TCU had five players drafted last week for the second time in three seasons. The Horned Frogs have developed into a veritable football factory. Consider: TCU had the most picks of any school in the state of Texas for the second time in three years, while its five draft picks tied for ninth among all schools. The Horned Frogs were one of just 13 teams to have at least five players drafted. TCU has had at least one player drafted in 10 of the past 11 seasons. In 10 seasons, coach Gary Patterson has had 29 players drafted. Patterson discussed his success at getting players drafted at a news conference on campus earlier this week. Patterson said NFL clubs are looking for team players . “There’s a reason why we’ve won ballgames,” he said. “You’ve got to have good players and they have to be disciplined. We’ve built a reputation where if it comes down to two guys they’re going to take a TCU guy.” Case in point — the Patriots took defensive back Malcolm Williams in the seventh round. Williams was a backup his entire TCU career. Quarterback Andy Dalton , a second-round pick of the Bengals, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the Horned Frogs have built a good reputation in NFL circles . “It doesn’t really matter if you’re the starting quarterback or if you’re playing special teams, there’s still an opportunity there,” he said. Three of the players drafted — Dalton, Jeremy Kerley and Marcus Cannon came from the offensive side of the ball. So what does that say about a team known for its defense? Clearly Patterson has done a good job getting talent on his team at every position. With the impending move to the Big East, he should do even better.
Originally posted here:
TCU = NFL factory?
Filed under Football, News by on May 6th, 2011. Comment. 
TCU has not had to worry about its kickoff and punt return game in recent years, not with Jeremy Kerley returning kicks. Kerley became on of the most dynamic return men in college football, winning Mountain West Conference Special Teams Player of the Year honors twice — just the second player to accomplish that feat. He ranked second in the league in punt returns and third in kickoff returns. His speed always made him a threat to return a kick for a touchdown, though many teams kicked away from him last season and his opportunities dwindled. Still, he leaves a big hole in the TCU special teams game. Kerley had 30 of the team’s 36 punt returns last season and 19 of the team’s 31 kickoff returns. Coach Gary Patterson still is undecided about who will replace Kerley when the season begins Sept. 3 against Baylor. There are some players on the team with punt and kickoff return experience, but not many. Among the candidates: Cornerback Greg McCoy. Perhaps the most experienced of those on the team with kickoff returns, McCoy returned one for an 81-yard touchdown in 2009. He had five kickoff returns last season for 167 yards, a 33.4-yard average that could make him the front-runner to take over for Kerley. Receiver Skye Dawson. He had one punt return and three kickoff returns last season and is one of the fastest players on the team. Safety Elisha Olabode. He played as a true freshman last season but reurned no kicks.
Read the original here:
TCU looking for special teams ace
Filed under Football by on Apr 15th, 2011. Comment.
ARLINGTON, Texas — TCU leads Oregon State 21-14 at the half. A well-played first half. This one feels like it might be in question until the fourth quarter. Turning point : Oregon State went three-and-out and punted from its 22 late in the second quarter. A short punt from Johnny Hekker and a 35-yard return from Jeremy Kerley gave the Horned Frogs the ball on the Beavers 23. Four plays later, TCU took its first lead. Stat of the half : Oregon State has just 33 yards rushing. TCU has 125. Best call : On a fourth and 1 from its 43, Oregon State ran a fake punt, and Hekker threw for 23 yards to Jordan Poyer. The next play, Ryan Katz connected with Jordan Bishop for a 34-yard TD and a 14-7 lead. What Oregon State needs to do : It’s all about the running game. Oregon State needs one, and it needs to stop the Horned Frogs on the ground. It particularly needs to spy on Dalton, whose scrambles for much of the half were the Horned Frogs best play.
Here is the original post:
Halftime: TCU 21, Oregon State 14
Filed under Football by on Sep 5th, 2010. Comment.
