Breaking Down the Frogs: The Defensive Line
8/6/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 6, 2003
Gary Patterson: "We are led by three all-conference type performers in Bo Schobel, Bobby Pollard and Chad Pugh. The biggest key there is depth across the board. The young defensive line group is very talented, but other than (reserves) Brandon Johnson at the nose guard position and Ranorris Ray at defensive end, we really have to find some others to step up and be able to rotate in like we need to do there."
The Frogs feature a veteran defensive line with four seniors who have combined for 45 starts at TCU. The group loves to compete and brings a passion to the field every day, according to defensive line coach David Bailiff.
The defensive line is anchored by a pair of standouts at defensive end in seniors Bo Schobel and Robert Pollard. Schobel is regarded as the total package - possessing size, speed and strength. At 6-5 and 268 pounds, Schobel can rush the passer and stop the run equally well with an aggressive style of play. An all-American candidate who has received some pre-season recognition, Schobel figures to join cousins and former TCU stars Aaron and Matt Schobel in the NFL next season.
Pollard also comes from an NFL family, as his father, Bob Pollard, played 11 years in the league for the Cardinals and Saints. The younger Pollard was slowed last season by a hamstring injury, but regained his step in the spring and will be a force to be reckoned with this fall.
The man in the middle, senior Chad Pugh, is one of the finest interior defensive linemen in the country. Pugh missed spring ball to concentrate on his academics, but is a key component in the Frogs' boasting the top defense against the run a year ago.
Another senior, Richard Evans, lines up next to Pugh and is ready to take over for the graduated John Turntine. Evans is very athletic with great skill and quickness. Junior Brandon Johnson will be an integral part of the rotation in the middle of the line. Johnson, who could start for most collegiate teams across the country, is extremely strong in the weight room and runs well.
Junior walk-on Andrew Calovich is a bit undersized at the defensive end position, but is a blue-collar worker with a great attitude. He has gained some experience over the past two seasons and brings a great work ethic to practice every day.
Ranorris Ray will be counted on in the rotation at defensive end this fall. Ray, who earned a spot on the Conference USA all-Freshman team a year ago, may be the most intense player on the defensive line. He has extremely powerful hands and wants to improve every day.
Jeremy Breedlove is coming off a great spring and figures to work into the rotation in the middle of the line in his sophomore season. Breedlove is extremely quick off the ball. Sophomore Marvin Pearson hopes to make a strong impression this fall. He was injured all spring which has limited his progress.
The Frogs feature four young defensive linemen who were redshirted last season and will be pushing for playing time this fall. Jared Retkofsky and Maurice Bouldwin play on the edge, with Terence James and Jarrarcea Williams work inside. Retkofsky is still learning the position after playing fullback in high school, but has good size and can run. Bouldwin also made the move to the line in college after playing linebacker in high school. The coaches believe he possesses the intangibles that could get him on the field quickly. James and Williams are probably a year away from being big contributors. Incoming freshman Jamison Newby will join the squad in the fall. Newby is said to play with great intensity.
