Jack Bech Wins 2025 Senior Bowl MVP After Brother Died in New Orleans Attack
Feb 1, 2025
MOBILE, ALABAMA - JANUARY 29: Jack Bech #7 of TCU during Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium on January 29, 2025 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images)
Jack Bech won the 2025 Senior Bowl MVP on Saturday just a month after his brother, Tiger, tragically died during the New Orleans truck attack.
Bech, a senior wide receiver at TCU, had six receptions for 68 yards and the game-winning touchdown for the American Team. He wore his brother's No. 7 in the game.
"His wings were on my side," Bech said, per The Times-Picayne'sRod Walker. "... All the big brother does in life is want to see his little brother succeed. He's been my role model my whole life. The person I looked up to. The person I wanted to be. He's the best big brother I could ask for."
Bech discussed the wild ride of emotions during the Senior Bowl week.
"It's been surreal, just to be able to come and take place in this game," he said. "It's a goal you set for yourself. But if I had the option to come here and have the worst week ever, ruin my draft stock and that meant I could give my brother a hug right now, I would take that. On the flip side of that, I don't think I could have had the week I had if all that wouldn't have happened."
One month ago today, Jack Bech lost his brother, Tiger, in the New Year’s terror attack on Bourbon Street.
Bech's brother, Tiger, was a wide receiver at Princeton, earning All-Ivy League as a kick returner.
Jack Bech, who started his career at LSU before transferring to TCU ahead of the 2023 season, is coming off the best year of his career. He racked up 1,034 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, both career highs.
He'll now look to build off of his strong Senior Bowl showing with a big performance at the NFL Combine later this year.
TCU HC Sonny Dykes Ejected vs. SMU After 2 Unsportsmanlike Penalties
Sep 21, 2024
DALLAS, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Sonny Dykes of the TCU Horned Frogs reacts during the first half against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
It's been a tough Saturday for Sonny Dykes.
The TCU head coach was ejected from his team's game during the third quarter of the "Battle for the Iron Skillet" game against SMU due to a second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. His Horned Frogs were losing 41-21 at the time.
Sonny Dykes just ejected from game for second unsportsmanlike penalty to start the second half.
The SMU crowd, even the one in the press box, delights.
TCU has won the last two meetings between the two programs and has won nine of the last 11.
The last time SMU defeated TCU, ironically, came when Dykes was the team's head coach in 2021.
He was ejected after arguing with the referees after a holding call negated a kickoff return for a touchdown. He was flagged with the first penalty for the initial argument and was issued a second one for his continuous anger towards the officials.
TCU is 2-1 and will hope to mount a comeback in Dykes absence to take a strong record into conference play. Meanwhile, he will have to watch the rest of the game from the locker room.
TCU Unveils 3 New Uniforms, Helmets in Video, Photos for 2024 CFB Season
Jun 17, 2024
FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 14: TCU Horned Frogs helmet during a game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the TCU Horned Frogs on October 14, 2023, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, TX. (Photo by Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TCU dropped its new uniforms for the 2024 college football season Monday.
The Horned Frogs showcased monochrome purple, black and white jerseys, none of which is a radical departure from what they wore before. The collars saw the biggest change as the diamond pattern around the neck was eliminated.
This seems to be a conscious choice by Nike, TCU's apparel manufacturer. Baylor, Iowa State and Minnesota have all gotten new uniforms, and none of the three was all that adventurous in terms of the design.
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) June 7, 2024
Those who already liked TCU's jerseys probably won't find much to complain about with the update. Others might feel a bit let down the Horned Frogs are rolling with such a generic look. Especially with the removal of the diamonds lining the collar, there isn't much to set the school apart aside from its color scheme.
I know some people didn't like the Spike collars (I personally loved them). But you take all the personality out of the uniforms and are wearing practice uniforms now. https://t.co/hxnvZ5NQX4pic.twitter.com/HnQE6Dy1xA
The new jerseys will debut Aug. 30, when TCU hits the road to play Stanford. The team's first home game is Sept. 7 against Long Island University.
The Horned Frogs are looking to improve on a 5-7 record in 2023, a relatively steep fall from their College Football Playoff run a season earlier. They had opened the year as the No. 17-ranked team before losing to Colorado in their opener.
