TCU Brings In Physical Class For 2017

After a disappointing 6-6 regular season, head coach Gary Patterson is ready to get back to business. The Horned Frogs signed 21 on National Signing Day and as Patterson said during his press conference Wednesday, his team is “getting back to being a little bit more physical as a football team. What Gary Patterson TCU teams are like.”

With that, here’s a closer look at each of the newest Horned Frogs in the 2017 class.

Early-Enrollees:

OG Wes Harris (Aledo)
4*, 6’4”, 290 pounds:

Harris has the size and football smarts to see the field immediately, but is a likely redshirt candidate as the Frogs only lose one starter from the offensive line. Harris, who started at TCU in January may make it hard to keep himself off the field, with his exceptional leadership skills and work ethic. He fills a big need in the trenches, where the Frogs have struggled since losing four of five players to graduation – including two pros – after the 2015 campaign.

Shawn Robinson (DeSoto) QB
4*, 6’2”, 215 pounds:

Robinson is also expected to redshirt, much to many fans chagrin. The dual threat QB, who led the Eagles to an undefeated, state championship season just weeks before begin classes in Fort Worth, brings an explosive element to a TCU offense that has been lacking just that since Trevone Boykin (West Mesquite) and Josh Doctson (Mnsfield Legacy) matriculated to the NFL. He may prove tough to keep on the bench though; if he’s able to improve his accuracy under Sonny Cumbie.

Signees:

WR Jalen Reagor (Waxahachie) 
4*, 5’11”, 185 pounds:

The highest rated player in TCU’s 2017 class, Reagor is a true difference maker at wide receiver. A unit that struggled with inconsistency and drops throughout last season should be immediately bolstered by the addition of Reagor’s speed, hands, and toughness. He was incredibly productive at the high school level, his skill set should transfer to the Frogs’ spread O seamlessly.

WR Omar Manning (Lancaster)
4*, 6’2”, 214 pounds:

Not far behind Reagor in the rankings department is Omar Manning, a big, physical wideout who also possesses above average speed for his side and is an exceptional route runner. Manning has the physical tools of former Frog Josh Doctson (Mansfield Legacy) – size, ability to track the ball in the air and high point it, and sheer athleticism. Like Doc, he might not be the fastest guy on the field, but he has serious football speed and just understands how to get open.

DT Corey Bethley (Katy) 
3* 6’2”, 302 pounds:

Bethley is a huge signing for TCU, not just in his literal size, but the fact that the Frogs beat out Texas A&M and Oklahoma to haul him in. Gary Patterson spoke often at the need to get bigger and more physical towards the end of last season, and he backed it up Wednesday. Bethley is big, mean, and plays with the kind of mean streak you want to see from your defensive line, and could bring those qualities to that unit as a true freshman.

DE Dennis Collins (West Monroe, LA)
3*, 6’2”, 238 pounds:

Another big body on the defensive line, Collins could stand to add a bit of weight to his frame, but is a dangerous rusher with good speed and excellent feet. The Frogs have made excellent inroads in ‘the Boot’, and prying Collins away from SEC competition is another big step for TCU. He also keeps the West Monroe Pipeline alive, an area where the Frogs have found seven starters in the last six years.

CB Michael Onyemaobi (Chaparral, CA)
3*, 6’1”, 187 pounds

A one time Cal commit, Onyemaobi gave TCU a chance once they brought in his former future coach Sonny Dykes as a consultant. With his final decision coming down to the Frogs and Nebraska, he chose TCU after falling in love with Fort Worth on a campus visit just weeks before signing day. Onyemaobi is a big physical corner, something the Frogs have been without the last couple seasons. He also has the speed to keep up with the ultra-quck wide receivers that litter the Big 12, and should compete – along with Noah Daniels – for snaps as a true freshman.

ATH Lakendrick Van Zandt (Henderson)
3*, 6’1”, 200 pounds:

Van Zandt is an intriguing prospect, in that it’s a little bit of a question as to where he will play. His high school teammate, and former TCU commit, Trestan Ebner flipped to Baylor in search of a chance to play offense, but it appears this former high school running back is destined for the defensive side of the ball. With his footwork, speed, and power, he would make an excellent secondary player, and there are few coaches better at slotting great high school offensive players into the right role on defense in college than Gary Patterson. Wherever he lines up, he has the athleticism to be a difference maker at some point down the line.

WR Kenedy Snell (Waxahachie) 
3*, 5’8”, 170 pounds:

If you’ve followed the Frogs the last two years, you are probably very familiar with an undersized running back/wide receiver suiting up in purple and making defenders look silly – sophomore KaVontae Turpin. Snell reminds many of Turpin, as he has the shiftiness in the open field to make people miss, the toughness to run over people, and the speed to run by them. He is another versatile weapon for new play caller Sonny Cumbie to employ, and there’s no limit as to where he can line up or what role he can play on offense. Expect him to find his way onto the field early and often.

WR Al’dontre Davis (Lutcher, LA)
3*, 6’0”, 190 pounds

Davis was a bit of a surprise signing by TCU Wednesday, as the Louisiana pass-catcher – who held 21 offers – picked the Frogs over pretty much every team in the SEC. Considered an Ole Miss lean, Davis quietly visited Fort Worth and apparently received an offer some time in the days leading up to Signing Day, and shocked the world a bit by signing an LOI Wednesday morning. Though just a three star prospect, by his interest list it’s clear programs think highly of the speedy wide receiver and believe he has a high upside. TCU hopes they’re right.

