TCU football: Deep Frogs defense has best day of fall camp, looks to make leap
After a strong close by his defense last season, TCU defensive coordinator Andy Avalos has high expectations for the unit in his second season.
The Horned Frogs improved in most statistical categories last season, including points allowed per game and yards allowed per game. The secondary allowed nearly 75 fewer passing yards per game. TCU allowed 13 points or fewer in three of its last four games.
Players like senior safety Bud Clark, junior safety Jamel Johnson and senior linebacker Namdi Obiazor excelled in Avalos’ scheme in year one. Not only do the Horned Frogs return those key players, they also have more depth at defensive end and cornerback.
That has allowed Avalos more freedom with his scheme.
“It keeps them fresh. That’s the No. 1 thing,” Avalos said after Wednesday’s practice. “It’s always nice to have depth that you can build dependable depth with. We’ve got a lot of guys that have played a lot of football and some young guys we want to play a lot of football. We’re in a position right now where the guys have been pretty consistent with how they’ve shown up to practice.”
The defense has had a strong week, with Wednesday being the best of fall camp so far. The defense forced three turnovers, including Johnson picking off starting quarterback Josh Hoover and freshman safety Julius Sims coming up with an interception during 7-on-7 drills.
Senior safety Austin Jordan said he credits the early camp performance to how Avalos has prepared them.
“With the turnovers today, earlier in the week we talked about the details and the anticipation of what’s about to come,” Jordan said. “We did a great job of that today, and a lot of guys made great plays on the ball and finished.”
The Horned Frogs are playing faster and more physical on defense with so many key players returning at every level.
On the defensive line, TCU has a strong core with sophomore Zach Chapman, sophomore Markis Deal, junior Ansel Din-Mbuh and junior Paul Oyewale, plus edge rushers in senior Devean Deal and junior Jonathan Bax. Avalos has also been pleased with the development of some younger defensive linemen who are pushing to make their way into the rotation.
“(Freshman) John Schobel got a lot of reps during the spring, and he’s done a really good job (in fall camp),” Avalos said. “He’s in his second year, but (redshirt freshman) Tristan (Johnson), he’s done a really good job on the defensive line and he’s coming together. He looks way different than he did last year. We needed to build depth on the defensive line.”
LSU transfer Kylin Jackson stands out
Sophomore defensive back Kylin Jackson, an LSU transfer, has been one of the top players during camp, working primarily with the second team and occasionally with the first team.
Jackson had another solid day Wednesday as he continues to look like a high-level run defender who has also been disruptive against run-pass options and other screens. That athleticism and physicality are big reasons why Avalos and the staff brought him in.
“He plays fast. He’s explosive,” Avalos said. “He likes to attack the line of scrimmage. When you see those things and you’re looking for a nickel, he has the ability to cover and play man and zone techniques. The nickel has to do a lot of different things. He has to be one of the best athletes on the field.”
Jackson has looked up for the challenge so far and is enjoying how he fits into Avalos’ scheme.
“This defense fits me a lot,” Jackson said. “The stuff that we do, the stuff Coach Av sets up for us, it’s a good fit for me.”
At cornerback, the depth continues to stand out, as sophomore Vernon Glover and senior Avery Helm look to be fully recovered from their season-ending injuries from last August. Helm nearly had an interception during 7-on-7 drills Wednesday, and Glover broke up multiple deep passes.
“Those guys have done a good job. It’s exciting to see them back on the field,” Avalos said. “They’re guys that can help us compete each and every week. Avery’s played a lot of football, and Vern’s on his way to playing a lot of football. It’s a blessing that they’re back out there.”
Core four linebackers for Horned Frogs
TCU is also in good shape at linebacker with a core four of Obiazor, senior Kaleb Elarms-Orr, sophomore Max Carroll and sophomore Michael Teason.
Elarms-Orr and Obiazor have all-conference potential. Teason was a FCS All-American at Missouri State, and Carroll could have the most upside in the room. It’s the one position where depth is questionable, with most of the third-team reserves being true freshmen, but Avalos is still thrilled with how the room has performed so far.
“I love them,” Avalos said. “As a former linebacker it’s fun to watch them play. You want three-phase linebackers, ones that can react to the run game, the pass game and play in space. They’re really good blitzers. Talking about those three-phase linebackers, that’s what we recruit, that’s what we’re working to develop, and it’s fun to watch those guys play.”
With plenty of depth and leadership across the board, the TCU defense is playing like it is capable of being one of the best in the Big 12, but there’s still a long way to go to reach that point.
“All the stats, all the goals you have will come to life if you commit to doing the little things right now,” Avalos said. “In my heart I know we have players that are great young men to get it done and be a successful defense. It’s about building the skills and habits right now.”
