TCU Recruiting: #CarterBoys18 one of TCU’s strongest classes ever

The Frogs closed out one of their best recruiting classes in school history on Wednesday afternoon, as they put the final touches on the #CarterBoys18.

Four more signees were added to the fold, Jacoby Simpson, Ar’Darius Washington, Derius Davis, and Izaiah Filikitonga, as TCU wrapped up the No. 25 class in the country, and third best class in the Big 12, according to the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings.

The Frogs addressed a handful of needs with this class, and brought in some stellar talent on both sides of the ball. Let’s take a high level look at the class.

The Big Names

Justin Rogers | QB | 4-stars - Rogers, rated as the No. 2 dual threat QB in the country, missed most of his senior season with a knee injury. However, he’s recovering well, and is already on campus as an early enrollee, ensuring that, while his physical presence on the field may be delayed, he won’t be behind when it comes to knowing the system.

Tevailance Hunt | WR | 4-stars - Hunt jumped significantly in the rankings over the course of his senior season, winding up as the No. 35 player in Texas and the No. 45 receiver in this cycle. He’s a big, fast, strong receiver who has the potential to make an immediate impact. Hunt should have been an early enrollee, but some issues with his high school (unrelated to his grades) kept him from getting on campus.

Atanza Vongor | S | 4-stars - Vongor was one of TCU’s earliest commits for the class of 2018, and he stuck with the Frogs despite pulling in offers from Bama, Clemson, Georgia, and 16 other offers from big programs. Vongor is the kind of safety Frog fans will love to see on the field. Fast, big, and unafraid of laying the hammer down.

Trevon Moehrig-Woodard | CB | 3-stars - This 6-foot-2, 190 pound corner out of Spring Branch, TX gives TCU another massive body in the secondary, and TMW flashed an insane skill set throughout his senior season. His size and ability give him the chance to be another early-impact player from the class of 2018.

The Flips

Fabian Franklin | RB | 4-stars - Franklin was a long-time commit to Mississippi State, hailing from just three hours north of Starkville in Hattiesburg, MS. However, when Dan Mullen left for Florida, Franklin started looking around, and TCU won him over. Franklin stands at 5-11, 207 pounds (roughly the same size as Kyle Hicks right now), and adds another big body to TCU’s backfield. As the only RB in this class, Franklin is a big get for the Frogs.

Ar’Darius Washington | S | 3-stars - Washington committed to LSU on February 18, 2017, and stayed committed to the Tigers for almost an entire year, before flipping to TCU on February 6th of this year. Most people will look at Washington’s size and write him off (5’8”, 175) but those people haven’t seen his HUDL film.

The Out-of-Towners

Anthony McKinney (JUCO) | OT | 4-stars - McKinney, originally from Illinois, comes to TCU by way of Iowa Western C.C. (the same JUCO as Taj Williams), to fill an immediate need along the offensive line. Don’t be surprised if McKinney is an immediate starter for the Frogs in 2018, because he’s already on campus, and because of how many linemen the Frogs just lost to graduation.

Ben Wilson | LB | 3-stars - Wilson is the furthest from home in this class, coming to TCU all the way from Sumner, Washington. He’ll feel right at home in this Gary Patterson defense, though, as the 6’2”, 220 pound beast will fit right in as the big bodied linebacker in GP’s 4-2-5 scheme.

John Stephens | ATH | 3-stars - Stephens stands at 6’4”, meaning he could be an incredible outside threat for the Frogs in future seasons. Another alternative for the Louisiana native would be putting on some pounds and sticking his hand in the ground at defensive end. While his position may still be unknown, one thing we do know is that Stephens is an athletic freak, and a great get for this class.

Pro Wells (JUCO) | TE | 3-stars - Originally from Florida, Wells made it to TCU a few states at a time, stopping off at Northwest Mississippi C.C. for a little while before finishing the trip by signing with the Frogs in December. Currently on campus, Wells provides a big target for Shawn Robinson, and a big blocker for TCU’s stable of running backs.

Derius Davis | WR | 3-stars - A two-way player in high school for West Feliciana in Saint Francisville, LA, Davis was recruited to TCU as a receiver, and he has the potential to be the next KaVontae Turpin. The Frogs had to sweat out whether or not they’d hang on to Davis, as he saw friends and family (including TCU target Derek Turner) heading to Louisiana Tech, but he signed with the Frogs and they’re better off for it, as he’s the fastest guy in the class (and could very well be one of the fastest on the team already).

Hidari Ceasar | S | 3-stars - Ceasar is another dude from The Boot. He’s one of the less talked about members of the class, but he has sleeper written all over him. Ceasar’s vision in the secondary is incredible, and he seems to always be around the ball.

Also from out of state: Justin Rogers (Louisiana), Ar’Darius Washington (Louisiana), Fabian Franklin (Mississippi).

The Hogmollies

John Lanz | C | 3-stars - Lanz is an outstanding center, and he’s coming in at a time where center depth is going to be put to the test. Already pushing 300 pounds, Lanz is a huge body that will help offset the loss of multiple linemen on the depth chart.

Ian Burnette | OG | 3-stars - Burnette fits into the trend of what TCU was looking for in linemen this cycle. He’s big, mean, and once he gets hands on you, you’re finished.

Esteban Avila | OG | 3-stars - The DFW native was high school teammates with Atanza Vongor, and now both guys from South Grand Prairie could come to TCU and make a big name for themselves.

Kris Dyke | OT | 3-stars - Dyke is the lightest of the offensive line recruits (290 pounds), but he’ll likely have time to get bigger and stronger as he adjusts to the college game.

Also a Hogmolly: Anthony McKinney

The Texas Gang

Bryson Jackson | WR | 3-stars - The Kingwood native is a two-sport athlete, football and baseball, and Jackson could be a major impact player for both at TCU. Supposed to be an early enrollee, there was an outside chance that Jackson could actually help TCU baseball this spring, but a holdup at his high school (like Hunt, not grades related), kept him from getting on campus in January. He’ll be worth the wait, though, as his athleticism is through the roof.

Taye Barber | ATH | 3-stars - Barber is the No. 45 athlete for the class of 2018, and the No. 79 player in the state of Texas, and he, like Jackson, has extreme athleticism. Already on campus, Barber has a chance to see playing time as a true freshman, adding another versatile offensive weapon to TCU’s arsenal.

Jacoby Simpson | LB | 3-stars - One of TCU’s four February signees, Simpson is one of the reasons TCU finished the class on a good note. One of two linebackers in this class, Simpson reflects a possible philosophy shift for TCU, as he’s another big linebacker (6’0”, 225) now in the fold.

Ochaun Mathis | DE | 3-stars - TCU held off advances form Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to win Mathis’ services, and Mathis, the first commit for TCU in the 2018 class, stayed true to his commitment. Mathis is another guy who could see time on the field as a true freshman, because of the depth issues TCU is facing at defensive end. Already at 6’5”, 235, Mathis is just five pounds shy of Mat Boesen’s playing weight this year.

Chase Van Wagoner | WR | 3-stars - Another big-bodied receiver, Van Wagoner provides balance to the receivers in this class with his size. His ball skills are fantastic, and his speed is great too.

Izaiah Filikitonga | DE | 3-stars - Committing to TCU over Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Utah, Filikitonga cited staying close to home as a priority for him. Hailing from Euless, the 6’2”, 270 pound defensive end gets to do just that, and may find himself with an opportunity to step on the field as a true Freshman.

Also from Texas: Tevailance Hunt, Atanza Vongor, Trevon Moehrig-Woodard