Frogs O' War - TCU National Signing Day 2017The #1 TCU Athletics blog on the internet!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50293/fow-fav.png2017-02-03T09:30:01-06:00http://www.frogsowar.com/rss/stream/142027352017-02-03T09:30:01-06:002017-02-03T09:30:01-06:00Biggest Sleeper: National Signing Day 2017
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<figcaption>TCU vs Georgia in the 2016 Liberty Bowl | Melissa Triebwasser</figcaption>
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<p>A pair of players from The Boot have our interest piqued.</p> <p id="hS57HU">Few major conference coaches do a better job of identifying diamonds in the rough than TCU’s Gary Patterson. It started early in his tenure in Fort Worth, when GP was forced to look in every small town and turn over every rock looking for the type of athlete that could play in his then unusual 4-2-5 defense and was willing to be a part of a nomadic program that at one point was a part of three different conferences in a five year span. Patterson became adept at turning offensive sleepers into defensive stars, signing a slew of small school QBs and running backs and turning them into all conference defensive ends, linebackers, and safeties.</p>
<p id="TzfsC1">Though the Frogs now recruit with the power of the Big 12 behind them, something that has enabled them to compete nationally for the top prospects in the country, GP still loves to find the hidden gems. It’s almost funny how often TCU will offer an unheralded kid, only to see every major program jump on them soon after.</p>
<p id="1xT9Tp">Though the class of 2017 is one of the highest rated in Frogs’ history, loaded with star power and top-ranked players, there are still several sleepers on the list that will follow in the footsteps of players before them - guys like Sam Carter, Derrick Kindred, Andy Dalton, Trevone Boykin, Josh Doctson, Ty Summers, KaVontae Turpin, and more. Here’s our best guess for players to keep an eye on over the course of the next 4-5 years.</p>
<p id="DMpJRa"><strong>Garret Wallow (John Curtis, LA) - Safety</strong></p>
<p id="IR0QQu">Wallow is a HARD hitter. The 6’2”, 215 pound safety grades out as a three star prospect, garnering a national ranking in the 800s and a positional ranking in the 60s. Though he holds 20 offers, half from Power Five conferences, he’s not the kind of player on paper that gets fans excited. He doesn’t have the elite speed that most programs look for in a player that will roam the defensive backfield, but he is a heady player who has exceptional instincts and a knack for being around the ball.</p>
<p id="eYQhUY">With a frame similar to linebacker Ty Summers (a former high school quarterback), Wallow could be a candidate to move down to the middle of the defense, or potentially play a Sam Carter type role as a secondary leader and play-caller. Either way, he’s the ‘coach on the field’ type that could help galvanize the back end of the defense when his number is called.</p>
<p id="lzmgX7"><strong>Ni’jeel Meeking (Union Parish, LA) - Athlete</strong></p>
<p id="m4EmuG">6’3”, 4.47 speed, two star ranking. </p>
<p id="Q7HwmG">Union Parish High School has only 570 students in Farmerville, LA, a town of less than 4,000 people overall. The football program isn’t a power, and Meeking played a little of everything over the course of his three years on varsity, including quarterback as a senior. He doesn’t have eye-popping stats, but his rating may reflect a lack of exposure more than a lack of talent.</p>
<p id="QpEZs8">TCU has signed a plethora of wide receivers in the class of 2017, and Meeking will have an uphill battle to steal snaps from players like Omar Manning, Jalen Reagor, and Kenedy Snell. This might signal a move to the other side of the ball for the lanky speedster, who fits the bill perfectly at safety - which he did play some of in high school.</p>
<p id="7NMjDR">Wherever Gary Patterson chooses to use him, Meeking has a bright future at TCU. He’s likely to redshirt this fall, but watch for him to make his name in spring practice a year from now.</p>
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https://www.frogsowar.com/2017/2/3/14433154/biggest-sleeper-national-signing-day-2017Melissa B. Triebwasser2017-02-02T15:00:01-06:002017-02-02T15:00:01-06:00Most Exciting Defensive Player: National Signing Day 2017
