Senior year is often a time for reflection, for members of the football team, it is a chance to ponder how their time at TCU, both on the field and in the classroom, has shaped them.
“It seems like yesterday I was suiting up for my first practice here and here comes senior day,” offensive lineman Austin Schlottmann said. “It goes by so fast, like the blink of an eye.”
Schlottmann said the relationships he’s built amongst coaches and teammates during his time at TCU have helped develop him into a better person.
“We had a lot of older guys my freshman year that helped me out,” Schlottman said. “We’ve kind of been doing that with the younger guys, just helping them out.”
Other players talked about the importance of their academic work as well.
“I got my degree this past summer and that was really big for me and my family,” senior cornerback Ranthony Texada said. “It’s helped me on the field, to be more detailed in everything like that.”
The senior class has experienced plenty of success during their careers. After a rough first two years in the Big 12, TCU has won 10 or more games in three of the last four seasons, including a share of the Big 12 title in 2014.
“We found a way to battle these teams and we found a way to overcome adversity,” Texada said. “That’s kind of how TCU’s always been, and Coach Patterson has always been successful.”
Schlottmann credited the coaching staff.
“Coaches are great,” Schlottmann said. “They get us prepared and set us up to be successful.”
A major change TCU made that can be credited to their progress was the addition of co-offensive coordinators Sonny Cumbie and Doug Meacham prior to the 2014 season.
TCU has always been known for their defense under head coach Gary Patterson. The defense was not the issue for TCU when they joined the conference, finishing number one in total defense in 2012 and 2013. The team just couldn’t generate enough firepower on offense.
Cumbie and Meacham developed an Air-Raid offense that could keep up with the likes of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech. Meacham became the offensive coordinator for Kansas following the 2016 season.
“Over the years, it’s been a fun ride at TCU,” Texada said. “Definitely had a lot of ups and downs but I’ve enjoyed my time.”
Throughout his time at TCU, Texada said his favorite memory was winning the Big 12 title in 2014.
Schlottmann said he will miss playing in front of the crowd at TCU.
“The atmosphere here in the Carter is awesome,” Schlottmann said. “It’s like nothing else.”
TCU will have a chance to win their second Big 12 Championship in four years when they play Oklahoma Saturday, Dec. 2.
