Pierce reaffirms commitment, joins list of 14 recruits

By Chad Carey
Skiff Staff

With national signing day less than a week away, the TCU football program received perhaps its most elite commitment of the 2001 recruiting season late Tuesday night, according to wire reports.

Weatherford Senior High School running back Mark Pierce, who originally committed to the Frogs back in August, reaffirmed his commitment to TCU after strongly considering Arkansas.

TCU coaches cannot comment on Pierce’s commitment or the 13 other players who have already committed to TCU until Wednesday per NCAA rules.

Pierce, who ran for more than 1,600 yards his senior season, told Lone Star Recruiting that attending TCU is his final decision.
“I’m going to TCU,” Pierce said. “I’m going to represent the state of Texas and that is the way it is going to be.”

Pierce, who is considered the No. 1 fullback in the state of Texas, and the No. 68 running back in the nation, according to Lone Star Recruiting, chose TCU over Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Purdue.

Geoff Ketchum, of Lone Star Recruiting, said Pierce could become a leader on the TCU team.

“I would consider Pierce probably one of the state’s most intimidating players,” Ketchum said. “I can see him being a future team captain at TCU.”

TCU also got good news last week when quarterback Tye Gunn of La Grange reaffirmed his commitment to the Frogs. Gunn, who originally committed to TCU in late August, almost committed to Purdue on a visit in early January. But following an in-home visit from TCU head coach Gary Patterson, Gunn decided to stick with the Frogs.

Gunn, who lead his high school football team to the state 4-A championship, is considered one of the top five quarterbacks in Texas and is the No. 46-ranked quarterback in the nation. The 6-foot-4-inch, 195 pound Gunn choose TCU over Purdue, Arizona, Houston and Southern Methodist.

Joining Pierce and Gunn in the 2001 recruiting class are a group of players with various high school accolades. Jeremy Modkins, a safety from Marlin, chose the Horned Frogs over both Kansas and Baylor in December and is the No. 67 safety in the nation.

Modkins has 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash and will follow in his brother’s footsteps by playing TCU football. Curtis Modkins, Jeremy’s brother, played for TCU from 1989-92.

Ketchum said TCU is lucky to get Modkins.

“I would say that Modkins is a sleeper recruit that is going to make a very fine college safety,” he said.

Joining Modkins in the defensive back field will be highly-touted cornerback Mark Walker. Walker, who is Texas’ No. 33 overall recruit, committed to TCU after taking an official visit to the campus in January.

Walker said the tradition, players and coaches were the main reasons he committed to TCU.

TCU has also received five commitments from offensive lineman. Shane Simms, from Tomball, chose the Frogs in July after receiving attention from Nebraska, Texas, Texas A&M and Arkansas. Also committed to joining the Frogs’ offensive line are: Stephen Culp from Tyler; Sunny Ahsang from Central Texas; Ben Angley from Earth; and Michael Toudouze from San Antonio.

Chad Carey
chadcarey@mindspring.com