TCU News: Horned Frogs draft prospects rising into focus

Football:

TCU head coach on friendship with Dan Jenkins: ‘I think he made Gary Patterson’ | The Star-Telegram

Dan Jenkins never held back, much like the man he mentored.

“Just like he was on golfers, just like he was in his books, if you slipped up, he didn’t let you get by with it,” Patterson said. “And guess what? That’s what we all need -- somebody who holds us accountable. He, in his own way, held me accountable.”

Patterson recalled going to lunch with Jenkins and longtime TCU booster Dick Lowe at the Colonial following the 2004 season. The Frogs had just gone 5-6, Patterson’s first losing season in his first four years.

That didn’t sit well with Jenkins, and he let Patterson know about it. Patterson has had just one losing season since in 2013.

“The bottom line to it is I think he made Gary Patterson, he was a little part of the development of becoming a head coach,” Patterson said.

Spring Game Recap: What you need to know from the CFB weekend | 247 Sports

Fans got to see a practice, but not a game - hence, no Justin Rogers vs Max Duggan vs Alex Delton.

TCU did not hold a traditional spring game citing an injury-heavy run of practices. Instead, it put on an open scrimmage. TCU is going through a three-way QB battle between graduate transfer Alex Delton, redshirt freshman Justin Rogers and true freshman Max Duggan. Delton did not play due to a knee injury. Rogers made some excellent throws and did not throw an interception. But he still looked a bit slow as he continues to recover from a drop-foot condition. Rogers’ athletic ability is a big reason why he ranked as the top overall recruit in TCU history. The Horned Frogs need him to get back to full strength. Duggan did throw a pair of interceptions according to Horned Frog Blitz, but he also showed all spring to be pretty advanced for a true freshman. He also looks more mobile than Rogers at this point.

Three TCU players hear their names called in this NFL mock draft | The Star-Telegram

All three defenders will be on NFL rosters this fall - no doubt.

Collier has been linked to the Raiders for several weeks, but they are not among the 10 teams he’ll take official visits to. Instead, the Top 30 visits include stops at the Bears, Vikings, Chiefs, Cowboys, Dolphins, Lions, Eagles, Seahawks, Titans and Rams.

Collier flourished in his first season as a starter last year, racking up six sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss and 42 tackles. He’s known more for being a power defensive end, not afraid to bull rush offensive linemen.

Banogu, meanwhile, tested well at the NFL Combine earlier this off-season. He also proved to be a quick study at the Senior Bowl, running with the linebackers. But most NFL teams view him as more of a developmental player entering the NFL.

Prospect Profile: TCU DE Ben Banogu Would Add Electricity to Seahawks Pass Rush | Seahawk Maven

Banogu is a perfect fit for the revamped Legion of Boom.

In many ways, Banogu is the prototypical candidate to play LEO in Pete Carroll’s defense, nearly mirroring former standouts Chris Clemons and Bruce Irvin in his physical makeup. His production on tape didn’t always match his physical traits, but the upside is tantalizing. He’s a high-motor player who was durable and consistent in his TCU career. When watching Banogu, you get the sense he could have done more but was limited by his role in the Horned Frogs disciplined 4-2-5 scheme.

Questions about his lack of bend and his ability to play all three downs have him projected as a day-two prospect, but he’s the type of player Seahawks coaches would likely be thrilled to get with a mid-round pick. In a draft loaded with bigger-name EDGE players, Banogu’s upside may be too good for Seattle to pass up in the third or fourth round.