Secondary Still Stacked for TCU Horned Frogs Even Without Jason Verrett

By Tyler Brett @atylerbrett on May 9, 2014

 

Jason Verrett became the fourth cornerback taken in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft on Thursday night when he was selected 25th overall by the San Diego Chargers. His selection is a testament to work he put in during his time with the TCU Horned Frogs where he recorded nine career interceptions and 34 pass breakups over three seasons. But even after losing a talent like that, TCU is stacked in the secondary heading into the 2014 season.

While the team loses an elite talent like Verrett, they will return three starters from the 2013 team that were incredibly productive last season. Safeties Sam Carter and Chris Hackett and cornerback Kevin White combined for 11 interceptions last season, including one returned for at touchdown by Carter, and 15 pass breakups. Individually, they’re as good at their positions as anyone in the Big 12 right now. Together, they form a formidable secondary.

And don’t expect TCU to be weak at the point where they are replacing Verrett, either. Head coach Gary Patterson has been raving about redshirt freshman Ranthony Texada more than anyone else on his roster this spring and the 5-foot-9 cover-corner appears ready to step into Verrett’s spot in the starting lineup next fall. Add in juco safety Kenny Ioka, who had a phenomenal spring highlighted by a fumble return for a touchdown and an interception in the spring game, and the Horned Frogs have the deepest and most talented secondary in the conference without question.

You can’t deny the contributions and talent of Jason Verrett during his career at TCU but that shouldn’t lead to any worry about the status of the secondary in Fort Worth heading into the 2014 season. The Horned Frogs are stacked on the back end of their defense and will be an elite group in college football next fall.

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