2002 TCU Football: The Safeties
8/9/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 9, 2002
Gary Patterson: "Safety-wise, last year we only had one position coming back in Charlie Owens. This year, all three of our starters have played before and have done some good things. Jared Smitherman, Marvin Godbolt and Kenneth Hilliard have all been in a lot of football games. The key at the safeties will be how the two redshirt freshmen, Jeremy Modkins and Flander Malone, come along, along with Brandon Williams and Chris Peoples."
Marvin Godbolt headlines the TCU safety position. The San Antonio Taft product earned Freshman All-America honors last season after ranking among the country's freshmen leaders in tackles for loss (13) and sacks (6.0). Godbolt missed much of the spring session with a back injury, but is expected to be ready this fall. He will move from strong safety to the weak safety position this fall.
Kenneth Hilliard, who became Nebraska's most popular player outside the state following his game-saving interception at Southern Miss that lifted the Cornhuskers into the National Championship game, returns at the free safety position. The senior has made progress, despite being slowed in the spring by a hand injury.
Senior Jared Smitherman rounds out the starting secondary at the strong safety position. Smitherman is regarded as "the unknown hero" by Patterson, as he was behind three seniors a couple of years ago and has worked his way to where he had the best spring of anyone on defense. He's always around the ball, according to Patterson, and priceless on special teams.
Chris Peoples and Brandon Williams provide experienced depth at the safety position. Both could play significant roles on special teams as well. Williams is a versatile performer who could also see action at the cornerback position.
The mystery guest at the safety position is LaTarence Dunbar. The situation with depth and injuries will dictate how much playing time Dunbar will see in the secondary. He played only on defense during the last week of spring practice, so if he had to go that way in the fall he could be successful, according to Patterson. At safety, he figures to be more of an impact player, like he is on special teams.
Two redshirt freshmen were impressive on the scout team last year and should make their presence felt this season. Flander Malone and Jeremy Modkins have both impressed the TCU coaching staff. Malone took a small step backward this spring when he suffered a concussion and was out after the fourth practice.
Ken Lewis is a true freshman who got an early jump on the competition by going through spring drills with the Frogs after enrolling in January. Daryl Clay provides depth. The Frogs added Elvis Gallegos, a multi-talented prep athlete on Signing Day in April. Gallegos was also recruited for his baseball ability as well as his talent on the gridiron.
