5 Position battles to watch-Spring 2010

Posted on March 14, 2010

With 17 returning starters there are not going to be too many battles for starting positions, but with this staff you never know what they are cooking up.  Here are some of the key battles to watch for this spring:

5. Backup cornerback-gone are 4 year starters Rafael Priest and Nick Sanders, however the starters for 2010 are all but set with Jason Teague & Greg McCoy taking over and no knock on the former ones, the new guys may be an upgrade.  However who fills the spots behind Teague & McCoy may significantly impact the coming season and mid-year enrollee Travaras Battle-Smith will get a huge look along with possibly Alex Ibiloye filling in from his safety spot.  Others in the mix include a couple of walk-ons, Brian Alexis and Devin Johnson.

4. Defensive end-Filling the spot vacated by 2-time All-American Jerry Hughes will be a tall order.  Expect Braylon Broughton, Ross Forrest and D.J. Yendrey to compete hard for the spot opposite Wayne Daniels.  Also Clarence Leatch and Bryant House will be in the mix.

3. Longsnapper-Clint Gresham spoiled us the past few years as rarely do you notice a snapper until the mess up and Clint never did.  Getting another Gresham will be impossible, but this will be a key position battle for the Frogs.  Joseph Bates has the most experience but he will be pushed by Kirby O’Meara who was highly regarded out of high school and Daniel Shelley.

2. Linebacker-Another big loss for the Frogs will be linebacker Daryl Washington who will move on the the NFL and if TCU is to maintain its recent reputation as Linebacker U they will need someone to step up big to fill this spot.  Tank Carder has locked down one spot and competing to replace Washington will be Kris Gardner, Kenny Cain, Tanner Brock, Greg Burks and Justin Isadore.

1. Left Tackle-Probably the most impostant battle to follow will be the one to find out who replaces another Frog who will go on to the next level, Marshall Newhouse.  Zach Roth is expected to get first crack at this key position but he will get competition from the very athletic James Dunbar and Jeff Olson.  Also having Marcus Cannon swap tackle positions may not be out of the equation.

 

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