Breaking Down TCU Horned Frogs
TCU Breakdown
Starting on offense B.J Catalon RB.
Listed at 5’9 190 he is a very stoutly built back with deceptive power. While he doesn’t weigh as much as your typical power back he is one of the most underrated downhill running backs in the country. He posses the wiggle to shake defenders in space but also brings the hammer to all potential tacklers. While he does run physically he has the top end speed acceleration and vision to create big runs. He’s returned kicks and displays all the nimble qualities you could want in a running back given a bigger sample size I believe he can become a household name as a rookie. He compares favorably to MJD/Justin Forsett really well he has the the small bulky frame and doesn’t create a big target for defenders . His low build really helps him balance well between the tackles and evade tacklers coming in too high. My projection for his draft will be from the 4th-5th I think he will be a solid back up with starter potential but will be overlooked because of the bigger names in the draft.
Chris Hackett and Paul Dawson are in a deadlock for the best defender for TCU In 2014 .
Hackett has been a cornerstone in the secondary he is a long lean big hitting safety with a knack for finding the ball he has displayed enough versatility and physicality to play one high and in the box the safety. His frame has room to add more weight but he uses his long arms and athleticism as well as any safety in the country . When he’s tackling he gets low and drives through rather than just catching ball carriers and being driven back . He reminds me a lot of George Iloka current safety for the bengals who coming out of Boise st was a long big hitting safety who added weight and eventually became a starter. Hackett should get drafted anywhere from the 2nd to 4th round and appears to be a plug and play athlete.
Paul Dawson is an athletic linebacker who has the ability to make and break games he possess the tools to to be a strong side lb in a 4-3 or inside lb for a 3-4 he flies around and is a talented athlete for the position. He has excellent timing on blitzes and usually wreaks havoc in the backfield . He will be knocked for his lack of bulk since he’s about 230 lbs but do not be fooled he is a powerful defender. My only consistent detraction from his game tape is that he sometimes doesn’t get physical with lineman when they’re blocking him he’ll shed late and sometimes he just lets them drive him away from the ball he needs to fight through the contact rather than just trying to stop runs down the field . His athleticism and instincts will put him into late 1st round early 2nd.
http://youtu.be/PYryFBWmv_U
Kevin White is one of the more underrated players not only on his team but in the country. He lacks prototypical size at 5’10 185 but he makes up for it with his physicality at the line of scrimmage and in coverage. I first noticed him in the game vs kevin white of West Virginia he shut down arguably the best receiver in college football. This performance showed how technically sound he is and what he’s capable of his physicality could be a huge asset as a slot corner or on the outside. He reminds me of EJ Gaines out of Missouri last year both of them are on the smaller side both and went head to head against first round receivers. EJ Gaines put the clamps on Mike Evans relegating him to just four catches for 8 yards and Kevin white of TCU put on a similar performance allowing Kevin white only 3 catches for 28 yards. EJ Gaines has developed into a solid starter for the Rams and I believe kevin white can become a solid starter if he continues to play physically/technically sound.
Sam Carter is safety corner hybrid with excellent size and a hard hitting mentality. While not as agile as Kevin white or Chris Hackett he played a major role as an enforcer for the horned frogs and also recorded 4 interceptions. I project him mainly as an in the box safety in the mold of TJ ward , dawan Landry type player. His coverage abilities are not the best but he can be a solid back up. His body type and game remind me a lot of Erik pinkins who was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks out of San Diego St. Another big bodied guy in the mold of a kam chancellor. Both guys are huge hitters with above average athleticism but eye discipline and agility are not his strong suits. But there always a role for downhill hard hitting safeties.
This defense possessed a superfluous amount of talent and they played up to it , had an additional game changer like DE/OLB Devonte Fields been on the field this could’ve been an undefeated team heading into the college playoffs.
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