TCU football notes: Patterson digs deeper into banged-up defensive roster
TCU coach Gary Patterson continues to look at more players, including younger players, as the defense works through injuries in the first two weeks of fall camp practices.
Defensive end Mike Tuaua was in a walking boot, and defensive tackle Davion Pierson sat out practice Thursday, Patterson said. Cornerback Torrance Mosley has not been full speed while he recovers from a groin injury.
Patterson said last week “two or three” cornerbacks are hurt.
Patterson did not identify Pierson’s injury except to say it was something he tweaked in the spring from which he isn’t fully recovered.
“Everything we’ve done, another guy has stepped in,” Patterson said. “If you’re going to win a conference title, want to win your first ballgame, you’ve got to win with your 2s and 3s sometimes.”
Patterson has said since TCU joined the Big 12 that he would have to acquire Big 12-quality depth. He meant it for days like this.
“Yeah, but we’d like it to be a little older,” he said. “When you’re putting in a freshman for a freshman, it’s not necessarily.”
The offense also has its share of injuries. Receiver Deante’ Gray continues to recover from knee surgery, and receiver Josh Doctson — who had a broken hand in the spring — has not been full speed, although Patterson has not said why.
“A little banged-up,” Patterson said.
Back-and-forth Orr
Sophomore safety Nick Orr has played cornerback and free safety on alternating days, Patterson said.
“He had a pick today,” Patterson said.
Orr, from DeSoto, played in all 13 games last season, recording three tackles and an interception. Patterson said last season Orr’s speed is one reason he was getting a look at safety.
Patterson said the secondary recorded four interceptions against the first-team offense.
“We played better,” he said. “We’re not a big group, so you’ve got to be able to play big receivers. We’ve been working on that. You’ve got to be able to run with people in this league.”
Emerging rusher
Freshman Tipa Galea’i is playing his way into a shot at defensive end this year, Patterson said.
“He’s got a chance probably in the three-deep and not redshirting because he’s got a great pass rush,” he said.
But then cautioned: “Now, he hasn’t played in the stadium. But right now, we’re preparing everybody. You’re one play away from the next guy’s got to go.”
Galea’i, at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, had eight sacks and 15 tackles for loss last season at Euless Trinity.
Boykin praise
Trevone Boykin is “brimming with confidence,” ESPN analyst Rece Davis said after he and fellow analysts Danny Kanell and Joey Galloway visited the TCU quarterback Thursday.
“He is a really sharp and engaging guy,” Davis said. “You can just see the confidence brimming from him, not only on the practice field, but also in the video room. He was very sure of himself, sure of what he was looking at, very much in command when he was explaining what TCU’s offense was trying to do and what he saw on the defensive end.”
A film session with Boykin, Kanell and Galloway was part of ESPN’s SportsCenter coverage Thursday.
“Sort of offhandedly, he said, ‘I know this offense so well, I could talk about it all day,’” Davis said of Boykin following the meeting. “That’s something you like to hear from your quarterback. Not only that he understands it and knows it, but that he just sort of revels in being able to talk about it and dissect it.”
Carlos Mendez, 817-390-7760
Twitter @calexmendez
This story was originally published August 13, 2015 at 9:10 PM with the headline "TCU football notes: Patterson digs deeper into banged-up defensive roster."