Former TCU, Texas Tech lineman Storment seeks NFL look at College Gridiron Showcase
T.J. Storment doesn’t feel like professional scouts will see his full potential when they put on his tape from last season at Texas Tech.
Storment battled through an ankle injury much of the season. He wasn’t 100% healthy until the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 28, helping Texas Tech defeat Mississippi State.
“If you watch the tape, there’s plenty of good but always room for improvement,” Storment said. “I’m finally healthy again.”
That’s why Storment jumped at the chance to take part in the College Gridiron Showcase that started Saturday in Fort Worth. It’s among the first all-star showcases of the offseason for college players aspiring to make it in the NFL.
Last year’s event drew scouts from 30 of 32 NFL teams as well as a number of Canadian Football League teams. Practices will be held at Farrington Field.
Storment will be among several notable players participating in the event that has an OTA (organized team activities) format as prospects hope to catch the attention of professional scouts. Plus, it’ll be a chance for Storment to return to familiar territory as he spent the 2020 season as TCU’s left tackle.
“I’m very fortunate for my time at TCU. It was my dream school,” Storment said. “The way it ended? That’s the business of college football. I don’t fault anybody.
“I have a lot of close friends on the team. Mitchell Hansen is one of my best friends. John Lanz, Andrew Coker, all of those guys I love. I have nothing but respect for TCU and it’ll be good to be back in Fort Worth.”
For Storment, though, the No. 1 goal is continuing to establish himself as an NFL prospect and answer any questions organizations may have about him. Storment is the first to admit that he had a unique college journey, playing at five schools over six years.
Storment started off his college career with two years at Old Dominion followed by one-year stops at Fullerton College, Colorado State, TCU and Texas Tech. From afar, it looks like a player who isn’t committed but each move was dictated by a coaching change at the school.
Storment followed former TCU offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie from TCU to Texas Tech last offseason, for instance.
“Given my unique journey, I know teams are going to ask if I’m a man of integrity and a guy a team can rely on. Obviously the answer is yes,” Storment said. “My journey has been interesting, I’m not going to deny that, but that doesn’t take away from what we can do. I want to show teams what I can do and I’m excited to be going back to Fort Worth.
“God has given me the ability to play football and I try to glorify him in everything I do.”
Speaking of his faith, Storment made it clear that he wants to continue using football as a platform to spread his message of faith. His parents started a Christian ministry called Power Cross in North Carolina 15 years ago.
“My No. 1 goal is to be a follower of Christ,” he said. “But I plan on playing football for a long time and it’s an outstanding place to make relationships and encourage people the right way.”
Storment, who is listed at 6-foot-7, 320 pounds, will be looking to take his first steps toward the football dream by taking part in the showcase.
The event has been the starting point for a number of NFL players, including Minnesota Vikings running back Kene Nwangwu, Buffalo Bills running back Matt Breida, Indianapolis Colts linebacker Matthew Adams, New York Jets wide receiver Vyncint Smith and Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke.
“This year’s CGS will showcase many players,” said Jose Jefferson, CGS’ co-founder and executive director. “T.J. Storment is an excellent player with a promising future as a professional football player. CGS hopes to assist T.J. and the others with their professional and personal goals.”
This story was originally published January 8, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
