WEATHERFORD —
SI.com has named TCU cornerback Jason Verrett a first-team All-American with defensive end Devonte Fields receiving honorable-mention accolades.
Verrett has also been tabbed a second-team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and a third-team All-American by the Associated Press.
Verrett tops the Big 12 in interceptions (6) and passes defended (20). He is the only player in the nation to rank in the top 10 in the country in both categories. Verrett helps anchor a TCU defense that tops the Big 12 and ranks 18th nationally despite having only one senior on its depth chart and facing five of the nation’s top-12 offenses.
A first-team All-Big 12 selection, Verrett was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year by the San Antonio Express-News.
Verrett’s six interceptions are the most by a Horned Frog since Jason Goss had eight in 2002. The 14 pass breakups by Verrett mark the highest total by a TCU player since Mark Walker (14) in 2003.
In addition to his efforts on defense, Verrett has also made his mark on special teams. He blocked a West Virginia field-goal attempt in the first overtime, paving the way for the Horned Frogs to win in double overtime.
Fields is the Associated Press Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous selection by the conference coaches as the Defensive Freshman of the Year. He is a consensus Freshman All-American and the National Defensive Freshman of the Year by multiple outlets.
A native of Arlington, Texas, Fields tops the Big 12 in tackles for loss (17 1/2) while ranking second in sacks (9.0). He’s forced two fumbles and recovered one while recording an interception and three pass breakups.
Fields’ nine sacks have broken the TCU freshman record of seven set by eventual NFL All-Pro Aaron Schobel in 1997. The nine sacks tie for sixth-best in a season at TCU. Fields has taken part in a sack in eight of 12 games. His 49 tackles top the defensive front.
