Posted on February 28, 2007
Filed Under 2008 Recruiting | 40 Comments
The biggest concern to many TCU fans is that in no way will it be ranked higher than #80 in Rivals or Scout team rankings, but that just means lots of talk on KFc and little more. The primary reason for the poor ranking (other than a totally screwed up method of ranking teams in the first place) will be the small size of the class for 2008, around 17 signees. This could change depending upon transfers (in or out) and possible grade losses, but 16 is the number to start with right now.
No position will take a huge hit in numbers after the 2007 season, but losses of defensive ends Chase Ortiz and Tommy Blake as well as linebacker David Hawthorne and safeties Brian Bonner and David Roach will definitely put a dent on the defense. On the offense TCU’s biggest losses will be receivers Marcus Brock, Ervin Dickerson and Derek Moore. These areas will consume up to 8 of the 16 available openings leaving very little wiggle room for the remainder of the class.
The remaining 8:
Quarterback (2) - backup depth and developing players for the future will make it necessary that this class has at least 2 QBs. Whether one is a JUCO will depend upon the how well the current group performs in 2007.
Conerback (2)- Gone will be Torrey Stewart and with the remaining group that includes JUCO transfer Chris Goodson it will put the staff in a bind in the future if they sign fewer than 2 CBs. The offset is that the players on hand are extremely talented which may open up a slot to be used elsewhere.
Wow, that leaves 4 slots!
The last four will include a couple of big guys on the OL & DL, and a RB.
QB (2)
RB (2)
WR (3)
TE (1)
OL (2)
DE (2)
DT (1)
LB (1)
CB (2)
S (1)
The list and numbers have been altered as new information, including the loss of Detric James and Ryan Sefton from the team, has emerged.
Posted on February 27, 2007
Filed Under 2007 Recruiting | 6 Comments
Much has already been written about the 2007 class signed by TCU, especially of the emphasis on defensive backs and athletes. One last look on the hits and misses for TCU in this class as well as what to expect from them in the near future.
Hits: Coach Gary Patterson and his staff signed one of their most athletic classes ever and there are numerous hits to mention:
1. Meeting the primary goals of this class. Safety, cornerback, defensive line depth and a big wide receiver were the primary areas of concern and each was addressed with extremely talented players. Safeties Johnny Fobbs, Tejay Johnson, Chez Thomas, & Tekerrian Cuba along with conerbacks Chris Goodson, Greg McCoy and Jercell Fort and athlete Sir Demarco Bledsoe are the heart and soul of this class. The surprise addition of Braylon Broughton to the defensive line along with outstanding linemen Kelly Griffin, Jason Fitch and the cannonball John Fonua will provide more than depth on the line. Wide receiver Jonathan Jones will take the receiving corp to another level with his size, speed and agressiveness.
2. Special teams. Punter Anston Kelton will add a weapon that has been missing from the TCU special teams for quite a few years. In addition Greg McCoy is an explove return threat, at least 4 players blocked a punt or kick last season and Ricky “Tank” Carder has the capability to immediately take over kick off duties and also lead the team on special teams tackles.
3. Speed. 10 signees with 4.5 speed or better led by speedster Jai Caveness at 4.3 in the forty.
4. Hidden Gems. Players with little public recognition outside of their local sports arena that played at the highest levels. Joseph Banyard, Ricky “Tank” Carder, Jason Fitch, Luke Shivers & Spencer Thompson are players who many TCU fan have come to know and will eventually enjoy watching on the field, players who won many state-wide awards yet received little recognition in the recruiting services until brought to attention by TCU.
5. Jeremy Kerley. Playmaker delux and extremely talented 3 sport athlete. Jeremy is a bigger and faster William Cole and a player many are anxious to see on the field as soon as September.
6. Offensine Line. Was not an area of huge need, but Spencer Thompson will compete as a freshman for playing time, Jeff Olson has done nothing but to continue to grow and impress and tight end Logan Brock is talented enough to play QB, has the hands of a WR and the size to play DE.