Nobody is expecting head coach Sonny Dykes to make TCU a title contender again, but anything short of bowl eligibility will probably be considered a major disappointment.
Jared Wiley NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for TCU TE
Apr 10, 2024
FORT WORTH, TX - SEPTEMBER 23: TCU Horned Frogs tight end Jared Wiley (19) runs during a college football game between Southern Methodist Mustangs and TCU Horned Frogs on Sept 23, 2023, at Amon G Cater Stadium in Fort Worth, TX. (Photo by Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'6"
WEIGHT: 249
HAND: 9½"
ARM: 33¼"
WINGSPAN: 79¼"
40-YARD DASH: 4.62
3-CONE: 7.19
SHUTTLE: 4.52
VERTICAL: 37"
BROAD: 9'10"
POSITIVES
— Very good speed in the open field. Smooth strider. Excels on crossers of all depths.
— Coordinated athlete overall. Graceful mover for his size, shows the ability to weave through the second level and in space.
— Effortless catch-to-run transition. Unlocks his YAC ability right away.
— Above-average YAC ability. Largely wins with size and speed.
— Flashes of natural ball skills and hands. Doesn't lose concentration operating over the middle.
— Shows the effort and strength to be a useful blocker down the line.
NEGATIVES
— Enters the NFL without a ton of true in-line experience.
— Blocking technique needs improvement. Hands and feet can both be a little slow to adjust after initial contact.
— Ability to throttle down and snap off routes is lacking. Can be clunky at the top of routes. Expected of such a tall player.
2023 STATISTICS
— 12 G, 47 REC, 520 YDS (11.1 AVG), 8 TD
NOTES
— Born Nov. 2, 2000
— 3-star recruit in Texas' 2019 class, per 247Sports
— Transferred from Texas to TCU in 2022
— 2023 first-team All-Big 12
— Attended 2024 Senior Bowl
OVERALL
Jared Wiley is an older tight end prospect, but he has impressive size, speed and yards-after-the-catch ability.
Wiley isn't hard to spot on film at 6'6" and 249 pounds. At TCU, Wiley played all over the formation, including as an H-back and out wide as a legit receiver. Wiley also played some in-line snaps as well, but he was primarily a movable piece for the Horned Frogs.
That was for good reason. Wiley's best traits are his speed and graceful movement across the field, which TCU unlocked by allowing him to be more of a receiver. Wiley excelled on crossers, slants, and wheel routes, all of which mostly let him stride out with limited route-running nuance required.
Wiley uses those same traits with the ball in his hands. He is quick to transition from receiver to runner. Once he makes that transition, Wiley shows the speed and balance to be a real weapon out in the open field.
Wiley also makes good on his frame as a receiver. He isn't exactly a jump-ball winner like Jimmy Graham, but Wiley shows good concentration and hand-eye coordination to snap his hands to the ball. He can even do so in traffic over the middle.
However, Wiley may struggle in the NFL with sharper routes. He is not a detailed, snappy route-runner right now. Stick routes, digs, and out-breakers don't look as smooth for Wiley as other, looser routes do.
Wiley will also need work as a blocker, especially in-line. He is certainly big and strong enough to do it, and he plays with the right effort, but both his feet and hands are slow right now. Wiley struggles to keep on blocks.
Wiley is a good dice roll for a team that wants flexibility and explosive potential with its TE2. Wiley can line up all over and offer easy-to-access YAC skills. At the same time, Wiley needs a lot of work as a route-runner and blocker to be a true TE1, which is a tough place to be for a 23-year-old prospect.
GRADE: 6.6 (Potential Role Player/Contributor — 4th Round)
Emani Bailey NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for TCU RB
Apr 8, 2024
FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 18: Emani Bailey #9 of the TCU Horned Frogs carries the ball in for a touchdown against the Baylor Bears during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 5'7"
WEIGHT: 202
HAND: 9¾"
ARM: 29⅞"
WINGSPAN: 70¾"
40-YARD DASH: 4.61
3-CONE: 7.28
SHUTTLE: 4.50
VERTICAL: 33.5"
BROAD: 9'8"
POSITIVES
— Violent, borderline unhinged runner. Willing to plow forward and throw his body around in whatever way is necessary to get extra yards.
