A different look at position depth and grades: Defense & Special Teams
Posted on June 24, 2007
Lets look at the defense & special teams.
Senior laden with more than a few who will play on Sundays, this may be the best group on defense ever for the Horned Frogs. Little more need be said about the ends Ortiz & Blake and the linebackers are as good as any in the country. However, it doesn’t stop there as great depth on the corners and safeties positions will make this group a pleasure to watch. Unfortunately, all things must pass as 6 of the starting 11 will be seniors this season as will TCU’s top kicker. So how does that leave the Horned Frogs for the future and what gaps are needed to be filled?
Again the number beside the position is the collegefootballnews.com ranking and seniors are highlighted.
Left end 8.5
(93) Chase Ortiz - 6-3, 255 Sr.
(42) Matt Panfil - 6-2, 232 Jr.
(98) Jerry Hughes - 6-2, 248 So.
Kris Gardner 6-1, 220 Fr.
Braylon Broughton 6-6, 225 Fr.
Ortiz was a linebacker out of highschool, Panfil a quarterback/safety, Hughes a running back and Gardner a TE. Do you think the coaches know how to find talent? Great experience, depth, youth and quality but possibly a huge question so coaches will go after one here and that one may not play DE currently.
Defensive tackle 8.5
(55) James Vess - 6-3, 282 Jr.
(96) Wayne Daniels - 6-2, 240 So.
Kelly Griffin 6-1, 280 Fr.
Griffin really adds depth to this position, Vess has just continued to improve and impress and Daniels is solid. This position has turned around significantly the last two years but one more recruit will be needed for depth. Coaches hoping Adren Dorsey makes the call and others close to the top of the list include Hector Negrete and Ryan Pollard (brother of frog great Robert Pollard).
Nose tackle 8.5
(56) Cody Moore - 6-1, 292 Jr.
(57) Cory Grant - 6-2, 303, RFR
(94) Henry Niutei - 6-4, 292 RFR
John Fonua 5-11, 280 Jr.
Another position that suddenly is looking good. Expect to see a lot of all these players in the rotation and with this talent, depth, youth and quality the coaches will pass on this position this year.
Right end 8.5
(97) Tommy Blake - 6-3, 252 Sr.
(91) Allen Christopher - 6-4, 236 So.
(90) Clarence Leatch - 6-4, 238 RFR
Jason Fitch 6-4, 230 Fr.
Not much needs to be said about the experience and quality at the top. The problem with having the former RB Tommy Blake here is that you have a hard time getting him off the field and letting the others develop. Christopher & Leatch have held their own and the Jeremy Coleman commit will provide for the future.
Sam linebacker 8.5
(46) David Hawthorne - 6-0, 225 Sr.
(51) Robert Henson - 6-1, 228 Jr.
Ricky “Tank” Carder 6-2, 205 Fr.
Luke Shivers 6-2, 215 Fr.
Henson & Hawthorne are simply a pleasure to watch and look for each to have a shot at the next level. Huge unknowns beyond those two and don’t expect to see either freshman on the field this season. Coaches are pursuing at least one high quality linebacker for the future and here’s hoping Jon Majors is that one, but Mark Hunter, Alan Dock and Brandon Wiliams are a few others out there who would fit in nicely.
Mike linebacker 8.5
(39) Jason Phillips - 6-1, 234 Jr.
(41) Daryl Washington - 6-3, 228 So.
(37) Darius Ingram - 6-2, 235 Sr.
Is TCU the next linebacker U? Phillips, Washington and Ingram are a tough to beat. If possible the coaches will try to get a second linebacker to add depth here, but not a priority with this small class expected for 2008.
Strong safety 8
(6) Brian Bonner - 5-11, 199 Sr.
(29) Stephen Hodge - 6-0, 212 Jr.
(28) Colin Jones - 6-0, 205 RFR.
Andy Burrell 6-2, 200 Jr.
Chris Goodson 6-1, 210 Jr.
Bonner & Hodge will get most of the playing time and Jones provides depth. One more safety needed here and the offer has been made to Derrick Grant however Tramaine Thomas may get a call.
Free safety 8
(4) Steven Coleman - 6-3, 204 Jr.
Tekerrian Cuba 6-3, 197 Fr.
Tejay Johnson 6-0, 195 Fr.
Coleman came on strong last year and really solidified FS. Cuba & Johnson are expected to compete for PT in September so no offers here unless something falls through.
Weak safety 8
(27) David Roach - 6-2, 215 Sr.
(19) Corderra Hunter - 6-2, 202 So..
Chez Thomas 5-11, 180 Fr.
Johnny Fobbs 6-1, 190 Fr.
David Roach may never come off the field as he will also provide depth at free safety. Hunter has speed and size and the youngsters are highly regarded. Only one safety taken this year and probably not here.
