2014 NFL Draft: Jason Verrett Selected By The San Diego Chargers

Jason Verrett is now a Charger, as the All-American cornerback was taken 25th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft on Thursday night.

Chargers have taken CB Jason Varrett

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) May 9, 2014

This is a good addition for San Diego and for Verrett, as he goes back to his home state and the Chargers fill a position of great need. Verrett could very well be a stud with San Diego, following in the footsteps of former TCU great LaDainian Tomlinson.

Here's a full presser from TCU SID Mark Cohen:

TCU graduate and All-America cornerback Jason Verrett was selected in the first round of the 2014 National Football League Draft, the 25th player overall, by the San Diego Chargers.

Verrett is the first Horned Frog to be drafted in the first round since Jerry Hughes by the Indianapolis Colts in 2010. Verrett is the 11th first-round draft pick in TCU history and the highest selection from the defensive side of the ball since Pro Football Hall of Famer Bob Lilly was taken with the 13th overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 1961.

Two of TCU’s last three first-round draft picks have now landed in San Diego. The Chargers selected LaDainian Tomlinson in 2001.

Verrett, who received his TCU degree in December 2013, was in attendance at Radio City Music Hall in New York for the draft. He was joined by TCU head coach Gary Patterson.

In 13 seasons as TCU's head coach, Patterson has now had 34 players drafted with a total of 70 in NFL camps. ESPN.com recently ranked TCU No. 1 in the nation for developing NFL talent.

Verrett, a two-time first-team All-American, was tabbed the 2013 Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year by the conference’s head coaches. He was a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist and Lott IMPACT Trophy quarterfinalist. Verrett was also the State's Defensive Player of the Year by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.

In his final game as a Horned Frog, Verrett limited Antwan Goodley, Baylor's leading receiver, to just one catch for 12 yards. Verrett also broke up two passes in the process. Earlier in the year, Verrett held Texas Tech's Eric Ward, who had 83 receptions on the season, without a catch for the entire game. Goodley and Ward were two of the Big 12's top-four receivers. When lined up against LSU's Odell Beckham Jr., Verrett allowed just one reception. He totaled seven stops, including a sack, while adding three pass breakups versus LSU.

Despite not many balls being thrown his way in the 2013 campaign, Verrett led the Big 12 and tied for sixth nationally with 1.5 passes defended per game (two interceptions, 14 pass breakups). Over the last two seasons, he topped the nation with 38 passes defended (eight interceptions, 30 pass breakups).

A Fairfield, Calif., native, Verrett totaled 39 tackles, including 3 1/2 for loss, with a sack and forced fumble last season.

TCU's First-Round NFL Draft Choices

1936 – Jimmy Lawrence, WB, Chicago Cardinals

1937 – Sam Baugh, QB, Washington Redskins

1939 – Ki Aldrich, C, Chicago Cardinals

1939 – Davey O'Brien, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

1958 – Jim Shofner, DB, Cleveland Browns

1960 – Jack Spikes, FB, Denver Broncos

1961 – Bob Lilly, DT, Dallas Cowboys

1970 – Norm Bulaich, RB, Baltimore Colts

2001 – LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers

2010 – Jerry Hughes, DE, Indianapolis Colts

2014 – Jason Verrett, CB, San Diego Chargers

Go Frogs, and Go Chargers!