Feb 5, 1997
FORT WORTH TCU football coach Pat Sullivan gave the Horned Frogs' 1997 football recruiting harvest a solid stamp of approval.
"From the standpoint of size, speed and athletic ability I am comfortable that this group (of recruits) is potentially the best we have had," Sullivan said while looking over the list of 26 athletes who inked with the Horned Frogs on Wednesday. TCU's list included six junior college additions.
"Some will mature faster than others, and some will fit in faster, as you would expect the junior college players to do. Still, if they are willing to get themselves ready, practically every one of the signees have the ability and potential to contribute next fall."
Eric Anderson · S, 6-1, 205. Blinn (TX) Community College/ Hurst, TX
(L.D Bell)
Anthony Bielski · OL, 6-7, 310, Illinois Valley Community College/
Orland Park (Sandburg)
Shannon Brazzell ('96) · LB, 6-0, 215, Lewisville, TX (High)
Nick Bulaich · RB, 5-11, 200, Hurst, TX (Richland)
Michael Crawford · WR, 5-9, 170, Orange, CA (Lutheran)
London Dunlap · DE 6-3, 225, Kilgore (TX) Community College / Houston
(Westfield)
Joe Hill · FB, 6-2, 210, Grand Prairie, TX (South Grand Prairie)
Larry Hollinquest · DB, 6-2, 185, Pasadena, TX (South Houston)
Cedric James · WR, 6-3, 185, Kennedale, TX (High)
Raymon Lacey · LB, 6-1, 260, Blinn (TX) Community College / Cedar
Rapids, IA
George Layne III · FB, 6-0, 235, Alvin, TX (High)
Adrian Lewis · LB, 6-3, 205, Leander, TX (High)
Allen Lewis · LB, 6-3, 205, Leander, TX (High)
Chad McCarty · DE 6-2, 245, Fort Worth (Eastern Hills)
Charlie Owens · Ath/DB, 6-0, 185, MacGregor, TX (High)
Kendrick Patterson · DB, 5-11, 165, San Antonio, TX (Roosevelt)
Victor Payne · DL, 6-2, 300, Jasper, TX (High)
Lou Porch · FB, 5-11, 223, Cerritos (CA) Community College /
Bellflower, CA (High)
Doug Shanks · DE, 6-3, 245 Kilgore (TX) Community College / Rosenburg,
TX (Terry)
Rishard Stafford · WR, 5-10, 170, Dallas, TX (Lincoln)
LaDainian Tomlinson · RB, 5-11, 195, Waco, TX (University)
LaVar Veale · DB, 5-10, 175, San Antonio, TX (East Central)
Robert Wallace · OL, 6-4, 295, Euless, TX (Trinity)
Greg Walls · DB, 6-1, 180, Picayune, MS (Memorial)
Shawn Worthen, DT, 6-1, 300, San Antonio, TX (Alamo Heights)
Fred Wright · DE, 6-3, 238, Kountze, TX (High)
Horned Frog Recruit Bios
Eric Anderson, S, 6-1, 205 · Blinn (TX) Community College/ Hurst (L.D.
Bell) ·
In helping Blinn to back-to-back national juco grid crowns
this TCU signee posted some impressive individual numbers. Anderson
enjoyed a team-high 110 tackles during '96, plus he was responsible
for seven career interceptions and 10.5 quarterback sacks in his two
seasons with the Buccaneers. Blessed with 4.5 speed, he earned all-
conference (Southwest Junior College) and all-region honors as a
safety in 1996. As a prepster, at nearby L.D. Bell High School,
Anderson gained all-state and all-district and District(5-5A)
Defender of the Year honors his senior season. He chose TCU over
Houston, Clemson and California. Son of Robert and Belinda Denman.
Anthony Bielski · OL, 6-7, 310, Illinois Valley Community College /
Orland Park, IL (Sandburg H.S.)
This strapping recruit nabbed second-
team team juco all-American, all-region and all-conference honors in
1996 at Illinois Valley C.C. DOB: August 13, 1977. Son of Mr. and Mrs.
Jim Bielski of Orland Park, Illinois.
