Tcu Inside Slant
Most coaches at non-BCS conference programs say they don't care how many stars given by recruiting analysts are next to the names of their signees. TCU coach Gary Patterson is no exception.
In fact, Patterson probably has to distance himself from recruiting rankings a lot more than other Mountain West Conference coaches because of the talent-rich pool in the state of Texas and the fervor over winning the recruiting wars.
"We feel like we have a program set up to where we'll give a kid a chance that other people wouldn't," Patterson told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "We've done enough background, and in Texas we get to know our kids. We've made a living not in the top 100, but in the 101 to 200 players. There's a lot of great players in this state."
That's partly why Patterson has enjoyed so much success at TCU. Most of the other MWC schools would be giddy to sign players ranked in the 101-200 range in Texas. The Horned Frogs still landed a pair of top-100 recruits in the state, defensive lineman Jeremy Coleman of Missouri City and offensive tackle Trevius Jones of Tyler.
Ironically, of the 15 players TCU signed, six were from out of state, the largest out-of-state contingent Patterson says he's ever had. The school signed 10 on the offensive side on the ball and filled its biggest need with four offensive linemen coming in, including junior college transfer Zach Roth of Garden City (Kan.) Community College. The Frogs also got immediate help at wide receiver with the signing of Marques Parker of North Iowa Area Community College.
With quarterbacks Andy Dalton and Marcus Jackson in place, TCU signed just one quarterback, Yogi Gallegos of Irving, Texas. The Frogs also signed kicker Ross Evans of Burnett, Texas, in hopes of replacing the departed Chris Manfredini.
TOP RECRUITS:
DL Jeremy Coleman, Missouri City, Texas -- Coleman, who committed to TCU in May, had offers from heavyweights Missouri, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. He is the prototypical Frogs defensive lineman -- big with speed.
OL Zach Roth, Garden City (Kan.) CC -- Roth was rated as the No. 64 junior college prospect in the country, according to Rivals.com. He was a Region VI NJCAA All-America and first-team All-Kansas Jayhawk conference.
LB Greg Burke, Houston -- Coach Gary Patterson raved about Burke, whom he labeled TCU's sleeper pick. Burke was an all-district selection at Spring Wood High School. "There might not be a better athlete in the state of Texas," Patterson told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
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