TCU football preview: Safeties aiming to prove they’re among the nation’s elite
With all three starters returning, TCU could have one of the nation’s top safety groups.
That’s huge for the Horned Frogs due to how important the safeties are in the 3-3-5 defense and now they’ll be more comfortable in the second year of the system.
Mark Perry, Bud Clark and Millard Bradford all mesh well together on the field due to their different roles. Perry is the hard-hitting box safety, Clark was the ballhawk and Bradford was the jack-of-all trades that held the defense together.
Behind them are a promising group of young players that makes the outlook for the position bright for years to come. The Star-Telegram continues its TCU football preview with a look at the safeties.
Safeties preview
Players listed on the roster: Abe Camara, Mark Perry, Chace Biddle, Randon Fontenette, Josh Foster, Bud Clark, Jordan Lester, Javeon Wilcox, Jamel Johnson, Millard Bradford, Jake Milliman, Kevin Ward, Joshua Spaeth, Daveion Crawford
Production from 2022: Perry transferred in from Colorado and was second on the team in tackles with 84 and 6.5 for loss. Clark had a team-high five interceptions including a pix six in the Fiesta Bowl win over Michigan. Clark’s five interceptions were the second most in the Big 12.
Bradford had 58 tackles and eight pass breakups in 12 games of action at the most integral position of the 3-3-5 defense. Camara started eight games across the safety positions and was a valuable reserve with 54 tackles and six pass breakups. Biddle played in 12 games as a freshman, mostly on special teams.
Foster played in 14 games and started one as a reserve safety.
Projected starters: Millard Bradford, Bud Clark, Mark Perry
Next up: Abe Camara, Jamel Johnson, Randon Fontenette, Josh Foster, Chace Biddle
Breakdown: Safety is one of the few positions that shouldn’t have much of a position battle with Clark, Perry and Bradford being locked in as the starters. The trio meshes well together due to their different strengths and should be one of the best starting units in the Big 12.
It wouldn’t be a surprise for either of the three to be hear their name called in the 2024 NFL Draft. It should be noted On3 ranked TCU’s safeties No. 7 in the country. A lofty, but appropriate rating as they were the backbone of TCU’s defense.
Behind them you have Camara who played at a starter level when on the field. He’s aggressive in run support and delivered some big hits last season. The future is bright for Johnson and Fontenette, who were both early enrollee freshmen. After seeing them both perform in the spring both will push Foster to break into the two-deep and one or both just might.
Biddle was a four-star recruit and there was a reason he played in so many games a year ago. Wilcox is another true freshman to watch as he was rated a four-star recruit and a top-70 player in the state of Texas. Lester was a three-star recruit at Mesquite Horn.
Storyline to watch at fall camp: TCU signed three four-star safeties in its 2023 class and two were early enrollees. How will they continue to develop in the fall?
Biggest question: Can the Horned Frogs get out of fall camp with the starters healthy?
Best case scenario: TCU’s safeties live up to their ranking as one of the country’s best and at least two of Clark, Perry, Bradford are selected in the NFL Draft. Younger players like Johnson and Wilcox are able to get valuable game reps to build towards the future.
Worst case scenario: Bradford and Clark missed time last season due to injuries and once again the injury bug hits the unit, forcing Camara or Foster back into the starting lineup where there’s a drop-off in production.
