Darius Anderson – Noteworthy
TCU has 23 players sitting out this spring, Patterson said, recovering from injuries and/ or out of an abundance of caution. And the program will have 20 incoming recruits joining this summer, so about half of the 85-scholarship roster is not taking part in spring ball. Among the more notable players sitting out this spring include defensive tackle Ross Blacklock, right tackle Lucas Niang, cornerback Julius Lewis, running back Darius Anderson and safety Innis Gaines. Those sidelined, though, means more reps for others. The O-line had senior David Bolisomi getting first-team reps at right tackle in place of Niang. The rest of the first-team O-line had Anthony McKinney at left tackle, Cordel Iwuagwu at left guard, Kellton Hollins at center and Wes Harris at right guard. With Blacklock out, the D-line had Terrell Cooper working with the first-team alongside Corey Bethley in the interior. First-team reps in the secondary went to cornerbacks Jeff Gladney, Keenan Reed and Noah Daniels, and safeties Vernon Scott, Trevon Moehrig and La’Kendrick Van Zandt. – Fort Worth Star
Ben Banogu – Noteworthy
TCU’s Ben Banogu is not listed among that top-tier, but feels he will be by the end of his professional career. He views himself as the pass rusher with the most upside in this class, believing he can take great strides in polishing his technique and hand placement at the next level. “I’m still raw in my pass rush game,” Banogu told the Star-Telegram following his NFL Combine performance. “One of the biggest things I talked with teams about, and they agreed, is that I’m a very good athlete and was productive in a lot of phases because of my motor and being highly motivated. But I feel I can fine tune a lot of my pass rush technique. “I think I have the highest ceiling of all the edge rushers. Guys like Nick Bosa and Josh Allen, they’re great players and very polished. For me, I’m just now getting into it and seeing where I can be in five years. In five years, I feel I can be a top five, top three pass rusher.” Not just from this year’s draft class, either. In the league. “I think the upside for this class is really big, best crop for the decade honestly,” said Banogu, who had 17 sacks and 34 1/2 tackles for loss in two seasons at TCU. “If I’m the best in this class, the way I see it, I’m going to be the best in this league.” – Fort Worth Star