TCU Recruiting Roundup with Jeremy Clark

Gary Patterson and company have almost completed the 2015 recruiting class, with 17 commitments in the fold. HornedFrogBlitz.com Managing Editor Jeremy Clark filled me in on the latest surrounding the class, also known by the cool kids as the "Funkytown '15."

RG: Which recruit is the biggest "get" in the 2015 class so far?

JC: " I think the biggest one in term of talent and need is Metairie (LA) East Jefferson cornerback DeShawn Raymond. They (TCU) went into LSU's backyard and beat out the Tigers for Raymond's commitment on Halloween Night.

Raymond also chose the Frogs over offers from Arkansas, Nebraska and Mississippi State. He's an early enrollee and will have a chance to play right away with the graduation of senior cornerback Kevin White. When you're in the Big 12, you want to have those big corners who can match up with the bigger receivers and Raymond fits that mold at 6'1, 180 pounds."

RG: Who else could make an impact on the 2015 season?

JC: "Two other guys coming in early are Coldspring-Oakhurst linebacker Alec Dunham (6-1, 213 pounds) and Mike Freeze, who is sitting out this season due to injury. Dunham is just all over the field and will resemble TCU senior linebacker Marcus Mallett in a lot of ways."

" TCU is losing three guys at linebacker so I think you are going to have guys come in and make an impact. Freeze (6'3, 220 pounds) is an athletic freak. Very smart. The only thing bad about him is he missed this whole year with shoulder surgery. However, I'm told that he will be ready to go for spring ball. You're going have to replace those senior linebackers (Dawson, Mallett, Anderson) and with those guys coming in, you have a great start.

Mansfield High School cornerback Julius Lewis is also a guy I could see coming in and making an early contribution. He's not the biggest guy (5'10, 170 pounds) but he's a very physical corner who is not afraid to press at the line and make some tackles."

RG: Which 2015 recruit is the most underrated in your opinion?

JC: "Mesquite Horn wide receiver Jarrison Stewart. I think he could be ranked in the top 40 of receivers nationally. He has great hands and speed but also runs amazing routes. He's a perfect receiver for this high powered offense that TCU has implemented under co-offensive coordinators Doug Meacham and Sonny Cumbie."

RG: Are there any prospects, committed or uncommitted, who Frog fans should know about?

JC: "Montrel Wilson, a three-star safety from Keller Fossil Ridge. He's already been up for two TCU games. I know Arkansas is also a team to keep a close eye on. I think Cedar Hill linebacker and Texas A&M verbal commit Richard Moore is another guy to keep an eye on. TCU has never stopped recruiting him. Kind of like Emmanuel Porter last year. Kenny Perry has kept recruiting him and it wouldn't surprise me at all if he's a Horned Frog on signing day."

RG: Any current commits TCU should be concerned about losing to the competition?

JC: "South Oak Cliff receiver J.F. Thomas and Arlington Sam Houston athlete Darrion Flowers are both being courted by the University of Texas. But you don't typically lose recruits during the type of season they (TCU) are having."

RG: How has the TCU coaching staff bought into the new social media age of recruiting?

JC: "Coaches understand you have to go through social media because that is how most of these kids communicate. Coach Patterson is getting involved through social media and I don't think it is going to slow down any time soon. However, they are still going to have a business-like approach."