TCU Football Recruiting: Top Positional Needs for 2011

Last season was magical for the TCU football program as the Horned Frogs capped an undefeated season with a 21-19 Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin. With the win, TCU was one of only two teams to finish the year without a loss, and it hopes to build upon its success next year.

With no rest for the weary, Gary Patterson needs to hit the recruiting trail and make sure some much-needed holes are filled. Let's take a look at some of the holes left by players who are graduating and what the TCU staff has done so far to fill them.

Quarterback

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs throws a pass against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Lost: Andy Dalton

Verbal Commits: 3-star QB Dominic Merka

Comments: While TCU does have some young talent on its bench, it will be hard to replace the loss of Dalton.

Priority Level: High

Running Back

George Frey/Getty Images

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 6: Ed Wesley #34 of the TCU Horned Frogs stretches the ball out after being tackled by Christian Cox #94 the Utah Utes during the second half of an NCAA Football game November 6, 2010 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City,

Lost: No Major Losses

Verbal Commits: No Commitments

Comments: With two sophomores leading the charge, TCU is well stocked at running back. Although it is deep in talent, running back is always a good position to find extra depth.

Priority Level: Low

Wide Receiver

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Wide receiver Jeremy Kerley #85 of the TCU Horned Frogs makes a catch against the Wisconsin Badgers during the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Lost: Jeremy Kerley, Jimmy Young

Verbal Commits: 4-star WRs LaDarius Brown and Brandon Carter; 3-star WR Cameron White

Comments: With the loss of its leading touchdown receiver, TCU wasted no time restocking the cabinet with receiving talents.

Priority Level: Low

Offensive Line

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 16: Head coach Gary Patterson of the TCU Horned Frogs takes to the field with offensive guard Josh Vernon #78 and tackle Zach Roth #70 against the BYU Cougars at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Fort Worth, Texas. (

Lost: Marcus Cannon, Zach Roth, Josh Vernon and Jake Kirkpatrick

Verbal Commits: 3-star OL Jamelle Naff, Carter Wall and Bobby Thompson; 2-star OL Brady Flotz

Comments: This is the spot hit hardest by graduation. TCU loses a lot of leadership off the line, which is always hard to replace.

Priority Level: High

Defensive Line

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Cornerback Travaras Battle #18 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates with Wayne Daniels #96 in the final moments of their 21-19 win over the Wisconsin Badgers in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California.

Lost: Wayne Daniels, Cory Grant, Clarence Leatch and Kelly Griffin

Verbal Commits: 3-star DL Jon Lewis, Davion Pearson and Chuck Hunter; 2-star DL Austin Terry

Comments: While not hit as hard as the offensive line, the defensive line also loses some starters, but does have some young talent along with solid recruits coming in.

Priority Level: Medium

Linebacker

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 04: (R-L) Tanner Brock #35 and Logan Sligar #59 of the TCU Horned Frogs react after making a tackle in the first half against the Boise State Broncos during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January

Lost: None

Verbal Commits: 4-star LB Deryck Gildon; 3-star LB Laderice Sanders

Comments: TCU returns a lot of talent at the second level but also makes sure to keep itself prepared for the future.

Priority Level: Low

Cornerbacks

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 30: Colin Jones #28 of the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs runs for a 30-yard touchdown after making an interception against the UNLV Rebels as his teammate Jason Teague #27 runs with him during the second quarter of their gam

Lost: Jason Teague and Malcom Williams

Verbal Commits: 3-star CB Kolby Griffin and JUCO CB Jason Verrett

Comments: TCU again finds itself in good shape at this position but continues to bring in both future talent with Griffin and a guy who can immediately step in with Verrett.

Priority Level: Low

Safety

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 04: Titus Young #4 of the Boise State Broncos runs after a catch as Alex Ibiloye #9 of the TCU Horned Frogs dives after him in the first half during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 4, 2010

Lost: Tyler Luttrell, Alex Ibiloye and Malcom Williams

Verbal Commits: 3-star S James Bailey, Quincy Alrdridge, Chris Hackett and Travoskey Garrett

Comments: Chris Petterson has done a nice job so far trying to re-stock the safety position, but with the amount of players lost, TCU will have to get some production out of its youth.

Priority Level: High

Kicker

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 04: Kicker Ross Evans #37 of the TCU Horned Frogs at Cowboys Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Lost: Kevin Sharples

Verbal Commits: 3-star K Chad Hedlund

Comments: Ross Evans will return for his senior year, but with the loss of Sharples, TCU has brought in Hedlund with its eyes on 2012.

Priority Level: Medium

Special Teams/Athlete

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: A view of the coin-flip between the Wisconsin Badgers and the TCU Horned Frogs in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Verbal Commits: 3-star ATH David Bush

Comments: Bush has done it all in high school. He has played at quarterback, running back and wide receiver. Look for Bush to be able to be mixed in throughout the gameplan.

Priority Level: Medium