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<p>Noah Daniels should make an immediate impact for a defensive backfield that needs some help.</p> <p id="GcExvU">Do you need to know anything other than Noah Daniels flipped to TCU from Baylor? That automatically makes him a favored son in Fort Worth. But if that isn’t enough for you, the cornerback out of Clear Creek High School stands 6’1”, runs a legit 4.3 40, and benches 300 pounds. He is an exceptional athlete that is college ready from day one.</p>
<p id="cotR2T">Daniels, who played corner, running back, and slot receiver for the Wildcats, was an All-District, All-County, and All Greater-Houston Area player his senior season. Though he is rated a three star prospect, he had nearly every major program on him once he de-committed from Baylor, racking up 28 offers - including Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and Notre Dame. The Irish put the full court press on him once they lost a cornerback recruit, but Daniels continually reiterated that he was 110% committed to TCU and became one of the Frogs’ top recruiters on social media.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">110 % Committed to TCU , My Recruitment is shut down <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoFrogs?src=hash">#GoFrogs</a></p>— Noah Daniels ❄️ (@NoahDB21) <a href="https://twitter.com/NoahDB21/status/823361065132195840">January 23, 2017</a>
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<p id="SnwSh0">Daniels reminds me a little of Ranthony Texada, though considerably taller coming in. Texada, who burst onto the scene as a true freshman, looked like the next great corner to come out of TCU before a devastating knee injury slowed his development. While he was working his way back into form, the Frogs played mix and match opposite him, trying every available player, even looking to the offense, to try and better a unit that struggled over the course of the last two seasons as they battled injuries and youth. Daniels is the type of player, once he earns a spot, isn’t likely to give that up. Whether he is able to beat out Jeff Gladney, Julius Lewis, etc to start opposite Texada in 2017 remains to be seen, but I have little doubt he will earn snaps as a true freshman.</p>
<p id="SEyYFT">With his excellent straight line speed, quick change ability, and fluid hips, Noah has elite corner measurables. He tracks the ball well in the air - helped by his experience as a wide receiver - and is generally able to turn his head before contact to avoid penalties. He’s a great tackler in the open field and certainly doesn’t shy away from contact. And, should he get his hands on the ball, he will be a threat to house it ever touch. The opportunity to learn under a great defensive coach in a system that plays to his strengths should be a perfect fit, and Daniels should only improve one on campus.</p>
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https://www.frogsowar.com/2017/2/2/14433472/most-exciting-defensive-player-national-signing-day-2017Melissa B. Triebwasser2017-02-02T13:30:02-06:002017-02-02T13:30:02-06:00Immediate Impact Players: National Signing Day 2017
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<figcaption>Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Which players’ names can you expect to start hearing this fall?</p> <p id="mjmYjp">TCU has several players step onto the field as true freshmen and make an immediate impact on the field over the last several years. Guys like Deante Gray and KaVontae Turpin come immediately to mind as players who became household names before they had even bought their college text books. This past season, running backs Sewo Olonilua and Darius Anderson had moments of greatness, Lucas Niang saw considerable snaps, and wide receiver Isaiah Graham broke out in the bowl game. With the class of 2017 signed, sealed, and (almost) delivered, we look ahead at who might be the next great true freshmen to suit up in purple.</p>
<p id="zetlze"><strong>Jalen Reagor (WR): </strong></p>
<p id="J8sJab">It’s hard to pick just one of the talented wide receivers to highlight from this loaded class of 2017, as any one of Reagor, Omar Manning, and Kenedy Snell could become the next great pass-catcher to come through Fort Worth. But if I had to pick just one guy, my money is on Jalen. </p>
