TCU’s early signing day tracker: 22 sign with Frogs; 2 unsigned
Blair Conwright became the first official member of TCU’s 2019 recruiting class on Wednesday.
The wide receiver from Lubbock Coronado sent his national later of intent (NLI) in at 7:10 a.m.
A flurry of NLIs came in after that with TCU locking up most of its commits on the first day of early signing period. The early signing period runs through Friday, and then the regular signing day remains on the first Wednesday of February (Feb. 6).
“I like it,” TCU coach Gary Patterson said of his incoming class. “I tell you what -- really good families. That was something that was really important to me -- type of person and families.
“It’s a good class; I think we helped ourselves at every position. The biggest thing is I like them as people and it’s a very athletic class I think.”
TCU’s class is ranked No. 30 in the nation and No. 3 in the Big 12, according to 247Sports. Positions that still could be addressed, Patterson said, is defensive end, linebacker and tight end.
And the Frogs will monitor the quarterback market for possible grad transfers. TCU will enter next spring with incoming freshman Max Duggan in line for significant reps with Shawn Robinson’s decison to transfer, Mike Collins rehabbing his way back from an injury and Justin Rogers not at 100 percent yet.
“We’re looking after all the bowls are over for possibly a grad transfer quarterback if there’s one out there,” Patterson said. “Outside of that, we’re pretty much done if everybody else signs and is committed and does what they need to do.”
The class is highlighted by Wichita Falls Hirschi running back Daimarqua Foster, the highest-rated recruit in the class, and Duggan, the No. 3-rated dual-threat quarterback out of Council Bluffs [Iowa] Lewis Central.
Foster finished his career as the leading rusher in the history of high school football in the city of Wichita Falls with over 6,700 yards and more than 100 touchdowns. Duggan, meanwhile, was named Iowa’s Gatorade Player of the Year.
Duggan will be among 10 newcomers to enroll early and take part in spring practice. The others include WR Mikel Barkley; OL Brannon Brown and Marcus Williams; DBs Nook Bradford andDonovann Collins; DL Soni Misi, Adam Plant Jr. and Parker Workman; and punter Jordan Sandy.
Here’s a look at the 21 TCU players who have sent in NLIs --
Daimarqua Foster
NLI time: 7:58 a.m.
Wichita Falls Hirschi
Running back
5-foot-10, 195
247 Rating: 4-star (.9038)
Foster is TCU’s highest-rated player, coming off a senior season in which he rushed for 2,800 yards and 44 TDs. He is a finalist for 2018’s Mr. Texas Football.
Max Duggan
NLI time: 11:11 a.m.
Council Bluffs [Iowa] Lewis Central
Quarterback
6-foot-2, 190
247 Rating: 4-star (.9016)
Duggan is a dual-threat quarterback who was named Iowa’s Gatorade Player of the Year.
Colt Ellison
NLI time: 7:59 a.m.
Aledo
Defensive end
6-foot-4, 235
247 Rating: 3-star (.8874)
Ellison tore his ACL and MCL this season, but is expected to develop into reliable pass rusher.
Karter Johnson
NLI time: 7:12 a.m.
Pickerington [Ohio] Central
Defensive tackle
6-foot-3, 302
247 Rating: 3-star (.8791)
Drew interest from several Big 10 schools and was named to the All-Ohio second-team defense this season.
Donavann Collins
NLI time: 8:50 a.m.
Cedar Hill
Cornerback
5-foot-11, 170
247 Rating: 3-star (.8763)
Collins is a speedy cornerback that should benefit by studying under veterans such as Jeff Gladney.
Andrew Coker
NLI time: 7:58 a.m.
Katy Taylor
Offensive tackle
6-foot-6, 310
247 Rating: 3-star (.8763)
TCU has developed several NFL-caliber tackles of late, and Coker hopes to be the next.
Dee Winters
NLI time: 10:08 a.m.
Burton
Wide receiver
6-foot-1, 192
247 Rating: 3-star (.8688)
He made plenty of plays for Burton. Now he’ll try and do the same for TCU.
Brannon Brown
NLI time: 8:10 a.m.
