Inside TCU's 2009 Recruiting Class

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INSTANT CONTRIBUTORS: Though it seems like there's always a number of capable and willing bodies ready to plug the gaps in coach Gary Patterson's defensive scheme, the truth is that TCU needs some linebackers to replace graduated first-team all-conference picks Jason Phillips and Robert Henson. Copperas Cove's Tanner Brock and Beaumont Ozen's Justin Isadore should fill those roles adequately, especially because Brock seems to match Phillips' style (quietly productive with very balanced skills) and Isadore compares well to Henson (fast, hard-hitting enforcer). Though senior Daryl Washington will definitely occupy one spot in the Frogs' 4-2-5 scheme next year, one of the other two spots could very well fall to a true freshman; even though Brock may not have enjoyed as much limelight as some of the state's other top linebackers, his productivity over the past two years has been outstanding, and you don't serve as the backbone of a state finalist defense as just a junior unless you're something special. ... RB Aaron Brown is graduating, and even though Ryan Christian and Joe Turner are both returning, Sherman's Waymon James could provide the homerun threat Brown used to offer. Though a little undersized for a true DI workhorse, James (5-9, 205) is actually very effective between the tackles and could be good for 10-15 carries a game his freshman year. Were Sherman's defense a bit more stout, James likely would have had an opportunity to finish the season with more than 2,000 rushing yards and 30 TDs; instead, he ended up with 1,814 yards and 26 touchdowns through just 11 games. Think of him as this year's Marcus Wright (who ended up at Georgia Tech, which also offered James) with a better inside running game.