2013 TCU Football Preview: The Safeties

This story is original content from GoFrogs.com

Carter appears on the watch list for the 2013 Jim Thorpe Award, presented to the nation's top defensive back.

Carter, who came to TCU as a quarterback, was a second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2012. He tied for fourth on the Horned Frogs with 63 tackles, including 6 1/2 for loss and three sacks. He recorded 10 pass breakups and four interceptions, including the game-saving pick in the final minute of the Thanksgiving Night win at Texas.

Derrick Kindred (5-10, 210, So.) is coming off an impressive season as a true freshman. With the Horned Frogs utilizing an extra defensive back at West Virginia, Kindred made his first career start and totaled 10 tackles in the win in Morgantown. He had 20 stops on the season.

Trent Thomas (5-11, 190, Sr.) is a veteran who adds depth at strong safety behind Carter and Kindred.

Olabode received honorable-mention All-Big 12 accolades. He placed third on the Horned Frogs with 71 tackles while adding four interceptions and nine pass breakups. Two of his four picks were returned for touchdowns.

Geoff Hooker (5-10, 186, Jr.) is behind Olabode on the depth chart. Hooker recorded 10 stops and was one of the Horned Frogs' leaders in special teams tackles.

Hackett started the final 10 games. His 61 tackles were the most by a TCU freshman since Jason Phillips (71) and Robert Henson (69) in 2005. Hackett added two interceptions, five pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.

Zach Jackson (6-0, 200, RFr.), a 2012 redshirt, is in a second-team position at weak safety.

True freshmen Jermaine Antoine (5-11, 195, Fr.), George Baltimore (6-0, 205, Fr.) and Denzel Johnson (6-2, 205, Fr.) will look to make immediate impacts.

BY THE NUMBERS:

1 - TCU safeties (Sam Carter) on the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List

2 - Career interception returns for touchdowns by Elisha Olabode, one shy of tying Tank Carder for the most (3) in TCU history

16 - All-conference selections at safety coached by Chad Glasgow in his 11 seasons as TCU's safeties coach

42 - Career starts by TCU safeties (Sam Carter 14, Elisha Olabode 13, Chris Hackett 10, Trent Thomas 4, Derrick Kindred 1)

61 - Tackles by Chris Hackett last season, the most by a TCU freshman since 2005