<p id="XcemhY">Reagor has decent size (5’11’), electric speed (4.41), and the hands to be on the receiving end of big plays right from day one. He’s an exceptional route runner and by all accounts has an unbelievable work ethic and an insatiable desire to be the best. Manning has the more college-ready body (6’4”, 215, 4.5 40), but Reagor has ‘“it” - that unidentifiable quality that tells you a player is going to be great. With the struggles of the wide receiving corp from a season ago, it will be open season as far as competing for snaps come fall camp. I would expect all three of these young men to see the field, and Reagor to become a star.</p>
<p id="vfDCdA"><strong>Noah Daniels (CB):</strong></p>
<p id="brWlgc">I am developing a bit of a recruitment crush on Daniels, who absolutely looks the part of lockdown corner, both on paper and on film. At 6’1” and 190 pounds, he’s the second biggest corner on the roster before he steps foot on campus, providing much needed size to go up against some of the beastly wide receivers that litter the Big 12. He has elite speed (4.3 40) and plays with a nastiness that has to have Gary Patterson absolutely salivating at the thought of how he can use him as a cover guy and a blitzer.</p>
<p id="fAoX8T">Additionally, Daniels fills a huge defensive need for the Frogs, who had to play mix and match in the secondary all season due to injuries and inexperience. Daniels will find a way on to the field early and often, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he emerged as a starter before the season is over.</p>
<p id="aXa9gC"><strong>Corey Bethley (DT):</strong></p>
<p id="VWKPBO">District MVP. All State. All District. 14 offers. 302 pounds.</p>
<p id="5fcCGG">The list of accomplishments and accolades almost add up to Bethley’s impressive size, and with a ready-made college body, Bethley could be the rare DT that takes snap as a true freshman.</p>
<p id="SnFwJN">No position group had more attrition this off-season than the defensive line, who loses starters Josh Carraway, Aaron Curry, and James McFarland to graduation. Though the talent level in the pipeline is incredibly high (Chris Bradley, Ross Blacklock, Joe Broadnax, LJ Collier, etc), it’s young and undersized - the only player to have taken snaps that tips the scales at three bills is Broadnax. Thus, Bethley becomesone of the biggest guys in the fold from the moment he steps foot on campus, and after watching the struggles against bigger offensive lines a year ago, that size is a sight for sore eyes.</p>
<p id="nD88gI"><strong>Omar Manning (WR):</strong></p>
<p id="4SrDFJ">Okay, okay I talked myself into it. Manning is just so big and so fast for his size and so explosive... how could he not find his way onto the field in 2017?</p>
<p id="6lp5Gp">With a 6’3” frame that can likely add to its 215 pounds without losing much in the way of speed, Manning certainly looks the part of number one receiver in a power five conference. He has what the Frogs have been looking for since the graduation of Josh Doctson - great feet, the ability to high point the ball, and soft as butter hands. He’s not afraid to fight for position and he can take a hit, often looking like a man among boys on the high school fields where he dominated.</p>
<p id="gJ9eRE">The struggles of the receiving corp in 2016 are well-documented, but they return everyone but Deante Gray this fall. If you add in a size guy like Manning with the speed of Reagor and Snell to a group that has veteran talent in Taj Williams, John Diarse, and Ty Slanina, young guys with big potential in Jaelan Austin, Jarrison Stewart, and Emanuel Porter, plus Isaiah Graham and KaVontae Turpin, the skies the limit for the pass catching crew. Manning could play complimentary role or cornerstone, depending on how fall camp goes.</p>
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https://www.frogsowar.com/2017/2/2/14462216/tcu-impact-recruits-national-signing-day-2017Melissa B. Triebwasser2017-02-02T10:45:01-06:002017-02-02T10:45:01-06:00Get to Know the Early Enrollees: National Signing Day 2017
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<p>Two players have made their way to campus already, and will participate in spring practice.</p> <p id="uMbaDr">The Frogs welcomed a pair of players to campus prior to National Signing Day, as DeSoto quarterback Shawn Robinson and Aledo offensive lineman Wes Harris began classes at TCU in January. As we look forward to welcoming several players that will begin their careers in August, let’s take a look at the guys already here.</p>
