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An ongoing drug investigation at TCU has already resulted in arrests of four key football players and 13 other students. SI.com: Inside the affidavits. EDSBS: Fulmer Cup scoring.
The TCU Horned Frogs, along with the school's administration, student body, family, alumni and fans, are still reeling from the drug sting that ended in multiple arrests and four players being kicked off the football team.
The Associated Press, via Sports Illustrated, reports that TCU head coach Gary Patterson is trying to maintain a business-as-usual attitude and forge ahead with his preparations for next season.
"The most disappointing thing for me is I kind of felt like everybody decided ... all of a sudden that we went from really good to everybody's bad,'' Patterson said, speaking publicly for the first time since the Feb. 15 arrests. "And that's not true.''
There were some rumors that the football team had a mass failure of a Feb. 1 surprise drug test, but the Fort Worth Star-Telegram put the failure number at five players on the day after the arrests.
While not getting specific, Patterson said Friday that "the numbers that were thrown out early are not true. ... Reality is somewhere in between.''
The story is far from being completely revealed, but Patterson and the school administrators have been dealing with the situation as well as could be expected.
For more developments on this story, please keep checking this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding the TCU Horned Frogs, please visit Frogs O' War, or check out SB Nation Dallas.
The TCU Horned Frogs' football stadium was torn down after last season, and is being constructed anew. It is very pretty. To metaphor a metaphor, let's note TCU's football roster has also been rent asunder and must be rebuilt. It's so easy!
The losses, due to the great Fort Worth drug caper of February 2012, are heavy. Starters LB Tanner Brock, NT D.J. Yendrey, and S Devin Johnson were all arrested, as was potential starter OT Ty Horn. I took a crack at the depth chart damage here, but it's safe to say Gary Patterson has on his hard hat, which he never takes off anyway. I'm sort of scared of Gary Patterson.
Patterson's first move, as Frogs O' War notes: giving some walk-ons a shot at linebacker, one of the thinnest positions considering that Tank Carder has also moved on. Big Sam Carter has taken over for Johnson for the time being, while fellow safety Danny Heiss has slid down to LB.
Stefan Stevenson views the tackle spots on each side of the ball as the biggest competitions, with only two offensive line positions good to go and a whole lot of humanity battling to replace Yendrey.
For more on Horned Frogs football, visit TCU blog Frogs O' War, plus SB Nation Dallas.
Those four TCU Horned Frogs players who have been accused of running a criminal organization from Ty Horn's Fort Worth house could face probation instead of jail time. The Wall Street Journal reports both prosecutors and defense lawyers say time in the slammer is unlikely for the 18 students arrested in the drug sweep.
So, yep, that's the story. We've gone from all of Texas Christian being jailed for decades due to a drug-ravaged cult to four or so players maybe getting probation. This story has been kind of a downer for fans of legal intrigue and jailhouse daring, but it would seem to fit the crime of selling stuff, even if felonies are involved.
Those five Frogs who allegedly failed coach Gary Patterson's Feb. 1 drug test may or may not have been included in the group of arrested players.
For more on Horned Frogs football, visit TCU blog Frogs O' War, plus SB Nation Dallas.
Over the past two days, the TCU Horned Frogs have not only seen four players arrested due to marijuana distribution, but have also seen their entire operation branded as just one big Copacabana. Two of the soon-to-be collared players allegedly told police that scores of their teammates were also using. Though that's barely even possible, the number 82 caught on.
Former players have expressed shock to the Star-Telegram's Stefan Stevenson, with one saying TCU's drug culture was limited to "a small group of guys." Jeff Olson, the outgoing left tackle who tweeted Thursday to clarify that football players weren't involved in the hard drugs ring, told Stevenson he felt "shock" and "concern" after hearing about the news.
The investigation is ongoing. Since the four Frogs are accused of selling to players, there could also be subsequent warrants out for the buyers as well.
