TCU picks up another commit

The Horned Frogs snatched up another Bulldawg.

Copperas Cove linebacker Tanner Brock committed to Texas Christian University earlier this week, joining ex-Dawg and brother Logan Brock, a red-shirt freshman, in Fort Worth.

The verbal agreement was confirmed on Saturday by Cove coach Jack Welch.

Brock wanted to get his college choice out of the way before the season started. He thought it was best to focus on Bulldawg football and the task at hand: a state championship in 5A after reaching back-to-back titles in Class 4A.

"Tanner wanted to get this out of the way and not let his future be a distraction during the middle of the season," Welch said. "He wants the fall to be about the Bulldawgs."

Brock was not immediately available for comment. He was en route to Fort Worth to spend time with Logan and watch TCU practice.

Cove's senior captain is considered one of the top recruits in Texas. He's ranked as the 32nd best linebacker in the nation and the 66th best player in the state by Rivals.com. In addition, Brock is a two-time all-state selection and was picked to the third team in this year's Texas Football magazine Super Team.

Heading into 2008, Brock has recorded 428 total tackles. It's likely he will become the leading tackler for a program that has a long lineage of linebacker greats such as: T.J. Hollowell, who played at Nebraska and in the NFL, John McKinney, who played for the University of Arizona, and Tariq Peterson, who played at the University of Iowa.

"Tanner's a heck of a player," Welch said of his linebacker.

Brock chose TCU over several other big-name schools including: Arizona State, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Purdue and Wisconsin.

The decision, though, was not about prestige or being in a big conference, but rather about familiarity and proximity to home.

Last year, Brock attended all the Horned Frog home games. He got to know the place, the team and the system.

"I think Tanner really felt comfortable with TCU," Welch said. "It's close to home, it's a scheme similar to ours that he knows and understands and it's family atmosphere."

The Horned Frogs have taken a liking to Cove football players in recent years. Besides the Brock brothers, TCU has shown interest in wideout Josh Boyce and offensive lineman Anthony Mackey.

According to Welch, neither of the two players has made their decision public.