With the creation of the NCAA earling signing period in December, as college football fans we forget that there is a “traditional” signing day in early February. This year, Punxsutawney Phil had to share his Groundhog Day with eager football recruits ready to make their names known at the collegiate level.
TCU and new head coach Sonny Dykes were busy shoring up new recruits to fill in holes left open due to graduations and transfers. The first signing of the day on February 2nd was WR DJ Allen from Gladewater, TX. Allen is regarded as a four star recruit and only committed to the Horned Frogs the day before the national signing day so he comes as a bit of a surprise to TCU fans, albeit a hopefully outstanding surprise. Allen is 5’11” and 180 pounds and is highly touted as a speedster who can burn up routes while playing slot receiver or just outrun defensive backs if playing on the outside. Allen also received offers from Arkansas, Florida and USC but chose to stay in-state and begin his collegiate career in Fort Worth.
The second national signee that the Horned Frogs picked up was CB Ronald Lewis III from New Orleans, LA. Lewis is a three star recruit and widely recognized for being in the Top 100 nationaly at the cornerback position for high school players. Interestingly enough, Lewis changed his commitment on February 1st from Texas to TCU and the Horned Frogs are picking up a speedster defensively as Lewis placed second in Louisiana in the 110 meter hurdles while a junior in high school. Lewis also turned down other offers from Colorado, Boston College, Oregon State, Jackson State among others.
TCU needs to shore up its defensive line this coming season and Sonny Dykes set his sights on a couple of solid DL recruits. The first signee was DL Lwal Uguak from Edmonton, Alberta. The Canadian native is a transfer from UConn and played in a total of 34 games so he brings solid college playing experience with him. Uguak registered 34 tackles including 3.5 tackles for losses and seven QB hurries in the 2021 season. Uguak is used to winning at the prep level and also won a provincial trophy in Alberta during his high school days. Joining Uguak on the defensive line is another great win for the Horned Frogs as DL Connor Lingren signed on Wednesday. Lingren, out of College Station, TX (ironically recruited right out of Texas A&M’s backyard) will immediately bring size to the TCU defensive line as Lingren is listed as 6’5″ and well over 300 pounds. Lingren was pursued by Purdue, Vanderbilt and Arizona State among other so their loss is TCU’s gain and Lingren looks to make a quick impact come spring drills.