Helotes O’Connor
Offensive guard
6-foot-5, 295
247 Rating: 3-star (.8668)
Brown should bolster the O-line depth when he arrives on campus.
Zach Marcheselli
NLI time: 7:18 a.m.
Broken Arrow [Oklahoma]
Linebacker
6-foot-2, 220
247 Rating: 3-star (.8668)
Marcheselli had a productive senior season with 91 tackles, including 12 for loss.
Wyatt Harris
NLI time: 10:36 a.m.
Aledo
Linebacker
6-foot-3, 218
247 Rating: 3-star (.8581)
Harris follows in the footsteps of his brothers, Hunter and Wes, who played for the Frogs. Wes, an offensive guard, will be going into his sophomore season next year.
Adam Plant Jr.
NLI time: 10:02 a.m.
Las Vegas Bishop Gorman
Defensive end
6-foot-5, 245
247 Rating: 3-star (.8666)*
Plant was ranked as the No. 41 weak side defensive end last season and had committed to Arizona. But he didn’t play for Arizona and has spent the past fall working out in his hometown.
* Last year’s grade
Josh Foster
NLI time: 7:43 a.m.
Newton
Athlete
6-foot, 165
247 Rating: 3-star (.8526)
Foster is expected to play safety for the Frogs. As stated, it’s a position of need.
Mikel Barkley
NLI time: 9:23 a.m.
Palomar College [San Marcos, California]
Wide receiver
5-foot-11, 165
247 Rating: 3-star (.8500)
Barkley had nine receiving TDs in nine games played this season, including TDs of 77, 62, 54 and 44 yards.
Soni Misi
NLI time: 10:12 a.m.
Santa Rosa [California] Junior College
Defensive tackle
6-foot-2, 305
247 Rating: 3-star (.8300)
Misi is coming off a solid season in which he had 43, tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
Tony Wallace
NLI time: 11:10 a.m.
Independence Community College [Kansas]
Cornerback
5-foot-10, 180
247 rating: 3-star (.8417)
Nice addition for the Frogs’ secondary as Wallace had offers from Nebraska and Minnesota. Wallace ranked as the No. 10 cornerback in JUCO, per 247Sports.
Marcus Williams
NLI time: 9:23 a..m.
Longview
Offensive tackle
6-foot-6, 285
247 Rating: 3-star (.8269)
Williams certainly has a projectable frame for a TCU program known for developing O-linemen.
Parker Workman
NLI time: 8:21 a.m.
Snow College [Utah]
Defensive end
6-foot-3, 240
247 rating: 3-star (.8367)
Workman adds immediate depth to a position of need. He had 49 tackles and 11.5 sacks last season.
Jordan Sandy
NLI time: 9:13 a.m.
ProKick Australia
Punter
6-foot-2, 200
247 Rating: 3-star (.8248)
Sandy flipped his commitment from Texas Tech to TCU, and bolsters a unit that struggled last season.
Thomas Armstrong
NLI time: 7:37 a.m.
Chaminade-Madonna Prep [Hollywood, Florida]
Defensive end
6-foot-3, 220
247 Rating: 3-star (.8204)
Armstrong should add depth to a pass rush unit that is losing both starters to graduation.
Millard “Nook” Bradford
NLI time: 7:32 a.m.
Fork Union Military Academy [Va.]
Safety
5-foot-10, 180
247 Rating: 3-star (.8527)*
Played at San Antonio O’Connor and was ranked as the No. 84 safety in the nation last season before going the prep school route at Fork Union.
* Last year’s rating
Blair Conwright
NLI time: 7:10 a.m.
Lubbock Coronado
Wide receiver
5-foot-10.5, 176
247 Rating: 3-star (.8594)
Finalist for 2018’s Mr. Texas Football after posting 1,546 receiving yards and 25 TDs this season.
Deshawn McCuin
Jacksonville, Texas
Defensive back
6-foot, 177
247 Rating: 3-star (.8527)
A two-way player in high school (quarterback, running back and wide receiver on offense, DB on defense) that bolsters depth of much-needed position.
Hard commits still to sign (2)
Tamauzia Brown (Athlete, Newton)
Darwin Barlow (RB, Newton)
This story was originally published December 19, 2018 at 12:42 PM.