<p id="4CiZh8"><strong>Shawn Robinson: QB (DeSoto)</strong></p>
<p id="ATlyeF">The four star state champion QB comes to TCU with a world of promise on his shoulders, as the heir apparent to Trevone Boykin and Kenny Hill is one of the most highly anticipated players to come to Fort Worth in the Gary Patterson era. </p>
<p id="TuSk5U">Robinson, who built an exceptional relationship with Sonny Cumbie throughout the recruiting process, committed in June of 2015 and never wavered, despite facing a full court press of Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, USC, Michigan, and more. Shawn threw for over 3,000 yards in his senior year, and ran for another 1,400+, while accounting for 47 total touchdowns in an undefeated season. </p>
<p id="LVCcVx">Many fans hope that the true freshman will compete, or even unseat, rising senior Kenny Hill, but it’s expected he will redshirt - which he has said he believes may be best for all involved parties. Regardless, the future is bright with Robinson and the slew of incoming, talented, pass-catchers.</p>
<p id="tD3IFl"><strong>Wes Harris (OL) Aledo</strong></p>
<p id="KG7Xya">Harris is a big man who has been huge as a recruiter for the Frogs, working to build the #CarterBoys17 class from the day he committed back in May of 2015. Wes has a lot to do with encouraging Shawn Robinson to join the fold, as the two became close friends through the process, to the point that Wes’ mom refers to Shawn as her son.</p>
<p id="Ap8XYv">Harris brings exceptional size and smarts to TCU, where he will plant his 6’4”, 290 pound frame on the offensive line, potentially as early as next year. With the extra semester under his belt to get stronger, and the uncertainty along the trenches, there will be opportunity for him to compete there this spring. Harris had eight offers, including Cal, Mizzou, and Texas Tech, and would have likely had more had he not been so firm to TCU from his commitment on. He is a great get for the Frogs, as he will be a game changer on the field and also bring outstanding leadership ability to the team and locker room.</p>
<p id="CwN7Ut">Wes is a four star prospect who has experience on both the offensive and defensive lines, but projects at guard for the Frogs - though it’s not inconceivable he could move to center depending on team needs.</p>
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<p id="t5qAVd">Harris and Robinson form a formidable one-two punch on offense, and are the cornerstones of a hugely significant class for TCU. They will be fun to watch for their time on campus, and have aspirations to bring home some serious hardware for the Frogs.</p>
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https://www.frogsowar.com/2017/2/2/14435094/tcu-early-enrollees-shawn-robinson-wes-harris-national-signing-day-2017Melissa B. Triebwasser2017-02-01T12:07:01-06:002017-02-01T12:07:01-06:00Omar Manning signs with TCU: National Signing Day 2017
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<p>One of the top WRs in Texas makes it official for the Frogs</p> <p id="A1G5wg">TCU inked one of the top wide receivers in Texas when 4-star recruit Omar Manning signed on the dotted line and faxed in his LOI. Manning, who <a href="http://www.frogsowar.com/2016/10/21/13361978/2017-wr-recruit-omar-manning-commits-to-tcu-frogs">committed to TCU in late October</a>, is rated as the No. 26 WR in the 2017 class (No. 6 in Texas), the No. 27 player in Texas, and the No. 161 player overall for 2017, according to 247Sports.com. </p>
<p id="Bn7jM4">Standing at a legit 6-2 and weighing in at 214, Manning is a big-bodied receiver that could press for playing time right away, thanks to his incredible hands and high-point ability. </p>
<p id="zXX1hU">Manning held offers from 33 schools, including Alabama, Ole Miss, Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, Nebraska, Michigan, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, UCLA, and Washington. </p>
<p id="AdHC0A">Despite never wavering from his commitment, it seemed for a while like a flip for Manning was a possibility, as Texas made a huge push for the Lancaster product down the stretch. Manning took an official visit to Austin in early December, with many thinking he would flip that weekend. He never did, though, staying true to TCU, and he reaffirmed his commitment a few weeks later via Twitter, following his official visit to TCU. </p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr">110% TCU </p>— O.Manning (@TheOmarManning) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheOmarManning/status/821195919769174022">January 17, 2017</a>