Shannon Brazzell ('96) · LB, 6-0, 215, Lewis-ville, TX (High)
Brazzell, also a 1996 signee with the Horned Frogs, was a two-time
first-team all-stater for Lewisville's Farmers. During his final year
at Lewisville (1995), Brazzell racked up 113 tackles (including 21 for
losses) and forced five fumbles en route to Blue-Chip All-America and
consensus Texas Top 100 honors. His high school career included 563
tackles and over 50 tackles for losses (and seven interceptions). DOB:
August 15, 1977. Son of Dwayne and Sheila Brazzell of Lewisville.
Eric Anderson, S, 6-1, 205 · Blinn (TX) Community College/ Hurst (L.D.
Bell)
· In helping Blinn to back-to-back national juco grid crowns
this TCU signee posted some impressive individual numbers. Anderson
enjoyed a team-high 110 tackles during '96, plus he was responsible
for seven career interceptions and 10.5 quarterback sacks in his two
seasons with the Buccaneers. Blessed with 4.5 speed, he earned all-
conference (Southwest Junior College) and all-region honors as a
safety in 1996. As a prepster, at nearby L.D. Bell High School,
Anderson gained all-state and all-district and District(5-5A)
Defender of the Year honors his senior season. He chose TCU over
Houston, Clemson and California. Son of Robert and Belinda Denman.
Anthony Bielski · OL, 6-7, 310, Illinois Valley Community College /
Orland Park, IL (Sandburg H.S.)
This strapping recruit nabbed second-
team team juco all-American, all-region and all-conference honors in
1996 at Illinois Valley C.C. DOB: August 13, 1977. Son of Mr. and Mrs.
Jim Bielski of Orland Park, Illinois.
Shannon Brazzell ('96) · LB, 6-0, 215, Lewis-ville, TX (High)
Brazzell, also a 1996 signee with the Horned Frogs, was a two-time
first-team all-stater for Lewisville's Farmers. During his final year
at Lewisville (1995), Brazzell racked up 113 tackles (including 21 for
losses) and forced five fumbles en route to Blue-Chip All-America and
consensus Texas Top 100 honors. His high school career included 563
tackles and over 50 tackles for losses (and seven interceptions). DOB:
August 15, 1977. Son of Dwayne and Sheila Brazzell of Lewisville.
Larry Hollinquest · DB, 6-2, 185, Pasadena, TX (South Houston)
Hollingquest, one of the state's premier secondary prospects, also was
one of the Lone Star state's top schoolboy kickoff return specialists
during his junior and senior seasons at South Houston. Hollinquest,
who offers 4.5 speed, was a two-time 23-5A all-district performer.
Recruited widely on the national scene in 1996, Hollinquest finally
settled on TCU. DOB: June 8, 1978. Son of Larry and Veronica
Hollinquest of Pasadena.
Cedric James · WR, 6-3, 185, Kennedale, TX (High)
In garnering 11-3A
all-district honors for the second straight season, James enjoyed 27
pass receptions for 678 yards and eleven touchdowns his senior year
with the Wildcats. He picked the Horned Frogs over WAC rival, Tulsa.
DOB: March 19, 1979. Son of Laura and Percy Powell of Kennedale, Texas.
Raymone Lacey · LB, 6-1, 260, Blinn (TX) Community College / Cedar
Rapids, IA
The powerful Lacey was instrumental in Blinn Community
College's back-to-back national titles. After collecting a team-high
16 QB sacks as a freshman with the Buccaneers, Lacey notched 14 more
in '96 en route to first-team all-league (Southwest Junior College)
honors. Lacey, who benches 425 pounds, won consecutive national high
school shot put championships as well as back-to-back national prep
Powerlifting titles. He also captured the national junior college shot
put title in 1996. DOB: December 8, 1975.
George Layne III · FB, 6-0, 235, Alvin, TX (High) ...
A two-way
performer at Sweeny High School in 1995 and at Alvin High School in
'96, Layne averaged nearly seven yards per carry en route to 1,176
yards rushing and 10 touchdowns his junior and senior seasons. As a
linebacker he piled up 208 tackles, nine QB sacks and three
interceptions during those two campaigns both all-district seasons
for this Frog signee. Layne offers 4.5 speed. DOB: October 9, 1978.
