TCU: Questions to be Answered by the end of this Spring
Posted on January 5, 2010
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.
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