Left cornerback 8
(20) Nick Sanders- 5-10, 174 So.
(43) Alex Ibiloye - 6-0, 170 RFR
Jercell Fort 5-11,175 Fr.
Three young playmakers with speed provide quality, depth, youth & experience. No offers needed here.
Right cornerback 8
(15) Torrey Stewart - 5-11, 175 Sr.
(10) Rafael Priest - 5-10, 163 So.
Chris Clarke 5-9 180 Sr.
Greg McCoy 5-10, 172 Fr.
McCoy may get PT this year, but Stewart & Priest are rock solid. Depth is need so the coaches have offered Jarrett Ben from Garland.
Special Teams
PK 8
(44) Chris Manfredini - 5-9, 165 Sr.
Ryan Casano 5-10, 200 Fr.
P 8
(11) Derek Wash - 6-4, 177 Sr.
(7) David Porter - 5-11, 170 RFR.
Anson Kelton 6-4/250 Fr
SN 8
(90) Clint Grisham - 6-4, 215 RSo.
Anson Kelton may take hold of the punter position in September and Casano may handle KO and long field goal duties behind the extremely consistent Manfredini. The offer to kicker Randy Bullock seems confusing but he is one who may be hard to pass up on. Terrence Robinson is a speedster that has been offered and may take over the return duties as well as help out in the slot.
Experienced, fast and talented sums up this defense. Though 6 starting seniors leaving after this season (Ortiz, Blake, Hawthorne, Stewart, Bonner & Roach) the depth on the defense may allow the transition to 2008 go with little or no drop-off. A lot depends upon the defensive ends getting experience and adding a little more bulk. May never be able to replace a combo such as Blake & Ortiz, but just getting close should be enough. The depth at cornerback and safety positions is better than ever at TCU and the talent only looks to be continually improving.
Comments
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The nail has been hit on the head again. A really enjoyable summing up of a really enviable defensive platoon. Glad to see you are feeling bouyant about the tackle depth! I had been concerned, but now I rejoice!
A few things different from depth chart coaches released to Tex Football Mag. First, Panfil is not listed on the two deep. Leatch and Hughes are the back up defensive ends. Cory Grant is shown as the backup nose tackle.
Bonner and Roach are showed first team at different positions and backups at other safety positions, which I cannot figure. Cordera Hunter, Burrell, Colin Jones are never mentioned?? You tell me. I think that means GP doesn’t see them contributing. So, Hodges, Colemna, Bonner, Roach, will be covering 3 positons during the season. Hopefully, he will someone ready before too long?
Surprised you had no mention of Nuitei or Grant. But GP didn’t mention Nuitei either. He did have Grant in the two deep behind Moore. BTW, they showed Moore up to 292, but I wonder if that is correct, looks smaller to me.
gunner
Your 2008 prospect list shows one junior college player, linebacker Dewayne Baziel from Cisco. With Phillips, Henson, Washington, Carder and Shivers returning, I just don’t see any need for a JUCO. I wonder if the coaches could be thinking of converting him to DE?
Burner:
While not any huge gaps to fill such as the ones we had a few years ago, a JUCO linebacker would add security behind Henson next year. The only other position that may need a JUCO is DE as you mention and again more for depth rather tahn glaring need.
With Daniels weighing in at only 240 why not move either Niutei or Grant to the DT and let Daniels RS this year (played as true last year) and get up to the 260-270 range. I just don’t see how he can compete at that weight.
Jeff:
Daniels will play both positions but was actually very effective from the inside last season.
Is TCU in the Mix for Eloy Atkinson.
http://www.teamfalcon.net/Atkinsonhighlights.html
Is it a rumor?
Hey Jerry:
Thanks for coming back around. Obviously you are much closer on the player end, but as far as TCU it is still a tough one.
What is the deal with Coach Ford, UNT & Atkinson? hear that he is looking around and that the commit is soft right now pending other possible offers from maybe Tech, etc.
At TCU he is getting looked at and believe will be in FW soon (verify if you can please). Only two spots for OL in this group and would love to see Eloy make the cut. Kid looks like he could be a beast.
Thanks again and any insight you have let us know.
BTW, all sorts of info coming out of Tech on Mario but I have a hard time believing he drops the ‘Ole Miss commit. You heard anything?
Well, Ford has ties to UNT and Dodge’s offense would be easy for Atkinson to come in and not miss a step.
As far as Benavides, I think he’s set on Ole Miss. As a matter of fact, he’s graduating early (Dec. 2007)to attend spring practice.
Another TCU should look into is Mishak Rivas. He would ELECTRIFY the fans. Don’t let his size fool you.
Just Google Mishak Rivas. He’s going to be a SR this year and has been playing on varsity since his FR year. GREAT speed/acceleration.