GoFrogs: Frogs Look To Continue Defensive Line Tradition

[TopFrog]

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TCU Camp '11: Frogs Look To Continue Defensive Line Tradition

TCU has had a first-team All-American on the defensive line each of the last three seasons

FORT WORTH, Texas -- GoFrogs.com continues its preseason breakdown of the 2011 TCU football team with a look at the defensive line.

Defensive tackle D.J. Yendrey (6-4, 273, Jr.) and end Stansly Maponga (6-2, 265, So.) are returning starters for the Horned Frogs. Yendrey was an All-Mountain West Conference selection last season, while Maponga received Freshman All-America honors.

Yendrey, a converted defensive end, ran the first leg in the 4x100 relay for his Edna High School track and field team. His three sacks last season tied for fourth on TCU, while his five career sacks top all active Horned Frogs.

Backing up Yendrey is David Johnson (6-2, 270, RFr.), an early enrollee a year ago who redshirted last fall.

In his first season of action, Maponga more than capably filled the left defensive end position previously occupied by two-time consensus first-team All-American Jerry Hughes. Maponga, a product of Hebron High School in Carrollton, Texas, had three tackles for loss, including 2 1/2 sacks, among his 32 stops.

Ross Forrest (6-4, 265, Jr.) and Cliff Murphy (6-4, 260, RFr.) are in second- and third-team positions behind Maponga. Forrest is a two-year letterman who originally came to TCU as a walk-on. He made one start last season. Murphy was a redshirt.

Braylon Broughton (6-6, 272, Sr.), a three-year letterman, entered the fall as the starter at right end. Broughton had a pair of tackles for loss among 11 stops a year ago. He has shown steady improvement each year in the program.

Jon Koontz (6-2, 230, So.) from nearby Aledo, Texas, adds depth behind Broughton.

Matt Anderson (6-3, 245, So.) saw action as a true freshman before suffering a season-ending injury. He's the latest in a long line of former high school tailbacks to become a defensive end at TCU. As a senior at Industrial High School in Vanderbilt, Texas, Anderson averaged 14.1 yards per carry.

After lettering in a reserve role the last two seasons, Jeremy Coleman (6-2, 290, Jr.) is the projected starter at nose tackle. He made an immediate impact at TCU as a freshman in 2009 with a sack at Virginia in his first collegiate game.

Ray Burns (6-1, 290, So.) is in a second-team position behind Coleman.

BY THE NUMBERS:
1 - Defensive linemen (Stansly Maponga) whose head coach in high school was a former TCU football player (Brian Brazil)

3 - Consecutive years TCU has had a first-team All-American at defensive end (Jerry Hughes, 2008-09; Wayne Daniels, 2010)

5 - Career sacks by D.J. Yendrey, the most among all active Horned Frogs

34 - Years of coaching experience for TCU defensive coordinator/defensive line coach Dick Bumpas

108 - Knockdown blocks recorded by Ray Burns as a first-team all-state offensive lineman his senior year at Maud High School

 

[West Coast Johnny]

My reaction is that we have no size at the defensive tackle possition.

 

[toadallytexan]

My reaction is that we have no size at the defensive tackle possition.

is that reaction due to 290 and 273 lbs being inadequate for our starters, or because the listed weights themselves are suspect, or because of the significant fall-off in weight for the 2s and 3s...or some combo of these?

 

[Frog97]

is that reaction due to 290 and 273 lbs being inadequate for our starters, or because the listed weights themselves are suspect, or because of the significant fall-off in weight for the 2s and 3s...or some combo of these?

If there was a select "All of the above" I would probably check that box. Just means our LB's are going to need to keep an extra eye on plugging the middle.

 

[West Coast Johnny]

is that reaction due to 290 and 273 lbs being inadequate for our starters, or because the listed weights themselves are suspect, or because of the significant fall-off in weight for the 2s and 3s...or some combo of these?

My concern is that we are skinny at the DT possition. I wish we had a couple of 300 pound plus dudes right up the middle, but we don't. Anyone see Chuck Hunter work out this week?

 

[Gunner]

My reaction is that we have no size at the defensive tackle possition.

Wrong, Hunter is a 300 pounder and he will play most likely. Also, who cares about size when it comes to Yendry. He is a baller. He held his on against Wisconsin and GP was impressed with his effort in the Rose.. He's 6'4 278, about the same size as was as that converted TE who played next to Cody Moore!

 

[dmpinkstaff]

Wrong, Hunter is a 300 pounder and he will play most likely. Also, who cares about size when it comes to Yendry. He is a baller. He held his on against Wisconsin and GP was impressed with his effort in the Rose.. He's 6'4 278, about the same size as was as that converted TE who played next to Cody Moore!

Saw DJ recently and he looks bigger than that. He has extremely long arms and agree that his best attribute is that he is a "baller". He is just one of those guys whose motor won't quit. Speed is the key to LHCGP defense and our D-line will be just fine.

Go Frogs!!