7. Names. Tank! or Tank the Crank, is there a better nickname out there? Luke Shivers should send fear into opponents ears, Tekerrian Cuba rolls off the tongue, but the ultimate is Sir DeMarco Bledsoe.
Did I miss anything?
Misses:
1. Quarterback. No sense in trying to hide it, the staff missed on signing several QBs or landing a transfer and ended up without any QBs in this class. Distractions caused by the much publicized potential transfers of Rhett Bomar and Jevan Snead may have side-tracked things somewhat for the staff, but 5 high school quaterbacks and 3 transfers (Snead, Weide & Lovvorn) were offered scholarships without fruition.
2. Question marks. Several highly regarded signees have potential problems making it to TCU, including Cuba who has double-signed with a junior college.
Not many misses and none that will cause problems that will cause problems on the field next season or that cannot be resolved in the next class if necessary.
Posted on February 3, 2007
Filed Under 2007 Recruiting | 2 Comments
In addition to the many district and regional awards the Frog recruits have been piling up some impressive state-wide and national honors this post-season:
Joseph Banyard THSF 3A 2nd Team DB, TSWA 3A 3rd team DB, APSE 3A All-State DB Honorable Mention
Sir DeMarco Bledsoe OCA All-State WR, 1st team 4A West All-State WR
Logan Brock TSWA 4A 3rd Team TE, THSF 1st team TE, APSE 4A All-State receiver Honorable Mention, Texas Football All-Texas Honorable Mention TE.
Ricky “Tank” Carder THSF 2nd Team LB, 1st Team 3A LB & 3rd Team punter (also Houston area Defensive POY)
Jai Cavness East Meets West All-American Game RB
Tekerrein Cuba Reebok Super Team 1st Team, TSWA 5A All-State 3rd Team, APSE 5A All-State Honorable Mention
Jason Fitch OCA All-State DL, 4A West OL/DL
Kris Gardner (Was TAPS 5A All-State in 2005 before transferring to Arlington Martin in 2006)
Kelly Griffin Reebok Super Team 2nd Team DL
Tejay Johnson APSE 5A All-State Honorable Mention DB
Jonathan Jones Reebok Super Team 2nd Team Defense Utility player
Anson Kelton APSE 4A 2nd Team All-State punter, TSWA 4A 2nd Team punter, THSF 4A 3rd team punter
Jeremy Kerley Reebok Super Team 3rd team Offense Utility Player
Greg McCoy THSF Texas 4A 2nd Team DB
Luke Shivers THSF 1st Team LB, 1st Team RB, 4A “Mr Football” & 4A “Corey Fulbright Spirit Award” , APSE 4A All-State LB Honorable Mention, TSWA 4A 3rd team LB
Chez Thomas TSWA 3A 2nd Team DB, APSE 3A All-State DB Honorable Mention
Spencer Thompson THSF 1st Team OL, APSE 4A OL 1st Team All-State, TSWA 4A 3rd Team OL
This is quite an impressive group of young athletes and I will continue to update the honors as they continue to add recruits. Please contact me if you are aware of any additions recognition that I may have omitted.
APSE=Associated Press Sports Editors
OCA=Oklahoma Coaches Association
THSF=Texas High School Football “Team Texas” awards
TSWA=Texas Sports Writers Association
Team Texas individual awards:
• Sammy Baugh Award
Named for most outstanding quarterback.
• Billy Sims Award
Named for most outstnding running back.
• Nati Valdez Award
Named for most outstanding wide receiver.
• David Parks Award
Named for most oustanding tight end.
• Forest Gregg Award
Named for most outstanding offensive lineman.
• Ray Childress Award
Named for most oustanding defensive lineman.
• Jack Pardee Award
Named for most oustanding linebacker.
• Tom Landry Award
Named for most outstanding defensive back.
• Marshall Young Award
Named for most outstanding kicker.
• Billy Paul Award
Named for most outstanding punter.
• Gordon Wood Award
Named for most outstanding coach.
• Corey Fulbright Spirit Award
Named for most outstanding spirit and dedication.
• Team of The Year
Named for most outstanding team.
• Mr. Football
Named for most outstanding overall player.
• Rising Star Award
Named for most outstanding underclassman.