DB Noah Daniels (Clear Creek)
3*, 6’0”, 195 pounds:

Noah Daniels was once a Baylor Bear commit, and the fact that he flipped to TCU is reason enough for Frog fans to love him. He will earn those feelings once he steps foot on the field, as the ultra-speedy defensive back is sure to make a name for himself as a good cover guy, hard hitter, and explosive athlete if he gets the ball in his hands. Daniels has all the tools to be an exceptional lockdown corner in the 4-2-5, and the physical gifts to see the field early. For a unit that struggled in 2016, his signing is a sight for sore eyes.

S Garret Wallow (John Curtis, LA)
3*, 6’2”, 215 pounds:

Wallow doesn’t have the top end speed that many programs covet out of their backend players, but the three star prospect received 20 offers regardless, mostly due to his football smarts and hard-hitting play. Don’t be fooled by the numbers – Wallow is football fast. He closes well on the ball and can cover faster players by being quick to make reads and diagnose plays. He’s the kind of safety that Patterson loves – a coach on the field that can make plays and has a nose for the ball. But he’s also a candidate to move to linebacker, where he reminds a lot of people of Ty Summers, a converted QB who became one of the country’s top tacklers.

DT George Ellis (American Heritage, FL)
3*, 6’2”, 290 pounds:

There was concern among the TCU faithful that Ellis may flip to USF – drawn to play in his home state and for Charlie Strong. But Ellis remained firm in his pledge to the Frogs, and in doing so brings another big body to the middle of the defensive line.

OG Quazzel White (Lincoln, WA)
3*, 6’3.5”, 305 pounds:

White was long committed to Washington State, but started showing interest in TCU in late January, and a successful visit to Fort Worth only furthered that. While the offensive line returns a ton of snaps from 2016, adding someone with the size of White is much needed – the Frogs only have three 300+ pounders at the guard position on their roster. While he is a strong redshirt candidate, White will likely compete for a role this fall, and be a strong candidate to earn the bulk of the snaps in 2018, as he has great push at the point of attack.

TE Coy McMillan (Abilene)
3*, 6’4”, 270 pounds:

The under-the-radar tight end will switch to offensive line for the Frogs, and will likely redshirt as he works his way into the size he needs to be to play at that position in a power five conference. With a brother that plays on the line at Texas, Coy has good genes for the position, and if he can get big and strong enough, he’s an intriguing prospect to see switch positions.

DT Ezra Tu’ua (Los Angeles Harbor College, CA)
3*, 6’2”, 315 pounds:

Tu’ua brings much needed maturity and life experience to the TCU locker room – the 24 year old returns from a Mormon mission to be a difference maker in Fort Worth, and has the size and strength to play right away. It’s clear that toughening up the trenches was a top priority for the TCU coaching staff, as they targeted big guys to fill up both the offensive and defensive lines. Tu’ua is a unique player due to his age, but well worth taking a chance on, for his ability on the field and the locker room leadership he will surely bring.

LB Alex Bush (Cerritos, CA)
3*, 6.2”, 230 pounds:

Bush is one of the more under the radar signings of this group, as the experienced linebacker out of California brings an element that has been lacking in the middle of the 4-2-5: size. At 230 pounds he’s bigger than current starters Travin Howard and Ty Summers, but still moves well enough to cover tight ends and crossing routes by wide receivers.

S Kerry Johnson (Westfield) 
2*, 6’1”, 180 pounds:

Speaking of under the radar players, you won’t see many offers next to Kerry Johnson’s name, but that doesn’t mean this kid won’t be a future star. With exceptional closing speed and the kind of mentality that wants to knock receivers out of their cleats, the Houston product can absolutely impact a game from the safety position. TCU was very quietly all over this diamond in the rough, keeping a lid on his recruitment until he committed to the Frogs. With a frame that can certainly take on weight, Johnson could redshirt his first year on campus as he looks to get a little bigger and stronger. But his above average speed and solid coverage ability make him a great fit in the 4-2-5.

TE Christian Williams (Fullerton College, CA)
2*, 6’4”, 230 pounds:

It’s unusual for the Frogs to pursue a tight end, period, but especially in a year where they don’t have a ton of scholarships to give. But there’s something about this So Cal product that Patterson likes, and he was excited to bring him into the fold. While the production of the tight end unit isn’t likely to jump off the page, adding a receiver like Williams who can also block is a crucial piece to this year’s puzzle.

DE Terrell Cooper (Lindale)
2*, 6’2”, 258 pounds:

Another diamond in the rough, Cooper is another player who the TCU coaching staff kept quiet to avoid tipping off the competition. But the defensive end out of East Texas has a bright future in Fort Worth, and after what will likely be a redshirt year, he should transition into a significant role in the coming years.

ATH Ni’Jeel Meeking (Union Parish, LA)
2*, 6’3”, 205 pounds:

The lowest rated recruit on the list is one of the most interesting players found by the Frogs, as this big, fast, physical player has an unlimited ceiling. Though he was primarily a wide receiver in high school, Meeking appears to be a candidate to move to the defensive side of the ball for TCU. Whether his future is at WR, safety, corner, or even linebacker, Meeking is a unique and versatile athlete that can contribute wherever he lines up. Likely to redshirt as a freshman, he will be deployed in a myriad of ways by Patterson’s defense.

 

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