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<p id="r4ckU3">It was an opportunity for Frog fans to celebrate, as Manning is a huge piece of #CarterBoys17. </p>
<p id="4R2ljq">Manning joins Jalen Reagor and Kennedy Snell as the wide receivers for this class, as they look to be the next wave of elite receiving threats for the Horned Frogs. </p>
<p id="rzhaAi">Welcome to the Frog Fam, Omar!</p>
<p id="8Aa4qe">Check out Omar’s hudl highlights here:</p>
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https://www.frogsowar.com/2017/2/1/14440782/omar-manning-signs-with-tcu-national-signing-day-2017Jamie Plunkett2017-02-01T10:18:23-06:002017-02-01T10:18:23-06:00Quazzel White Signs with TCU: National Signing Day 2017
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<figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The offensive guard from the west coast adds a big body to the o-line.</p> <p id="y8H16O">Is it the Sonny Dykes effect?</p>
<p id="DOGEiG">The former Cal coach signed on to join the TCU staff as an advisor, and immediately drew attention from a pair of west coast preps. One of those players committed to TCU Wednesday, as guard Quazzel White joined the Frog fam all the way from Tacoma Washington.</p>
<p id="mXGvQf">White, who stands 6’3.5” inches and weighs in at over 300 pounds, adds much needed size to a unit that struggled in 2016 to protect the quarterback and dominate in the run game. A three star prospect, Quazzel held nine offers, and was committed to Mike Leach’s Washington State team since November. But a late January visit to Fort Worth had him thinking second thoughts, and he re-opened his recruitment then. It seemed he was sold on the Horned Frogs from that point on, making it official on NSD.</p>
<p id="tu19cR">Recruited by Jarrett Anderson, White joins Wes Harris from Aledo - who is already on campus - as the second offensive lineman in the class of 2017. He had nine offers heading into signing day, with Oregon State, Arizona State, SDSU, Boise, and others joining Wazzu and the Frogs. He is the fourth 300 pound guard on the TCU line, joining a veteran group led by Patrick Morris and Matt Pryor. For a large dude, he moves well, showing good push at the point of attack and excelling in both run and pass blocking. He does a good job of winning the battle in the trenches, able to create gaps and lock up defenders in one on one situations. He should only improve with time on campus as he gets stronger and accustomed to TCU’s system.</p>
<p id="fWeSBF">Welcome to the Frog Fam Q! Check out his HUDL highlights below.</p>
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https://www.frogsowar.com/2017/2/1/14470272/quazzel-white-signs-with-tcu-national-signing-day-2017Melissa B. Triebwasser2017-02-01T09:57:32-06:002017-02-01T09:57:32-06:00DE Dennis Collins Signs with TCU: National Signing Day 2017
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<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Collins stays committed to the Frogs</p> <p id="Ajhz0N">We all know how it goes: a recruit commits to a school that isn’t named LSU, Alabama, or the like, and the big-name schools that got left out will hold out every hope that they’ll change their mind before National Signing Day. Like they’re somehow going to woo the recruit back like an old girlfriend. In the case of Dennis Collins, Arkansas and LSU must feel like the ones who were hoping for a second date and never got it. </p>
<p id="cSSEAq">The 6’3”, 255-pound <a href="http://247sports.com/player/dennis-collins-77655">Defensive End</a> hails from West Monroe, LA and received offers from Louisiana Tech, LSU, and Louisiana-Lafayette if he had a desire to stay closer to home. The 4-star recruit also received offers from TCU, Tennessee, Alabama, Jackson State, Ole Miss, and UT San Antonio.</p>
