely do the same in college mainly settling in as a bit of an undersized defensive tackle. While you wish he was a little bigger you do see the kid can be productive. He can be explosive off the ball. While lacking ideal bulk he is tough because he can fire off the ball low and win the leverage battle. He can derive power from his lower body and strike a blow and stand a blocker up and at times knock him back. You wish he was more consistent at shooting his hands and creating better separation. He flashes the ability to quickly press a blocker off of him and slip to half-a-man and rip and shed from the block. He displays good football instincts. He hustles to the ball and displays solid speed. With his motor he can offer support on the perimeter. He is no textbook tackler, but he can punish and throw down ball carriers. As a pass rusher he keeps it simple but seems to have a solid plan. He can create some initial push with a bull rush and displays the ability to slip to the shoulder and clear the blocker by being active with his hands. Johnson is a fun kid to watch. He is able to combine a motor, a physical style, and some smarts to be productive. Bit of a sleeper at the defensive tackle spot and though he will likely be a little undersized should be a disruptive college defender.

Became TCU’s First Class of 2010 commitment shortly after the Class of 2009’s national siging day.

TCU: Questions to be Answered by the end of this Spring

Posted on January 5, 2010
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With the Fiesta Bowl behind the Horned Frogs and signing day and the spring drills looming there are several key questions that need to be addressed before the start of the 2010 season.  Here are a few of those questions:

Who is returning:  We know 13 seniors will be leaving after a tremendous 4 & 5 years of particiation and all will be missed.  However, Coach Gary Patterson has said he expects to sign up to 18 or 19 for the incoming class of 2010 and with the number of underclassmen who can return filling about 71 if the 85 scholarship limit, there must be a few besides the seniors not returning.  No speculation here on who may or may not return but all underclassmen on the current 2-deep are expected to return.

Who fills the remaing few sots in the class of 2010:  14 commits so far and Dwight Smith enrolling in this group means there are only 3 or 4 spots left to fill.  The current group of commits are highlighted by tremendous speed at their positions and fills the needs at cornerback very nicely.  There are no glaring holes to fill but it would be nice to address areas of quarterback depth and get another defensive tackle, but options in those areas are limited.  I expect another linebacker along with another wide receiver and an athlete type who can play multiple spots.  At least 4 of the recruits along with Dwight Smith are expected to go through spring drills, including defensive tackle David Johnson, defensive back Travaras Battle-Smith, linebacker Marcus Mallett

Schedule: One spot yet to fill and though not finalized yet, TCU and Oregon State are expected to open the season at Cowboy Stadium.  This could give the Horned Frogs a tremendous boost in the potential title run in 2010.

What to do with all the runningbacks:   Returning underclassmen with experience include Matthew Tucker, Ed Wesley, Jai Cavness and Jercel Fort.  Also in waiting are: Aundre Dean, a former high school all-american and transfer from UCLA, along with Waymon James who was one highlight reel run after another in high school and has shown very well in practice during his fresman year as a redshirt.  And finally in the group may be the best of the bunch in Dwight Smith of Carthage who is expected to enroll this week and go through spring drills.  Will there be some position changes?  Will all the the runningbacks return?

Cornerback depth: Losing two 4-year starters in Nick Sanders & Rafael Priest to graduation would generally be a huge hit to most programs, but in waiting are two very good corners in their own right, Greg McCoy and Jason Teague.  However, key to the 2010 campaign will be the development of depth behind those two players.  Walk-ons  Brian Alexis & Devin Johnson have shown some promise and coaches may move Alex Ibiloye back to the corner at least part-time, but a good portion of the depth most likely from the current class and at least one of those recruits, Travaras Battle-Smith is expected to be in the spring drills.

Who replaces Daryl Washington:  Tank Carder has solidified his position at the MIKE and along with Tanner Brock it appears that TCU will continue its strong linebacker tradition at least in the middle.  The big queston will be whether Tank or Tanner can move outside or will someone such as Kenny Cain, Greg Burks or Justin Isadore show well enough to take over that spot.  Burks has tremendous speed and both Cain & Isadore have shown well enough that replacing Washington may not be as huge of a task.

Can the team shake the Fiesta Bowl:  The BCS spotlight was great experience for this group and how they respond to the loss and especially the surprising nervousness they exhibited will be an area to keep an eye on this spring. 

Some upcoming vistors-updated 12-14-2009

Posted on December 10, 2009
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With signing day February 3 fast approaching and just a few spots left to fill, recruiting has taken a different course this year.  Fewer visitors for the class of 2010 coming in but more impotance placed on the visits.  Also with Fiesta bowl preparation under full swing it gives the recruits a more in-depth look at the TCU staff and players. 

There are 4 or 5 spots left and it is expected that one will be a LBer and another a DL (or two).  Getting athletes who can play WR or DB positions will probably be the emphasis on the final spots and here are a few of the names visiting the next few weeks:

ATH Curtis Carter 5-11/175/4.3 Stonewall, LA (North DeSoto) 41″ vert recent de-commit from Nebraska, plays QB but recruited as WR.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53jcHpleDiA

ATH Danny Spond 6-3/225/4.65 Littleton, CO (Columbine) has the size to line up anywhere from LB, S or even DE,  plays QB on offense on a team that doesn’t throw the ball much. Plays linebacker on defense which could end up being his spot in college. Has great size and can really run for a kid this big. Closes on the ball well and will tackle with authority.

QB Milton Howell 6-2/190/4.5 Navarro College.  Very athletic QB out of Houston who had to sit most of 2009 with a foot injury.

WR Chris Hawkins 6-2/175/4.4 Channelview, TX averaged over 40 yards per reception as a junior and has ha a good senior year.  Currently committed to Minnesota.

ATH Jonathan Anderson 6-2/201/4.6 Corpus Christi, TX (Carroll) safety prospect but can move to OLB, explosive hitter.  Should comit if things work well this weekend.-update: becomes commit #12 for 2010

Some of those who have already visited this month include DE LaCraig Brown, big DT prospect Eric Humphrey, 2010 commit Sam Carter as well as recent commits Josh Huff and Ethan Grant.

Will continue to update as news comes out.

The list for 2010:

http://www.killerfrogs.com/blog/2010-recruiting/

The progress of Andy Dalton, TCU quarterback

Posted on December 10, 2009
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