Are TCU Horned Frogs Cut Out for Big 12?

Defense

The defensive unit was much better than the offense, giving up only slightly more than 25 points per game, and there is much more experience and returning talent here as well. So expect this to be the strength of the unit once again.

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Starting up front, the Horned Frogs have already adjusted to life without Devonte Fields. Senior Chucky Hunter and junior Davion Pierson are the leaders in the middle, and both are more than 300 pounds and combined for 10.5 tackles for a loss last year. Hunter had 31 tackles overall while Pierson had 18.5 so the middle is solid. On the outside, junior Terrell Lathan didn’t start full-time last year, but he still managed 7 tackles for a loss and 5 sacks. Look for a breakout year from him, and junior James McFarland will also have a major role at end after 5 tackles for a loss and 3 sacks last year. Sophomore Tevin Lawson is firmly in the mix after a strong freshman season, and junior Mike Tuaua is as well. Josh Carraway and Bryson Henderson round out a line that is about the same as last year with two departing players and two returning starters to go along with the same amount of depth. Put all that together, and the line should be about the same as it was last year.

At linebacker, the position is loaded. It’s easy to do that in a 4-2-5, but these are very productive and experienced playmakers. Seniors Paul Dawson, Marcus Mallet, and Jonathan Anderson are all back and were the major contributors last year after 69, 56, and 50 tackles respectively. They also had 10, 8.5, and 4.5 tackles for a loss respectively. This is a very deep unit that should be strong again. Sophomore Sammy Douglas and redshirt freshman Paul Whitmill both provide depth in a unit that, because of experience, will be much stronger than last year.

Nov 2, 2013; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs safety Sam Carter (17) during the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Amon G. Carter Stadium. West Virginia won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The secondary returns talent everywhere, beginning with senior safety Sam Carter. Carter is back after 5 interceptions, 4 sacks, and 7.5 tackles for a loss, so look for him to become a Big 12 star this year if TCU turns it around. Junior safety Chris Hackett was also a major player all over the field with 71.5 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 3 forced fumbles. Together, those two make for a very strong pair of playmakers, and junior free safety Derrick Kindred is also back after 4 tackles for a loss and 2 interceptions last year. Senior cornerback Kevin White is also back after 3 interceptions last year, and although Jason Verrett and Elisha Olabode are both departing contributors, but junior Travoskey Garrett has a chance to finish off filling those voids. Add to that senior Geoff Hooker, sophomore Denzel Johnson, junior Kenny Iloka, and junior college transfer Corry O’Meally and you have a very deep unit with much more experience than last year. On top of that, there are six freshmen in the system that could all make an impact, so altogether the unit should be much better than it was last year.

Matching production up front and more experience in the back seven should make for a better defense overall this year. The Horned Frogs defense wasn’t bad last year, but this year it could move to pretty good. Although improvements are expected on offense, the defense must still be expected to carry the load. Continue to Next Slide for Special Teams