— No-nonsense runner. Doesn't look to bounce plays or stop his feet. Plants his foot and hits the hole the instant he's prompted to do so.
— Good acceleration and burst early in plays. Effective through the first 10 yards.
— Above-average foot quickness and flexibility to weave through the line of scrimmage.
— Willing and active blocker.
NEGATIVES
— Lacks real top-end speed. Won't separate from the pack often.
— Loves to throw his body around, but he's only 202 pounds. Longevity will be a question mark.
— Often lacks the creativity and suddenness to get himself out of jams behind the line.
— 3-star recruit in Louisiana's 2020 class, per 247Sports
— Transferred from Louisiana to TCU in 2022
— One-year starter
— Attended 2024 Senior Bowl
OVERALL
Emani Bailey is a pint-sized running back who plays with reckless abandon and impressive burst.
At 5'7" and 202 pounds, Bailey does not strike anyone as a bruiser coming off the bus. That's how he tries to play, though. Bailey is a decisive and violent runner. He is quick to get downhill and does so with a ton of tenacity.
Bailey's violent style sometimes bleeds into recklessness, and he will start throwing his body around aimlessly. But his style generally produces more good than bad.
Bailey also shows quality vision and decision-making. While he lacks creativity in space or when presented with bodies behind the line, Bailey reads his blocks consistently and triggers into the right rushing lane without hesitation. He's the type of back who will reliably get what is there.
Bailey also has the quick feet and flexibility to weave through the line of scrimmage. He isn't special in that area, but there's enough bend and twitchiness there to switch lanes as need be.
However, Bailey has two primary issues. The first is that his reckless style will probably hurt his longevity. The tenacity is admirable, but playing with such reckless abandon at that size will almost certainly wear him down fast.
Bailey also has zero top-end speed. His burst through about 10 yards is solid, but he tops out there. Bailey doesn't have the juice to separate at the third level consistently. That will only become more of a problem in the NFL.
Bailey is a good late-round option for a backup running back. He brings a stable, physical rushing style fit for a back who just needs to eat 5-8 carries per game and be efficient. Bailey would fit best in a zone scheme that takes advantage of his vision and instant decision-making.
TCU's Sonny Dykes Rips 'Preposterous' Big 10, SEC Auto Byes in CFP Proposal
Mar 2, 2024
FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Sonny Dykes of the TCU Horned Frogs calls to a game official as TCU takes on Baylor Bears during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
It's safe to say that TCU head coach Sonny Dykes isn't a fan of the 14-team College Football Playoff structure that was recently proposed.
"Automatic first-round byes for the Big Ten and SEC is like the NFL saying the Cowboys get a first-round bye since they have more fans than the Bengals," Dykes said, per ESPN's Dave Wilson. "How preposterous is that?"
With two first-round byes available in a 14-team format, the winners of the SEC and Big Ten would automatically earn those spots under the proposal.
According to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, the format featuring guaranteed byes for the SEC and Big Ten champions has not been finalized and there will be more exploratory work on the format.
The remaining 12 teams would be made up of two other automatic qualifiers for the SEC and Big Ten, as well as two automatic qualifiers for the ACC and Big 12 each along with the Group of Five's best team qualifying. Three more spots would be available for the highest-ranked teams that didn't automatically qualify.
Dykes isn't the only coach to take issue with the proposal, as Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy called the format "unheard of."
"A playoff format that guarantees a first-round bye to any team, division or conference before the season starts is unheard of in any sport as far as I'm aware," Gundy said, per Wilson. "Based on the premise proposed, a team could be undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the country and still not receive a first-round bye because teams were awarded one before the season even began."
It's clear to see why Dykes would have a problem, as his Horned Frogs beat Michigan in a 2022 Playoff semifinal game despite losing to Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship game. The Wolverines won the Big Ten before the loss to TCU. The two programs would not have met in the first round under the 14-team proposal, with Michigan earning a bye.
The College Football Playoff will already be expanding to 12 teams in 2024, with the four highest-ranked conference champions receiving a bye.
