Director of Athletics Media Relations Mark Cohen confirmed Wednesday that TCU conducts criminal background checks on athletes.

“We utilize background checks as one of many tools when recruiting prospective student-athletes,” Cohen wrote in a statement. “Suffice it to say, we try very hard to recruit athletes who are good community citizens and leaders in their respective sports. So far, we are pleased with our recent recruits, and we look forward to continued success in all of our sports programs.”

Cohen said he did not know how long the background checks had been in effect.

The statement follows a Sports Illustrated/CBS News report that ranked TCU’s football program best among SI’s preseason top 25 with the fewest number of players with criminal records.