TCU Football: If healthy, Horned Frogs will contend for 2019 Big 12 title

By Dante Pryor | Aug 18, 2019

FORT WORTH, TX - SEPTEMBER 29: Jalen Reagor #1 of the TCU Horned Frogs carries the ball against D'Andre Payne #1 of the Iowa State Cyclones and Spencer Benton #58 of the Iowa State Cyclones in the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 26: Cornerback Keenan Reed #4 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates following the Cheez-it Bowl at Chase Field on December 26, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Horned Frogs defeated the Golden Bears 10-7 in overtime. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Strong secondary leads injury-plagued defense

The defense was hit by both injuries and the NFL draft. Ben Banogu, L.J. Collier and Ty Summers will be playing on Sundays this year, and linebacker Montrell Wilson and Ross Blacklock are recovering from injury.

But this is a Gary Patterson defense, and no one in the country runs the 4-2-5 system as well as Patterson and the Frogs. They lose a lot, but bring back some key talent and have some young — and inexperienced — talent as well.

As previously mentioned, Montrell Wilson and Ross Blacklock are coming back from injury, and along with Wilson, Garret Wallow will anchor the linebacker spot.

Jeff Gladney returns to lead a secondary that capped its season off with five interceptions against Cal in the Cheez-it Bowl. This group figures to be as talented if not more talented than last year’s group that gave up a mere 6.4 yards per pass and 199 passing yards a game — and they play nine games in the Big 12.

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