The son of former TCU quarterback, George Layne (and Terry Powers),
the younger Layne chose the Frogs over New Mexico, Michigan State,
Oklahoma and California.
Adrian Lewis · LB, 6-2, 200, Leander, TX (High)
Half of Leander's
dynamic twin linebacking package, Adrian recorded 151 tackles
including a dozen for losses, caused two fumbles, blocked a punt and
authored four QB sacks for the Lions in '96. He tallied over 400
career tackles during his illustrious career with the Lions. Lewis
twice gained all-district (14-5A) honors and was an all-Centex
selection in 1996. He opted for TCU over Minnesota, Southwest Texas
and Sam Houston State. DOB: October 14, 1978. Son of Donald and
Janelle Lewis of Cedar Park, Texas.
Allen Lewis · LB, 6-2, 200, Leander, TX (High)
The other half of
Leander's dynamic twin linebacking package, Allen amassed 158 tackles
including a 17 for losses, caused four fumbles and had four QB sacks
in earning district 14-5A Defensive Player of the Year honors in '96.
He accounted for 440 tackles during his sterling three seasons with
Leander's program. He also was a two-time all-district (14-5A) honors
and an all-Centex selection in as a senior. He opted for TCU over
Minnesota, Southwest Texas and Sam Houston State. DOB: October 14,
1978. Son of Donald and Janelle Lewis of Cedar Park, Texas.
Chad McCarty · DE, 6-2, 245, Fort Worth (Eastern Hills)
A Texas Top
100 schoolboy in '96, McCarty authored 62 tackles and celebrated 16 QB
sacks for the Highlanders during his sterling senior campaign after
recording 56 stops and six sackings as a junior. He was an all-
district (6-4A) and all-regional honoree in '96. The younger brother
of current TCU defensive starter Chance McCarty Chad picked the
Horned Frogs over Rice, Texas Tech, Northwestern and Baylor. He also
is a shot put and discus standout at Eastern Hills. Still growing,
McCarty won't reach his 18th birthday until late September (20th). Son
of Charles E. and Blanche McCarty of Fort Worth.
Kendrick Patterson · DB, 5-11, 165, San Antonio, TX (Roosevelt)
Patterson was a key member of the Roughriders' class 5A Division II
state championship team in 1995 and earned a Texas Top 100 listing in
'96. As a deep defender offering 4.4 speed, Patterson recorded 29 pass
breakups during his junior and senior campaigns at S.A. Roosevelt. He
is also one of the state's top hurdlers. Patterson picked the Horned
Frogs over New Mexico, Baylor, UTEP and Purdue. DOB: August 11, 1979.
Son of Freddie and Maxine Patterson of San Antonio.
Victor Payne · DL, 6-1, 300, Jasper, TX (High)
The powerful Payne,
one of the state's top powerlifters and high school shot put men, was
responsible for 116 tackles, eight sacks and 12 QB hurries as senior.
He also was dominant as an offensive lineman. A four-year starter,
Payne was a 19-4A all-district performer threeyears in a row
offensively and defensively and was that league's Defensive of
Player of the Year in 1995. An honor student, he selected the Horned
Frogs over Kansas State and Stephen F. Austin. DOB: June 19, 1978. Son
of Shirley A. Payne of Jasper, Texas.
Lou Porch · FB, 5-11, 223, Cerritos (CA) Community College/Bellflower,
CA
Porch joined the TCU program as a midyear signee after earning
all-league honors in 1996 at Cerritos C.C. As a high schooler at
Bellflower, California (High), Porch playing both fullback and
linebacker had attained Blue-Chip all-American acclaim his senior
year. After helping Cerritos to a 9-2 record and a berth in the
Strawberry Bowl in '96, Porch selected TCU over UNLV and Fresno State.
DOB: February 5, 1975. Son of Lou Porch and Linda Jefferson of
Bellflower, California.
Doug Shanks · DE, 6-3, 245, Kilgore (TX) Community College /
Rosenburg, TX (Terry)
Shanks was a first-team all-league (Southwest
Junior College) selection at defensive end for the Rangers in 1996. He
had gained all-everything honors as a defensive standout at
Rosenburg's Terry High School in 1993 and 1994. DOB: April 24, 1976.
