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How a redshirt freshman LB just became hugely important to TCU's 'D'
As bodies continue to fall from TCU's already revamped defensive unit, coach Gary Patterson, with no other choice, is turning his eyes toward untested talent.
Suddenly thrust into the middle of the Horned Frogs' usually fearsome defense is redshirt freshman linebacker Ty Summers. He'll be called upon to produce in a hurry now that TCU has lost both of its starting linebackers. Junior Sammy Douglas, the unit's lone player with game experience, is out for the season with an injury. True freshman Mike Freeze, who won the starting job during the spring, has taken a surprise indefinite leave of absence, Patterson announced Wednesday.
It leaves the No. 3-ranked Frogs incredibly thin at linebacker, plus add 2014 sack leader James McFarland being out for an indefinite period with an injury, and Summers is suddenly in a pressure-packed position.
Patterson can take some solace from that fact this defense, which replaced six starters from last year's team that narrowly missed the College Football Playoff, played well on the road until allowing a couple of long drives late in the 23-17 win at Minnesota.
Patterson has made his name coaching up young, often underrated talent, and even having success moving players from their positions in high school, often turning offensive players into defensive stars.
Patterson has his work cut out now. Time might be on his side at least with TCU playing host to Stephen F. Austin this week and then SMU on Sept. 19 before opening Big 12 play on the road against a potent Texas Tech offense.
(h/t Houston Chronicle)
