Almost three years ago, Robert Griffin III burned TCU cornerback Jason Verrett time and time again en route to a five-touchdown performance and a 50-48 upset over the Frogs.
Thursday night, the San Diego Chargers selected Verrett with the 25th pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
My how times have changed.
A former Santa Rosa Junior College transfer, Verrett is the first Frog to be drafted in the first round since Jerry Hughes was picked by the Indianapolis Colts with the 31st overall pick in 2010. He is the 11th TCU player ever to be drafted in the first round.
Verrett’s selection is also the highest since the Chargers picked LaDainian Tomlinson fifth overall in 2001. The 5-foot-9 corner graduated from TCU last December with a degree in communications.
A two-time All-American and California native, Verrett won Co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year last season after amassing 39 tackles, 14 pass breakups and two interceptions. He ended his TCU career with nine interceptions and 34 pass breakups in three seasons.
“[He’s] here from a guy who gives up two or three touchdown passes the first game against Baylor, when he first came here, to a Walter Camp two-time All American,” head coach Gary Patterson said after Verrett’s Pro Day workout in early March.
The Chargers ranked 29th in opponent’s passing yards last season, according to ESPN.com.
“He’s a really smart kid,” Patterson said. “Studies film. Does a lot of thing that you wanna do.”
Verrett brought Patterson with him to Thursday night’s festivities. He spoke with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on the matter Wednesday afternoon.
Below are some reactions from Twitter on the pick.
Yes! I love the 1st pick @chargers. @Jfeeva_2 from @tcu. #BeGreat
— LaDainian Tomlinson (@LT_21) May 9, 2014
Thinking TCU's Jason Verrett at No. 25 will go down as one of the steals of the draft in a couple years
— Max Olson (@max_olson) May 9, 2014
Another GREAT #FROG to @chargers! Wonderful for @Jfeeva_2 to be close to his family! #frogfamily @LT_21 @TCU @TCUCoachP #NFLDraft #25
— K.Patterson (@kels_patterson) May 9, 2014
The NFL Draft continues Friday and Saturday from Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
