2002 TCU Football: The Defensive Line
8/2/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 2, 2002
Gary Patterson: "We are as talented as we've been on the defensive line. The key will be staying healthy.
"At the defensive tackle position, we have John Turtine, Richard Evans, Chad Pugh and Brandon Johnson all coming back. That gives us four guys who have played significantly. That's a big key for us. Possibly a newcomer could figure in the mix. Jeremy Breedlove has gotten better and better. He's been one who has learned a lot this past spring. He's made plays just with his athleticism.
"The key at the defensive end position will be depth. The last three or four practices of spring ball, Bo Schobel really started to show the flashes of what he was before the injury to his knee. His injury last year was a blow to us, because he is such a good pass rusher. I have really been excited about Bobby Pollard and Ranorris Ray. Pollard had a good spring. Ray should be one of the backups, but we need to find another one to work into the rotation. John Turntine could be a guy who could move from the inside to an end position and play there some as well."
The Frogs are loaded with talent up front. Despite losing a pair of starters at the end position in Chad McCarty and Joe Hill, Coach Patterson is high on the defensive line, even suggesting that all four of the starters, Chad Pugh, John Turntine, Bo Schobel and Bobby Pollard, could contend for post-season honors. The only question in Patterson's mind is depth.
Junior Chad Pugh is an immovable object in the middle. A very athletic big man, Pugh's strength is in stopping the run. He is extremely hard to block and has a tremendous upside. The 6-3, 305-pounder earned second team all-conference honors a year ago and figures to be a post-season candidate again this year.
Senior John Turntine is regarded as the "heart and soul" of the defense. Blessed with linebacker speed in a lineman's body, Turntine could move to an end position in the rotation. He possesses all the intangibles that make a great leader, both on and off the field.
The Frogs are excited about the return of Bo Schobel to the defensive end position. Schobel showed flashes late in the spring of getting his quickness back after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the first half of the 2001 season opener at Nebraska. Regarded as one of the team's top pass rushers, Schobel looks to be 100 percent by the fall.
One of the players who came on extremely fast during the 2001 campaign was defensive end Bobby Pollard. Pollard has excellent bloodlines, as his father, Bob, played professionally for 11 seasons with the Cardinals and Saints. Pollard started the final three games of the 2001 season, including the bowl game against Texas A&M. Sophomore Brandon Johnson was impressive in the spring and has developed a mental toughness. He will provide great competition for Turntine and Pugh in the middle as he fulfills some of the high expectations that were established for him as a prep standout.
Richard Evans saw action in all 12 games last season and should be a factor at the defensive tackle position again this fall.
Stephen Simmons and Andrew Calovich both earned letters as redshirt freshmen last fall and will push for more playing time this season. Simmons works on the inside, while Calovich plays on the edge.
A pair of redshirt freshmen, Ranorris Ray and Jeremy Breedlove showed more maturity in the spring and should experience their first taste of collegiate football this fall. If they continue to progress, don't be surprised to see either of them make a strong bid to work into the rotation.
Chinedu Ndukwe and Anthony Ruiz provide depth on the defensive line. Ruiz missed the entire 2001 campaign with an Achilles' injury, but should be healthy in the fall. Jared Retkofsky will also look to catch the coaches' eye as a true freshman.