<p id="I4IeZS"><a href="http://www.nola.com/recruiting/index.ssf/2016/02/dennis_collins_lsu_tcu_ull_ulm.html">Collins originally dreamt of playing tight end</a>, but his middle school football coach told him that defensive linemen had a better shot at playing for a Division I school. That same coach may have also planted the idea of playing for TCU in Collins’ head—the coach was James McFarland, father of TCU’s former DE by the same name. The <a href="http://www.gofrogs.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/james_mcfarland_795807.html">younger McFarland</a> had just committed to TCU back in 2012. So Collins worked hard to become a top defensive recruit, stating last Spring that he wanted to focus on increasing his speed, hand placement, and pass-rushing in 2016. </p>
<p id="LUgnu4">Collins has history with LSU player KeKe Mingo and his brothers. He also went to LSU’s “Boys from the Boot” event as a junior and told reporters that he’s always wanted to play for the Tigers. At the time, he hadn’t visited TCU yet, but mentioned a close friendship with TCU Defensive Tackle Chuck Hunter. Collins <a href="http://247sports.com/Player/Dennis-Collins-77655/TimelineEvents">had 3 unofficial visits</a> at LSU in 2015 and 2016, in addition to a Coaches’ Visit. Collins also visited Arkansas, causing chatter about him becoming a Hog.</p>
<p id="UnerJN">Collins has been committed to TCU since <a href="http://www.frogsowar.com/2016/6/16/11948568/dennis-collins-becomes-the-eighth-member-of-carterboys17">June 13, 2016</a> and is sticking with his decision to become a Frog. In fact, he’s been a strong commit for awhile, according to <a href="http://www.scout.com/player/203113-dennis-collins/videos/?year=2016">an interview he did with Scout.com</a>, where he said that, “unless there’s a coaching change” he’s sticking with TCU. He likes the atmosphere at TCU and talks to Coach Zarnell Fitch often.</p>
<p id="BP2BNP">TCU’s defense started out shaky in 2016, but improved as the season continued. That being said, Collins is a great addition to a defense that’s still trying to work out the kinks and play consistently. We’re happy to see him added to the Horned Frogs’ roster and look forward to seeing what he does in the opening game against Jackson State this season.</p>
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https://www.frogsowar.com/2017/2/1/14413364/de-dennis-collins-signs-with-tcu-national-signing-day-2017Deanna Rust2017-02-01T09:51:53-06:002017-02-01T09:51:53-06:00George Ellis III signs with TCU: National Signing Day 2017
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<p>The Florida defensive tackle ignored a late push from Charlie Strong and USF, deciding to stick with the Frogs. </p> <p id="V2dvdH">TCU sent defensive line coach Zarnell Fitch down to Florida, and he came back with a defensive tackle. George Ellis III made his TCU commitment official today, signing his Letter of Intent and faxing it to the Frogs. Ellis adds some much-needed size to TCU’s defensive line, along with 2017 classmates Corey Bethley and Ezra Tu’ua, as the Frogs seek to bulk up in the trenches.</p>
<p id="z7CJVk">Ellis, standing at 6-2 and weighing in at 290 pounds, held offers from Mississippi State, South Florida, and Wisconsin, among a handful of others. Despite <a href="http://www.frogsowar.com/2017/1/12/14260318/tcu-picks-up-top-dt-in-george-ellis">committing in mid-January</a>, Ellis took late January official visits to Rutgers and USF, with Charlie Strong making a big push for him to join the USF ranks. However, neither school was able to sway Ellis form the Frogs, and now he’ll don the Purple and White (and black, and gray, and...). </p>
<p id="JspW8X">The Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and American Heritage High School product has a great ability to shed blockers, and also shows impressive strength to bring down a runner when engaged with a lineman. </p>
<p id="lgaOCg">With Ellis’ addition to TCU’s defensive line, along with Bethley and Tu’ua, TCU has essentially doubled the number of ~300 pound defensive lineman on the roster. It’s clear that Patterson identified a need on this team, and went out and addressed it during this recruiting cycle. It’ll be fun to see all this size shutting down the run game for TCU opponents over the next several seasons. </p>
<p id="tSVT0J">Check out his hudl highlights here, and welcome him to the Frog fam! </p>
<div id="uvQsf7"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/3190212/5721dad964e96b6380276456" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div></div></div>
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https://www.frogsowar.com/2017/2/1/14442112/george-ellis-iii-signs-with-tcu-national-signing-day-2017Jamie Plunkett