Brandon Coleman NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for TCU OT
Feb 16, 2024
FORT WORTH, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: TCU Horned Frogs offensive lineman Brandon Coleman (77) waits for the snap of the football during the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Colorado Buffaloes on September 2, 2023 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'5"
WEIGHT: 313
HAND: 10¾"
ARM: 34⅝"
WINGSPAN: 84"
40-YARD DASH: 4.99
3-CONE: 7.40
SHUTTLE: 4.62
VERTICAL: 34"
BROAD: 9'6"
POSITIVES
— Wide-bodied, thick frame and build with big hands and very good arm length.
— Carries hands up, in the ready position to strike and establish first meaningful contact in pass protection.
— Knows how to aggressively and accurately fit his hands into the frame of rushers with independent or two-hand strikes and a potent snatch-trap technique to defeat the long-arm.
— Packs heat on down blocks and on climbs to jolt, displace and pin targets away from the ball.
NEGATIVES
— Has a bad habit of leaving his outside hand out too far/down the middle of rushers, resulting in quick losses against high-side rushes.
— Feet tend to get stuck and become disjointed late in the rep against countermoves, softening his edges and leaving him out of position.
— Play dropped off from 2022 to 2023 partly due to battling through injuries.
2023 STATISTICS
— 11 starts at left tackle (seven) and left guard (four)
— Team captain
NOTES
— Born October 12, 2000
— 3-star recruit from the 2020 class, per 247Sports
— Originally was at Trinity Valley Community College out of high school for a redshirt season before committing to TCU
— Was born in Virginia but spent most of his childhood in Germany due to his dad being stationed there as a member of the military
— Didn't start playing football until his junior year of high school
— 34 career starts at left tackle (22), left guard (11) and right guard (one)
— Accepted his invite to the Senior Bowl
— Training for the combine under Duke Manyweather in Frisco, Texas
OVERALL
Brandon Coleman is a three-year starter inside TCU's Air Raid passing game with a 55-45 run-pass split and multiple run game. Coleman has a wide-bodied, thick frame with big hands, long arms and plenty of girth. He is a fluid mover at his size with heavy hands.
Coleman excels as a run-blocker by securing and pinning the front side of counter runs, back-side cut-offs and climbs using his wide body, reach and burst to engulf defenders. He is naturally powerful and has the ability to deliver immediate displacement on contact. He also brings a physical mindset as a finisher to strain through contact.
In pass protection, Coleman was much better in 2022 than 2023, specifically at tackle. He plays similarly to former Georgia Bulldog and Buffalo Bills tackle Cordy Glenn.
Coleman wins by getting to his spot quickly with an inside-out relationship on rushers, maximizing his size, length and hand strength to force rushers into his grasp, where he can end reps quickly with a firm anchor. He will get into trouble against high-side rushes on an island due to his outside hand being vulnerable to chops/swipes, and he is tardy redirecting against counters once his feet are stopped.
Overall, the discrepancy between Coleman's standout 2022 campaign and disappointing 2023 season cloud his projection moving forward. His size, athletic ability and natural power provide the foundation of a depth role at tackle or guard, with starting potential inside a downhill, vertical run game built primarily around gap concepts.
GRADE: 6.7 (Potential Role Player/Contributor — 4th Round)
Josh Newton NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for TCU CB
Jan 22, 2024
FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 18:TCU Horned Frogs cornerback Josh Newton (2) looks to the sideline during a college football game between the Baylor Bears and the TCU Horned Frogs on November 18, 2023 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, TX. (Photo by Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'0"
WEIGHT: 190
HAND:
ARM:
WINGSPAN:
40-YARD DASH:
3-CONE:
SHUTTLE:
VERTICAL:
BROAD:
POSITIVES
— Very good press man player. Patient at the line of scrimmage with quick feet and the ability to stay square. Does a great job of getting hands-on to disrupt progress downfield.
— Plays well against the run. Quick to trigger and uses his agility to beat blocks in space. Good functional strength to take on and control blocks on the edge.
— Willing tackler who quickly comes up to support the run. Does a good job of securing and wrestling down ball-carriers.
NEGATIVES
— Short strider who is limited with top-end speed. Lacks the recovery speed to catch up when out of position.
— Can be lazy and play with a high pad level, which leads to him rounding and hopping into his breaks.
