Memphis transfer T.J. Carter showing off his versatility in TCU football’s secondary
T.J. Carter didn’t need much of a sales pitch to join TCU this offseason.
He had a standout four-year career at Memphis, but embraced the idea of joining a Power Five school with a legendary defensive coach in Gary Patterson. And Patterson sold Carter on transitioning from cornerback to safety, a position of need for the Frogs with Trevon Moehrig and Ar’Darius Washington landing in the NFL.
Asked about his decision, Carter first mentioned Patterson and playing for a “Hall of Fame coach.”
Then, Carter said, “We had the conversation and he wanted me to play safety. That was a big reason too. That’s about it, really.”
Despite being a newcomer to TCU’s program, Carter has emerged as one of the team’s defensive leaders.
Carter started the first two games at weak safety before moving back to cornerback for the SMU game last weekend. But Carter also had to play weak safety and free safety due to injuries sustained during the game.
Patterson likes having a versatile player such as Carter even though changing positions might not be the best recipe for success. After all, SMU torched TCU’s defense for almost 600 total yards.
“We moved him to corner and he did a great job,” Patterson said. “Then we lost the two safeties — Bud Clark went out and moved (Carter) to weak safety, then when we lost Deshawn (McCuin), moved (Carter) to free safety. He didn’t practice the two (safety spots).
“It hasn’t been pretty, but he’s done everything you ask him to do.”
Carter prides himself on being a team-first player. He has no issues changing back and forth between positions.
As far as his transition to safety, Carter feels it’s gone well. Patterson’s 4-2-5 defense is a demanding scheme and Carter is improving on a daily basis.
“I’m still learning of course. Coach Patterson’s defense is a tough defense,” Carter said. “But I’m enjoying the process. That’s all that matters.”
Next up for Carter is his first Big 12 game. Carter downplayed the significance of facing Texas compared with any other opponent, but these are the games that NFL scouts first turn on when evaluating a player. These are the games that players join a Power Five school to be a part of.
Right?
“For me, I feel like any chance that I have to come out and play this sport ‘cause, as you know, it can be gone with just the snap of a finger,” Carter said. “I try to take advantage of every opportunity, no matter who we play. It’s a big game against Texas, but it’s the next game. That’s how I look at it.”
Saturday’s kickoff is set for 11 a.m. at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
This story was originally published September 30, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
