Gary Patterson and company completed their 22-man recruiting class for the 2018 season with four additional signees Feb. 7, supplementing the group of 18 from the Early Signing Period.
Nine members of the No. 25 recruiting class are four-star recruits, ranked by 247Sports.com, leading many to believe that this could be Patterson’s best recruiting class ever.
“When fans look back on this class four years from now they’re going to be very pleased,” Jeremy Clark of 247Sports said.
Six states are represented in the class: 13 players hail from in-state, five from Louisiana and one player from Florida, Mississippi, Washington and Illinois. Fourteen signees are offensive and eight players are on the defensive side of the ball.
The offense is highlighted by five-star quarterback Justin Rogers whose speed and arm strength will challenge Shawn Robinson for the starting job.
Rogers, along with wide receiver Taye Barber, offensive lineman Anthony McKinney and tight end Pro Wells have enrolled in TCU this semester and will participate in spring practice.
Derius Davis, Izaih Filikitonga, Jacoby Simpson and Ar’Darius Washington rounded out the class Wednesday.
Davis, a three-star wide receiver from Saint Francisville, Louisiana, was very versatile in high school, playing wide receiver, running back and cornerback, racking up stats at each position. He totaled 408 rushing yards and seven touchdowns from the backfield, 485 yards receiving and seven touchdowns as a wide receiver and 40 tackles, including 13 for loss and three quarterback sacks.
“Derius is an explosive athlete, who easily changes directions without losing any speed,” assistant coach Rusty Burns said. “He’s got good ball skills and game-breaking speed to pull away from defenders.”
Filikitonga, a three-star defensive lineman hailing from Trinity High School in Euless, Texas, totaled 20 tackles in his senior campaign, including six for loss and two sacks.
“Izaih has good explosiveness and burst off of the line,” assistant coach Dan Sharp said. “He shows natural power to set the edge and rush the passer.”
Simpson, the No. 3 linebacker in Texas, totaled 116 tackles as a senior, including 19 for loss with eight sacks and two interceptions.
“Jacoby is a smart, high-motor player with good play recognition skills and a nose for the football,” co-offensive coordinator Curtis Luper said.
Washington played both receiver and safety at Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, Lousiana. The No. 5 safety in Louisiana chose TCU over LSU.
“Ar’Darius is a tough, physical competitor from his defensive back position,” Burns said. “He’s an instinctive player with good short space quickness and ability to make 1-on-1 tackles.”
Fresh off a victory at the Valero Alamo Bowl, the Horned Frogs have high aspirations for next season. Patterson will welcome the 2018 signing class to campus in the summer.