— 2022 transfer from University of Louisiana-Monroe
— 2024 Senior Bowl
— 2023 team captain
— 2023 second-team All-Big 12
— 2022 first-team All-Big 12
OVERALL
Josh Newton is an extremely experienced defensive back who started 58 games across five seasons in college. He started at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, where he played for three seasons, before transferring to TCU in 2022. He was an immediate starter at TCU over the last two seasons and was even selected as a team captain for the 2023 season.
Newton is a very good press-man cornerback, but he fits best in a zone scheme. When playing in press, he excels at the line of scrimmage, where he has the patience and footwork to mirror releases. He uses his hands extremely well to press and disrupt receivers from working downfield.
When in off coverage, Newton has a choppy backpedal and tends to rock back on his heels at times. Combined with his high pad level, that led to him having sloppy and rounded breaks.
While working down the field, Newton lacks the desired top-end speed to run with receivers and even lacks the recovery speed when caught out of position. He does a decent job of playing the ball through the catch point but has below-average ball skills and hands to capitalize on turnover opportunities. As a zone defender, he does a very good job of putting himself in the right position with leverage and playing the quarterback's eyes to the ball.
Against the run, Newton does a very good job of identifying and triggering downhill. When in space, he uses his short-area quickness to beat blocks while stacking and working to the ball-carrier. When caught in phase with the ball-carrier, he shows off his strength and physicality against blockers while also showing the ability to control and quickly disengage to the ball. Newton isn't an overly physical tackler, but he is a secure tackler who wraps and wrestles down ball-carriers.
Throughout his collegiate career, Newton was a highly competitive cornerback. He's schematically limited, but he had some bright spots in both the run and pass game. He is a high-level developmental prospect who will need a perfect fit to thrive in the NFL.
Report: TCU Knew of Michigan's Sign-Stealing Scheme; Used 'Dummy Signals' in CFP Win
Oct 26, 2023
College Football: Fiesta Bowl: TCU Max Duggan (15) in action, throws the football vs Michigan at State Farm Stadium. Glendale, AZ 12/31/2022 CREDIT: John W. McDonough (Photo by John W. McDonough /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: XX164269 TK1)
TCU used Michigan football's alleged sign-stealing against the Wolverines in last year's CFP semifinals upset, according to Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger.
The Horned Frogs won 51-45 in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl and advanced to the national championship in part because they mixed in "dummy signals" with real ones when calling plays, a TCU staff member told Dellenger.
"Sometimes we froze a play before the snap," a TCU coach told Dellenger. "We'd call a play and then we'd signal in another play with an old signal but we told players to run the original play."
Michigan and the Big Ten said last Thursday they had been informed of the NCAA's investigation regarding allegations the Wolverines sent representatives to opponents' games to learn play-calling signals, according to the Associated Press' Ralph D. Russo. The investigation dates back to at least 2021.
The investigation is not specifically about whether Michigan stole signs, which is not specifically prohibited by the NCAA, per Russo.
The probe instead involves what ESPN's Pete Thamel and Mark Schlabach described as an "illicit scouting ring." The NCAA bans "in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season)," and Thamel and Schlabach reported Tuesday that Michigan analyst Connor Stalions bought tickets to watch games played by CFP contenders outside of the Big Ten over the last two seasons.
Stalions was suspended with pay on October 20 after ESPN initially identified him as a person of interest in the NCAA investigation.
One Big Ten coach told ESPN Michigan looked visibly "desperate" as it appeared to not know TCU's signals on December 31.
That source isn't the only coach who reportedly knew about the alleged scheme, which has become common knowledge among staff members of other Big Ten teams, according to Dellenger.
"We heard they had a guy pick plays pretty good and had all this information from not your typical ways of getting the signals," a Big Ten staff member told Dellenger. "We get into the game and it's the second quarter. I see him across the field and he's checking his 11x17 sheet."
Multiple opponents playing Michigan this fall have started using wristbands instead of signals, according to Dellenger.
The Wolverines hold an 8-0 record and could sit at the top of the CFP Playoff Rankings when they are released on October 31. ESPN reported Thursday it was unlikely the ongoing investigation would impact Michigan's ranking.
