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TCU Press Release
TCU had four of the 11 players on Dave Campbell's Texas Football 2012 All-Texas College First-Team Defense with linebacker Kenny Cain and defensive back Jason Verrett cited as the best at their positions in the state.
Joining Cain and Verrett on the first-team defense were defensive end Devonte Fields and safety Elisha Olabode. Second-team selections were wide receiver Josh Boyce, offensive guard Blaize Foltz and defensive end Stansly Maponga.
TCU led the Big 12 in total defense and ranked 16th nationally, despite facing five of the nation's top-13 offenses. The Horned Frogs will return nine defensive starters for the 2013 campaign.
Cain finished this past season with a team-best and career-high 86 stops. He became the first player to top TCU in tackles in back-to-back seasons since Jason Phillips in 2007-08.
Cain, a first-team Associated Press All-Big 12 selection, was the lone senior on the defensive depth chart for TCU in 2012.
Verrett was named to multiple All-America teams as he topped the Big 12 in interceptions (6) and passes defended (22). He was the only player nationally to rank in the top 10 in both categories, tying for second in passes defended and sixth in interceptions.
Verrett was ranked by CollegeFootballNews.com as the nation's top cornerback in 2012. His six picks were the most by a Horned Frog since Jason Goss had eight in 2002. Verrett's 16 pass breakups represent the highest total at TCU since Goss had 24 in 2002.
A native of Fairfield, Calif., Verrett tied for fourth on TCU with 63 tackles, including five for loss. The 63 stops mark the most by a cornerback in Gary Patterson's 12 seasons as TCU's head coach.
