Bowl Preview Series: Texas Bowl
by Matt Miller
In a matchup of former conference rivals, TCU takes on Houston in the Texas Bowl.
By Matt Feminis
Texas Bowl
TCU vs. Houston Dec. 28
Houston (Reliant Stadium) 8 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
Summary: Chris Thurmond, Houston’s recruiting coordinator and assistant coach in charge of cornerbacks, will wear the head coaching hat for the Cougars, as Art Briles recently made the jump to Baylor. Houston and TCU used to be conference rivals before the Horned Frogs moved to the Mountain West in 2005. Armed with a swarming defense, TCU was viewed as a dark horse BCS candidate entering the season, but after 10 games, the Horned Frogs were a disappointing 5-5. Houston’s offensive skill position speed versus TCU’s defensive speed should be fun to watch. For an early bowl game, several future NFL’ers will be on display.
Draft Worthy Senior Prospects
TCU
DE Tommy Blake, 6-3, 252 pounds, Sr. - A former running back, Blake is lightning-quick off the edge (reportedly a sub-4.6 40) and exhibits a relentless motor which enables him make plays other ends wouldn’t even pursue. Entering 2007, Blake was on five award watch lists and five pre-season All-American teams, after registering a seven-sack, 54-tackle (16.5 for loss) junior season. Blake’s skill set makes scout salivate, especially given the demand for 3-4 outside linebackers in today’s NFL. Against UNLV last season, Blake tracked down a running back 42 yards downfield. However, a bewildering 2007 season has raised red flags. Concerns were raised in fall camp when Blake returned home, and shut off his cell phone. Speculation derived from teammates held that Blake was struggling to deal with an inundation of attention from scouts, media, agents, etc. He missed the Horned Frogs’ season opener, returned for three games, then missed four straight while on ‘medical leave’ for undisclosed reasons. He finished strong, however, compiling three sacks and five tackles for loss in TCU’s last three games. Blake, who reportedly played at closer to 270 pounds this season, may have already lost significant NFL dollars, but all aspects of the post-season process will be critical for him to recoup his value.
DE Chase Ortiz, 6-3, 255 pounds, Sr. - For the better part of his time at TCU, Ortiz was viewed as Blake’s less flashy sidekick, but another sterling season solidified the defensive end’s standing as a high-floor prospect. Translation: low-risk, high reward. Ortiz is a highly productive, relentless player whose motor never stops. Merely a two-star recruit out of high school, Ortiz became a three-time first-team All-Mountain West Conference performer, notching 22 sacks and 45 tackles for loss in three seasons. Ortiz figures to come off the board in the third/fourth round, and will improve the depth on whichever team selects him. He’s a recent graduate, and was honored by his teammates as TCU’s most valuable player.
SS Brian Bonner, 5-11, 199 pounds, Sr. - Bonner is the typical, fast-twitch TCU defensive player. A high school quarterback/defensive back, Bonner has excelled as play-maker at the safety position. In his career, Bonner has registered seven interceptions, eleven sacks, and 22 tackles for loss. Additionally, he was the Mountain West’s first-team returner the last two seasons, averaging 12.5 yards per punt return. Bonner has already graduated, and was given TCU’s leadership award.
Houston
WR Donnie Avery, 5-11, 190 pounds, Sr. - One of the more underrated prospects in this year’s draft class, Avery had a monster senior season, piling up 81 receptions for 1,336 yards (16.5 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns. A burner, Avery also averaged over 28 yards per kick return. Avery is a burner with elite speed whose arrow is pointing up. He was invited to four post-season bowl games, and he’ll showcase his talent in the Senior Bowl. Depending on junior decisions, Avery may not last until the third round.
WR Anthony Alridge, 5-9, 175 pounds, Sr. - There’s no doubt Alridge’s talent is NFL caliber, it’s how to best utilize him that has evaluators thinking. A running back at Houston, Alridge is a long-strider who can fly. This season, he ran for 1,568 yards (averaging 6.4 yards per attempt), caught 41 balls, and scored 19 touchdowns (14 rushing). Additionally, he averaged nearly 22 yards per kick return. Fragility is an issue, but Alridge is an intriguing second-day prospect who could help a team out of the backfield, as a receiver, and/or in the return game.
Draft Worthy Junior Prospects
TCU N/A
Houston DE Phillip Hunt, 6-2, 250 pounds, Sr. - Hunt made the All-Conference USA first team this season, after posting 9.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. He also batted down 10 passes, most amongst the NCAA’s defensive linemen. Hunt made a name for himself this season, setting up the opportunity to become a draftable player with another strong year in 2008.
Have questions or comments? E-mail Matt Feminis: Feminis@newerascouting.com