TCU position outlook: Playmaking required from defensive backs

The Star-Telegram takes a look at the 2016 TCU football team position-by-position as the season approaches. The first game is at 7 p.m. Saturday vs. South Dakota State at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

TCU returns three of its secondary starters from a year ago, and it could have been four. But cornerback Julius Lewis suffered a non-contact injury in workouts before spring training, and he’ll miss the year.

The Horned Frogs were looking forward to pairing Lewis, who started four games and had seven tackles in the Alamo Bowl, with a healthy Ranthony Texada at cornerback. Instead, they will turn to freshman Jeff Gladney, who won the job in spring training coming off a redshirt season that allowed him to rehab an injury.

Texada returns after missing 10 games following knee surgery. Denzel Johnson and Nick Orr are back in their starting roles at strong and weak safety, and sophomore Niko Small takes over at free safety after holding off junior college transfer Markell Simmons.

The personnel

Starters

CB Ranthony Texada (5-10, 170, Jr.), started 13 games as a freshman but missed 10 games last year after a Week 3 knee injury.

CB Jeff Gladney (6-0, 175, RS-Fr.), emerged in spring training after Julius Lewis was sidelined by injury.

SS Denzel Johnson (6-2, 210, Sr.), started all 13 games last season and led the team in tackles for loss with 13.5.

FS Niko Small (5-10, 180, Soph.), played in 12 games last season, mainly special teams. Athleticism stands out.

WS Nick Orr (5-10, 187, Jr.), started all 13 games last season, two at cornerback to start the season and the rest at safety.

Primary backups

Freshman CB Vernon Scott (6-2, 200), sophomore CB Tony James (5-10, 162), freshman SS Innis Gaines (6-2, 190), sophomore FS Markell Simmons (6-1, 200), senior WS Kenny Iloka (6-2, 209).

Key stat

5 Interceptions from defensive backs last season for TCU after they collected 19 the previous season. The active interceptions leader is safety Nick Orr with two. Safeties Michael Downing and Denzel Johnson and cornerback Ranthony Texada each have one career interception.

What they’re saying

“It’s awesome just having somebody like that, who’s been playing for two years, been here for three years, that you can trust is going to do his job every single time.”

Defensive end Josh Carraway on Ranthony Texada

“We played more man coverages and man concepts and didn’t have as many eyes on the football in some situations. That limits those in some situations. We’ll do what we have to do to stop people and be successful.”

Defensive coordinator Chad Glasgow, on the 2015 interception total

“Kenny’s still not where he needs to be. He’s not a starter. But he’ll play on special teams, and he’s a guy that at least knows what’s going on. He’ll see time. Free safety right now, it’s Niko and Markell but probably if one of them goes down, then Nick Orr could be the next guy. We double-train those guys.

Coach Gary Patterson

Final analysis

The Horned Frogs are seeking playmaking from this group. Interceptions were down a year ago. Pass interference penalties were plentiful. And in the past two years, much experience and skill has left with Sam Carter, Chris Hackett and Derrick Kindred. But safeties Denzel Johnson and Nick Orr are in their second years as full-time starters, and Orr’s ability to play as a third cornerback means more scheme options. Cornerback Ranthony Texada provides hope as an experienced player well-versed in the requirements of a Gary Patterson corner. Freshmen Vernon Scott and Innis Gaines are promising, rangy safeties. The best five secondary players will see the field. But will it be the same five every game?

This story was originally published September 1, 2016 at 4:55 PM with the headline "TCU position outlook: Playmaking required from defensive backs."