TCU News: “I wouldn’t be here if that didn’t happen.”

Football:

TCU football lands another top player from Virginia | The Star-Telegram

A literal BIG get for the Frogs...

“Barlow is an intriguing prospect that I think could play tackle or guard at the next level,” said Jeremy Clark, recruiting expert and publisher of Horned Frog Blitz.

“He’s a big kid that is very strong up top. He’s a punishing run blocker and has quicker feet than most would expect with his size.”

TCU’s 2019 recruiting class featured almost half of the players from out of state, and two of the first three commits for 2020 are out of state.

Along with Barlow, fellow Virginian and four-star cornerback Keontae Jenkins has committed to TCU. TCU also has a commitment from Hutto receiver Dajon Harrison.

“In all my time covering Frogs recruiting, I can’t recall an instance of TCU’s success out of state starting this way,” Clark said

‘All I needed was a shot.’ TCU’s Casey McDermott Vai hopes to show versatility to Seahawks | The Star-Telegram

Vai dealt with injuries most of his career, but has a chance to make the team in Seattle.

All of it’s paid off, though, as McDermott Vai is now pursuing a professional career and will take part in the Seattle Seahawks’ rookie minicamp this weekend.

“My journey has been really tough,” said McDermott Vai, who played high school football at Raytown South, a school in the Kansas City area.

“Coming from Raytown South to TCU ... I don’t know how to explain it. I’m super blessed to play football again with the Seattle Seahawks. My career here at TCU was a bumpy road with injuries and trying to find a spot for me to play. But I wouldn’t be here if that didn’t happen.”

Basketball:

Fired TCU assistant Corey Barker returned ‘bribe’ payment money, ex agent says | The Star-Telegram

The staff has been filled, but Barker might be able to get a second opportunity elsewhere.

A former TCU assistant men’s basketball coach accused of accepting a bribe quickly returned the money, and the payment was part of a plan pushed by an undercover FBI agent, a former sports agent testified Wednesday in a New York court room.

Former Frogs assistant Corey Barker was fired after his name surfaced in the FBI college basketball corruption case in March, as Barker reportedly received a $6,000 “bribe” to steer certain players to former agent Christian Dawkins’ sports agency.

The money exchange involving Barker and Dawkins was secretly recorded at a Las Vegas hotel in July 2017, but Dawkins testified that Barker returned the money to him shortly afterward. The transaction is reflected in bank statements of cash deposits made in Las Vegas ATMs within days of the meeting.

Barker was never charged with a crime.