Patterson makes position switch, LB impresses as TCU camp begins

Defensive tackle Casey McDermott Vai has changed positions to offensive guard, TCU coach Gary Patterson said after Friday’s practice, the second of the fall for the Horned Frogs.

“He’s really physical — probably was our best bullrusher, which makes him a great guard, knocking people off the ball,” Patterson said. “It’s wide open after the first five. We’ve got to grow up that position. I’ve been saying that for a while.”

Vai, a 6-foot-4, 282-pound sophomore from Raytown, Mo., played in only one game last season. He redshirted his first season at TCU.

TCU identified its starting five in the spring, benefitting from the return of center Austin Schlottman, right guard Matt Pryor and left tackle Joseph Noteboom. Patrick Morris got plugged in at left guard, and Aviante Collins took over at right tackle (where Noteboom started 13 games last season).

Schlottman and Pryor started as injury replacements against Oklahoma, Baylor and Oregon.

Combined, the Frogs have 46 starts on the offensive line. Collins, who missed last season, has 23. Noteboom has 13, Pryor five, Schlottman four and Morris one.

Special teams

Patterson said placekicker Jonathan Song had a good day in practice Friday and “we were OK in punting,” where Adam Nunez has taken over. “But we’ve got to keep doing a better job,” he said.

Patterson said the coverage units could be strong.

“I think we’re going to be a better coverage team this year, even though we’ve been really good the last two years,” he said. “I think we have a chance potentially to be good, really good, in the special teams department, as long as the punter and kicker hold their own.”

Song and Nunez are taking over for four-year players Jaden Oberkrom and Ethan Perry.

Horton impresses

Junior college transfer linebacker Tyree Horton has impressed Patterson with “a very high football IQ.”

Horton came to Fort Worth from Highland (Kan.) Community College, where he was the top-rated JUCO inside linebacker.

“To be honest with you, I’ve been very surprised,” Patterson said. “We’ve had guys that go two years and not get everything that we do. He does a really good job. It’s really important for him to be a really good player. I see him as goes getting better and better and better as we get through two-a-days and into the season.”

Back to form

Patterson said cornerback Ranthony Texada, coming back from a season-ending knee injury, is “ahead of the game” among the four defenders who missed last season because of injury.

“Kenny Iloka is probably at 90 something percent,” Patterson said. “He’s just got to get his legs stronger learning how to practice every day. It’s tough to do. I see him getting better as the season goes on.”

Iloka also missed the season with a knee injury.

Patterson said the return of linebacker Sammy Douglas, also a victim of a season-ending knee injury, “makes us better on special teams right off the bat.”

Defensive end James McFarland is also back from a seson-ending injury. He broke a toe days before the season began.

This story was originally published August 5, 2016 at 9:04 PM with the headline "Patterson makes position switch, LB impresses as TCU camp begins."