Thursday Update: This story has been updated to reflect the decisions of recruits who announced where they were going on National Signing Day.
10:30 A.M. Update: Four-star wide receiver Ryan Parker, previously of Tyler Junior College, has committed to play for the Horned Frogs. Parker, the second highest-ranked JUCO receiver in the country behind fellow TCU commit Taj Williams, was originally expected to sign with Oklahoma.
Known for working well with the little he had, Coach Gary Patterson and the Frogs have never boasted a top-25 recruiting class — but that all changed on Wednesday.
According to Rivals.com, TCU has the No. 15 best recruiting class in the nation. Scout’s recruiting site has TCU’s class ranked at No. 12.
The class, known as “#FunkyTown16” on Twitter, currently has 22 commits. Nine have already signed their letter of intent.
Here is a breakdown of the Frogs’ record-breaking recruiting class provided by Rivals:
Quarterback:
| Brennen Wooten | QB | San Angelo, TX
Central HS |
6’1″ | 175 | 3 stars |
Wooten was TCU’s first commit of the 2016 class. He’s the 26th rated pro-style quarterback in the nation. Wooten has great pocket presence and can accurately throw the deep ball. He can scramble when needed, with a 40 time of 4.6.
Running back:
| Darius Anderson | RB | Richmond, TX
George Ranch High School |
5’9″ | 180 | 3 stars |
Anderson gives TCU yet another quick and shifty back. In his senior year at George Ranch, Anderson ran for over 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns while leading them to a state title.
He and Sewo Olonilua should bolster the backfield in the years to come.
Wide Receivers:
| Taj Williams | WR | Council Bluffs, IA
Iowa Western C.C. |
6’4″ | 190 | 4 stars |
| Isaiah Graham | WR | Bastrop, LA
Bastrop HS |
6’1″ | 185 | 3 stars |
| Camron Williams | WR | Dallas, TX
Skyline HS |
6’3″ | 200 | 3 stars |
Since this is possibly their best class ever, the Frogs are reloading well at the wide receiver position, and that doesn’t include LSU transfer John Diarse, who will be eligible this season.
“Isaiah Graham reminds me of Kolby Listenbee,” said Matt Jennings, associate editor for PurpleMenace.com. “He’s just a speedster.”
Taj Williams was the big win for the Frogs. He is the No. 1 ranked junior college prospect in the country.
Jeremiah Glenn of 247SPORTS said he is very similar to Josh Doctson in terms of size and hands, but faster — something that should excite Frog fans.
Tight End:
| Artayvious Lynn | TE | New Berlin, NY
Milford Academy |
6’6″ | 250 | 3 stars |
Offensive Line:
| Chris Gaynor | OL | Dodge City, KS
Dodge City C.C. |
6’5″ | 295 | 3 stars |
| Kellton Hollins | OL | Zachary, LA
Zachary HS |
6’3″ | 285 | 3 stars |
| Austin Myers | OL | Manvel, TX
Manvel HS |
6’5″ | 290 | 3 stars |
| Lucas Niang | OL | New Canaan, CT
New Canaan HS |
6’5″ | 305 | 3 stars |
TCU took a major step in solidifying their offensive line in the years to come as they successfully recruited a big, mobile group.
Chris Gaynor comes out of Dodge City Community College, the same school Patterson went to before transferring to Kansas State.
Secondary:
| Markell Simmons | DB | Tucson, AZ
Pima C.C. |
6’1″ | 200 | 4 stars |
| Innis Gaines | DB | Beaumont, TX
West Brook HS |
6’2″ | 190 | 3 stars |
| Vernon Scott | DB | Mansfield, TX
Mansfield Summit |
6’2″ | 203 | 2 stars |
| Keshawn Somerville | DB | Pflugerville, TX
Hendrickson HS |
5’9″ | 169 | 3 stars |
This secondary is one of the strong points for this formidable class. Almost all of the recruits can play multiple positions.
Jennings said he thinks Vernon Scott is the most underrated player in the class. Scott looks like a perfect fit as a strong safety in Patterson’s defense. With his size at the position, he’ll have a good chance to perform better than his ranking suggests.
Linebacker:
| Tyree Horton | LB | Highland, KS
Highland C.C. |
6’1″ | 225 | 4 stars |
Horton is the No. 1 rated junior college outside linebacker. He dropped his commitment to Florida State in September and chose TCU three months later.
Horton explodes to the ball and is known for being a big hitter.
Defensive Line:
| Isaiah Chambers | DE | Houston, TX
Macarthur HS |
6’4″ | 252 | 4 stars |
| Ross Blacklock | DT | Missouri City, TX
Elkins HS |
6’4″ | 315 | 3 stars |
| Mat Boesen | DE | Long Beach, CA
Long Beach C.C. |
6’4″ | 238 | 3 stars |
| Sci Martin | DE | New Orleans, LA
McDonogh 35 HS |
6’4″ | 220 | 3 stars |
| Gary Overshown | DE | Mesquite, TX
Horn HS |
6’5″ | 215 | 3 stars |
Jennings said that Chambers is physically ready to jump right into a starting role in the Big 12.
“Patterson’s defense will want to get after the passer with just four guys,” Jennings said. “Blacklock will help you do that, and Chambers will really help you do that.”
Sci Martin recently visited LSU and Alabama but the Louisiana native said he is sticking with TCU.
Athletes:
| Sewo Olonilua | ATH | Kingwood, TX
Kingwood HS |
6’2″ | 215 | 4 stars |
| Dylan Thomas | ATH | Fort Worth, TX
Paschal HS |
6’3″ | 185 | 3 stars |
In this group, both players are versatile and have size and strength.
Olonilua played running back and safety in high school, and there was early talk about coming to TCU to play linebacker. But, he told 247SPORTS that coaches will keep him in the backfield.
“I’m going in as a running back and am going to try to earn my spot there,” Olonilua said.
Thomas primarily played quarterback at Paschal High School. Paschal head football coach Matt Miracle said Doug Meacham recruited him as a wide receiver.
“His speed, strength, and knack for making plays will create tough matchups for the opposing defenses,” Miracle said.“TCU fans should be very excited about this young man being part of the TCU family.”
Putting it together
One noticeable thing about this class is the five junior college transfers. Coach Patterson has not gone that route often in the past.
With commitments like WR Taj Williams and LB Tyree Horton, the Frogs picked up some major talent that could impact the team from day one.
The Frogs also had a shot at a few guys who were still undecided.
Tyrie Cleveland, the No. 2 receiver in the nation, was verbally committed to Houston. But Cleveland has taken official visits to TCU, Florida, and Arkansas over the last two weeks, and on Signing Day, he decided to attend Florida.
The Frogs were also after running back Kyle Porter from Katy, Texas. Porter rushed for over 1,900 yards and 36 touchdowns his senior season. Texas wound up landing the recruit.
Brandon Jones was another huge prospect up in the air. The No. 1 rated safety in the nation has received in-home visits from TCU, Baylor, Texas, and Texas A&M.
The Nacogdoches native made his announcement on National Signing Day yesterday, and chose to play for Texas.
Jennings said the fact that TCU is in the running for several top-100 recruits on National Signing Day as opposed to just one like the past few years is huge.
“I think it’s indicative of the direction the program is heading,” he said.
