NFL draft may leap over many Frogs
By Danny Gillham
Skiff Staff

When the Frogs’ 23 seniors put on their purple jersey for the last time at the Liberty Bowl, a few expected to carry on their football careers by being picked in the NFL Draft.

However with the draft now one day away, it is pretty safe to say this TCU class won’t match the six Frogs taken in the 2001 draft.

Scouts poke and prod at workouts. They want to know your vertical jump, 40-yard dash time and what you had for breakfast that morning. Many times it seems on the field performance takes a backseat to individual drills and tests.

Norm Hitzges, a sports radio personality on KTCK-AM (1310 The Ticket) who covers the draft, said linebacker LaMarcus McDonald may be the only TCU player drafted.

McDonald was the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year in 2002, registering 118 tackles (30 for losses) and 8.5 sacks.

However, McDonald showed up for the Senior Bowl at 209 pounds, extremely slender in NFL standards for a linebacker. He then quickly packed on 20 pounds before the NFL Scouting Combine, causing his 40-yard dash time to rise in the 4.9 area.

Once thought to be a second round pick, McDonald could likely slip out of the first day altogether, and Hitzges agreed.

“Basically he’s small and slow,” Hitzges said. “I see him probably being drafted on the second day now.”

Hitzges said McDonald could have benefited by playing his last year of eligibility in college, but feels he still has a chance to be productive.

“Linebacker is the position the NFL makes the most mistakes at, because they want size and speed,” Hitzges said. “He is slow of foot, but he is not slow at getting to the ball.”

Teams rumored to be interested in McDonald include the Bills, Lions, Eagles and Dolphins.

The next probable player to be drafted would be cornerback Jason Goss. An All C-USA selection, Goss has been mentioned on the Patriots Web site and figures to be a late round selection.

With Both Goss and McDonald figured to be picked later in the draft, Hitzges said, the key for the two to be successful in the pros is playing special teams.

“If you can’t come in at linebacker or defensive back in this league and play special teams, and you are not a superstar, then you are not in this league,” Hitzges said.

Receivers LaTarence Dunbar and Adrian Madise appear to be the only other Frogs with the possibility of being selected. Dunbar is aided by his ability to return kicks and athleticism, and received mention on an online article from the Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Hitzges said it doesn’t surprise him the senior duo isn’t getting much attention, cause receivers always fall in the draft.

“When looking at Dunbar and Madise, there are 40 guys like them after the draft is over,” Hitzges said. “It’s an indistinguishable group.”

Even if the Frogs don’t get a phone call over the weekend from a team, the chances of them still getting a chance to play is high.

“With 32 teams allowed to bring 80 guys with them to (training) camp with them, you are looking at over 3,000 people,” Hitzges said. “They will probably get an invite, and may also have a chance to play in the arena league.”

d.r.gillham@tcu.edu