The linebackers

Posted on May 26, 2008

The follow-up to the most uncertain position is probably one of the more solid positions for any team, the TCU linebackers. Even with the loss of David Hawthorne who signed a professional contract, the returning group of linebackers for the frogs is as good as they get.  Starters Jason Phillips and Robert Henson are exceptional athletes and backups Tank Carder and Daryl Washington may even be better when they are done.  Expect Henson & Phillips both to finish their careers at TCU with numerous awards and each will get a chance at the next level.  Phillips who played QB in high school, started at safety and then shifted to fullback and finally settled in at LBer for TCU is already on numerous pre-season watch lists.

Depth chart:

MIKE

Jason Phillips-not much more to say about the young man except expect another great year from him.  Solid individual on and off the field.

Tank “the crank” Carder-RSFR has already made a huge splash at ACS by winning the Defensive MVP during the THSCA all-star game in Fort Worth after his senior year in HS.  One of the more anticipated first year players in quite a while.

Kris Gardner-Moved from linebacker to fullback and now back.  Very good athlete and settling on a position will allow him to develop.

SAM

Robert Henson-Speed and aggression combined with better than decent cover skills make Henson a model strong-side backer.

Daryl Washington-a Robert Henson with possibly more speed and better cover skills.  Could play at safety if needed.

Greg Burks-a true freshman and another linebacker with excellent safety skills.  Injuries and position shifts in high school probably hampered his overall recruiting, but coaches found another excellent athlete to carry on the tradition.

Others:

Chris Goodson-originally recruited as a safety out of California JUCO, he took a RS season to develop learn the LBer spot and should see plenty of PT in 2008.

James Gleaton-SR walk-on from Early and has been a plus in development of the position.

Brennan Gordon-walk-on from New Orleans via Bishop Lynch.  A great athlete and will possibly break through for some decent PT in 2008.

Alan Jones-RSFR walk-on from Austin

Needs in the class of 2009:

Losing Phillips and Henson after this season will definitely require the coaches to get 2 solid players this class.  The focus has been on Austin Moss and Tanner Brock, but neither appear ready to commit so look for offers to continue to go out over the summer.  The staff will make this a priority and may even go for a JUCO if they feel they don’t get 2 who can see PT soon.

Offers:

  • LB Tanner Brock 6-3/235/4.6 Coperas Cove 1st team all-state 4A as Soph & JR, Logan’s brother and both hard-working athletes. Stats: Sophomore: 229 tackles, 172 solos, and 23 tackles for loss, Junior: 227 tackles, 137 solos, 27 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks.   Scout, Inc evaluation (on their 150 Watch list):Brock is an outside linebacker prospect with great upside and all the physical tools needed to mold into a good one at the next level. Not overly flashy but is sound and does all the little things right. Great frame when projecting for the next level. He is tall, lean but athletically-built and should explode with bulk once he attacks a fulltime college weight training program. Reads his keys well and gets a good jump to the football. Most productive when playing in space and utilizing his long-stride and rangy body to chase sideline-to-sideline. This kid can cover a lot of ground with proper pursuit angles; overall range on run and pass support is good. Can get knocked off of his pursuit due to his lack of strength but does show proper hand technique keeping blockers off his body with his long arms when scraping. Displays good short-area acceleration when closing on ball carriers in space and is a solid tackler. Shows a good burst filling his middle run gaps when employed inside. Mirrors ball carriers well between the tackles displaying adequate redirection skill for a taller linebacker. However, he does flash difficulty taking on uncovered linemen at the point of attack. Leverage and lack of good strength and explosiveness at the point of attack is a concern. Not great at stacking and shedding. On the outside, he struggles at times breaking down in space and mirroring ball carriers; a bit stiff pursuing laterally. Not a real fast-twitched athlete, tends to build speed. With that said, he shows athleticism in coverage and great potential as an outside blitzer/vertical attacker with his frame and good straight-line speed. Overall, Block is a good prospect if a program has a year or two to develop him. Projects best as a strong side ‘backer. Could eventually grow into a defensive end with continued physical development or play the OLB spot in a 3-4.
  • LB Chris Williams 6-1/225/4.52 Abilene, TX Texas Top 50.
  • LB Austin Moss 6-3/208/4.65 Rockwall, TX (Heath)  Formerly at South Garland but moved to Heath when his dad (Mickey Moss) changed coaching positions. 
  •  http://64.237.99.126/oldclips/2009BA0012.wmv

    • Others:

    JUCO

    LB Dwayne Baziel 6-3/240/4.6 Cisco, TX

    Getting even one of the three offers would be huge, but still have to think the coaches feel they may get two of the three which would really solidify the position for years to come.  The depth at linebacker recruits is very good and having options such as Stewart, Poe, Jones and Jackson should allow the coaches to get two good players out of the high school ranks, however JUCO Baziel may be one of the better athletes available in the nation and tough to pass up if he qualifies. 

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    5 Comments so far
    1. Calvin East   May 31, 2008 4:36 pm

      Feisty,

      I enjoy reading you site. You have a lot of great info.

      One linebacker that you may want to add to your watch list is Bobby Schneider, at Colleyville Heritage, class of 2009. Bobby was the only underclassman in the FW Star Telegram first team all area defense. He was district defensive player of the year and honorable mention all state last year. He did this playing most of the season with a pin sticking out of his broken hand.

      Bobby is a smart kid (very good grades) and a good kid. He already has an offer from Boise State, but his family would prefer for him to stay close to home. He apparantly has received some letters from TCU, but I am not sure if they have talked to him.

      Bobby is not huge, but he is about 6′1, 205. He is still growing and his cousins on his father’s side are big. His father is probably 6′2.

      Finally, Bobby has a cousin who went to TCU. If Bobby were on the team, there would probably be 10 new season ticket holders from his family alone.

      I graduated in 75. What is your name and when did you graduate?

    2. Feisty   June 1, 2008 10:02 am

      Thanks for the info and will add him to the list. Heritage runs a great program and though they regularly whoop up on my sons team I still enjoy following them.

    3. Chuck Poe   June 6, 2008 12:13 pm

      Hey Feisty,
      Be Great news if Brock commits today.Just thought I let you know Jeff Poe will be in town Monday thru Weds at Team Camp.He is going to visit school and coaches while there.Saw Jackson at a event last month he is another stud .

    4. Feisty   June 7, 2008 5:48 am

      Thanks Chuck, lets us know how the camp goes!

    5. Chuck Poe   July 31, 2008 12:44 pm

      Update : Jeff visited Princeton ,Penn and Yale this week and he is thinking very hard on a Ivy League Education.