Gary Patterson and TCU received a commitment from three-star multi-dimensional offensive skill player. Sound familiar?
Taye Barber, a three-star 2018 athlete from Cypress (Texas) High School, committed to the Horned Frogs on Sunday after a visit to Fort Worth. He picked them over a pile of other big-time offers that included Clemson, Oklahoma State, Tennessee and others.
"I felt like if I went to another school, it wouldn't feel right," he told HERO Sports. "Everything I needed and wanted was right there."
MORE: Can TCU's Kyle Hicks Lead the Big 12 in Rushing in 2017?
What he needed and wanted was a chance to be the next explosive, versatile player that has become a staple of the Gary Patterson era. Receivers and return men like Cory Rodgers, Jeremy Kerley and KaVontae Turpin and all-purpose backs like Aaron Brown and Kyle Hicks are a big reason TCU has averaged more than nine wins the last 16 seasons.
"Play slot, sometimes motion to running back," the 5-foot-9, 185-pounder said of the coaching staff's plans for him. "Also trick plays, vertical threat. It's a lot of stuff."
Some of the offers came from schools who recruited Barber as a defensive back. Though he included some of those schools (e.g. Clemson) in a top-12 finalist list on June 18, he wanted to play on offense.
"I just didn't want to play only defense. If I played defense, I wanted to do both offense and defense — or just straight offense and returning."
A humble and appreciative young man, Barber still isn't shy about touting his talents. He knows he's fast (4.3-4.4); He knows he's explosive; and he knows he can be the next Swiss Army knife for a TCU offense that knows how to use all-purpose players.
"Great hands, explosive and amazing ball skills." he said when asked how to describe his game and how he's similar to current and former Horned Frogs like junior KaVontae Turpin. "And great in open space. Just get me the ball and I'll make something happen."
Barber has not decided if he'll shut down recruitment or keep it open and take some visits this fall. He is the 15th pledge for a TCU class that ranks third in the Big 12 and 20th in the nation.