Son Henry and Ella Shanks of Rosenburg, Texas.
Rishard Stafford · WR, 5-10, 170, Dallas (Lincoln)
Stafford, a
speedy prospect at wide receiver, also is one of the Lone Star state's
top schoolboy 100-meter competitors. He offers 4.3 - 4.4 speed in the
40 dash. TCU won out over Florida State as Stafford's college of
choice. DOB: August 18, 1979. Son of Ester Stafford of Dallas.
LaDainian Tomlinson · RB, 5-11, 195, Waco, TX (University)
Tomlinson
accounted for an amazing 2,554 yards and 39 touchdowns during his
senior year at Waco's University High School. He enjoyed seven rushing
performances of 200 yards or more in '96 en route to district 25-4A
MVP and Super Centex Offensive Player of the Year honors. Tomlinson
also was a second-team class 4A all-stater in '96. This talented
Horned Frog signee also is a basketball and sprint standout for the
Trojans. Tomlinson selected TCU over Baylor, UTEP and Kansas State.
LaVar Veale · DB, 5-10, 183, San Antonio, TX (East Central)
Veale
combined for 105 tackles, a dozen interceptions and three punt returns
for scores during his brilliant junior and senior seasons at East
Central High School. He even accounted for extra-point returns of 107
and 98 yards. Veale was accorded all-city and all-district (28-5A)
honors both years. He offers 4.5 speed. Veale picked TCU over Texas
Tech and New Mexico. DOB: November 2, 1978. Son of Larry and Veale
and Hattie Davies of San Antonio, Texas.
Robert Wallace · OL, 6-4, 295, Euless, TX (Trinity)
A consensus
Texas Top 100 schoolboy with outstanding mobility and size, the highly-
sought Wallace was considered one of the premier offensive line
prospects in the Lone Star state for 1997. Wallace also garnered all-
district (5-5A) and all-Northeast Tarrant County honors in '96. TCU
landed him over South Carolina, Alabama and Arizona. Wallace's older
brother, Leon, was a former football all-star at Notre Dame, and his
sister, Vanessa, currently is a women's basketball standout at the
University of Texas. DOB: October 21, 1978. Son of Leon and Anita
Wallace of Euless, Texas.
Greg Walls · DB, 6-1, 180, Picayune, MS (Memorial) Walls was a three- time all-district and all-area defensive back at Picayune's Memorial High School and added all-Gulf Coast honors his senior year. He accounted for 46 tackles, two interceptions, three fumbles caused, three recovered and a sack during his sterling senior campaign. Walls was a two-way performer at Memorial where also massed 866 yards and 10 career touchdowns on 49 pass receptions. Plus, with his impressive schoolboy pitching stats, he is considered one of the state's top high school baseballers. DOB: February 22, 1979. Son of Gregory and Lawnese Walls of Picayune, Mississippi.
Shawn Worthen · DL, 6-1, 300, San Antonio , TX (Alamo Heights)
A two-
year standout at Alamo Heights, Worthen accounted for 74 tackles, ten
QB sacks and 12 hurries during his senior campaign. He was a two-time
4A all-state, all-district (29-4A), and all-city performer for the
Mules. Worthen also is one of the state's top high school track and
field weight men. He picked TCU over UTEP, Arizona, Texas A&M and
Baylor. DOB: September 12, 1978. Son of Billy and Rose Worthen of San
Antonio, Texas.
Fred Wright · DE 6-3, 238, Kountze, TX (High)
Wright compiled an
impressive three-year career for Kountze's Lions as a two-way
performer. He was a two-time first-team all-district (23-3A) choice on
defense, and three times he gained second-team all-league honors on
offense. Wright had a total of 105 stops in '96 including 13 QB sacks
and 19 other tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He also has been a
standout on Kountze's basketball, baseball, track and field and soccer
teams. Wright settled on TCU after considering Arizona and Texas A&M.
DOB: August 23, 1978. Son of W.L. Wright, Jr. and Louise Finnister of
Silsbee, Texas.