For more on Horned Frogs football, visit TCU blog Frogs O' War, plus SB Nation Dallas.
Former TCU Horned Frogs safety Devin Johnson may have a future career in politics. After his alleged mid-drug deal estimation that 82 TCU players failed a drug test administered by Gary Patterson, the Star-Telegram reports he was off by just a tad. Five players failed the test, while 11 had trace elements of marijuana -- 86 players showed no signs of drugs whatsoever.
We don't know whether the four players arrested as part of a six-month campus sweep -- Johnson, Tanner Brock, D.J. Yendrey, and Ty Horn -- were included in the five who failed the test. It would probably not surprise any of us to learn that one or two may have been.
Even if we lumped the five and 11 figures together, which wouldn't be fair to the 11, the team still doesn't exactly come across as the smoker's paradise envisioned by Brock and Johnson. Sixteen total players with any amount of weed in their systems would actually mean TCU's football team ranks below the national marijuana use average, according to one government study, which settled on 21 percent of college students.
For more on Horned Frogs football, visit TCU blog Frogs O' War, plus SB Nation Dallas.
The TCU Horned Frogs will be without at least four players due to the freshly-busted Fort Worth drug ring. Three of them are definite major losses while the other looked ready to take on a significant role as a junior. Based on TCU's most recent depth chart (the Poinsettia Bowl), here's a look at who might have to step up.
The easiest loss to tabulate is that of linebacker Tanner Brock, who didn't play much in 2011 due to an injury, but was the team's leading tackler in 2010. Kenny Cain held down the job last year and led the team in tackles, so little should be expected to change there. The loss of senior middle linebackers Tank Carder and Kris Gardner remains the bigger concern, but it might've been nice to see what Brock and Cain could do on the field at the same time.
Replacing defensive tackle D.J. Yendrey might not be as disastrous as it seems. He started every game after being named All-Mountain West in 2010, leading all interior linemen in tackles, and he's backed by rising sophomores Jon Lewis and David Johnson. But the two played an active role in the line rotation combining for 44 tackles. Incoming freshman Chuck Hunter, a 295-pound four-star, could see playing time.
Devin Johnson didn't start the entire year, but finished the year strong, producing 47 tackles. TCU runs a five-DB set as its base defense. This means defensive back depth is important, you see. Big rising sophomore Sam Carter (220 pounds) is listed next on the depth chart at strong safety. He played in bits of 11 games as a redshirt freshman.
Ty Horn was listed as Robert Deck's backup at right tackle, but Deck is a departing senior, one of four seniors listed on the two-deep starting line, including starting left tackle Jeff Olson. Horn wasn't a sure thing to take over one of the two tackle spots, but he'd have to be considered a front-runner. James Dunbar and Nykiren Wellington are the only tackles left on the most recent depth chart. TCU brought in four offensive line signees this class, and they'll probably need at least a couple to suit up.
For more on Horned Frogs football, visit TCU blog Frogs O' War, plus SB Nation Dallas.
Seventeen Texas Christian University students were arrested on Wednesday as part of a six-month drug sting, four of whom were members of the TCU Horned Frogs football team.
All 17 arrest warrant affidavits from the drug bust are available here. It was the explosive claim that 82 players failed Gary Patterson's surprise Feb. 1 drug test that is making the most headlines. One TCU player has denied that claim and now the university is distancing itself from that number as well, saying that such claims could never be proven:
"The comments about failed drug tests made by the separated players in affidavits cannot be verified simply because they were made in the context of a drug buy," the school said. Patterson declined to answer questions beyond his prepared statement.
TCU Chancellor Victor Boschini, Jr. also released his own statement, drawing a line in the sand in how the school will deal with the offenders:
The students involved were immediately separated from TCU and criminally trespassed from campus. Further, according to University policy, students arrested and found in violation of distributing drugs are subject to immediate expulsion from TCU.
Meanwhile, some of the TCU players arrested are beginning to leave jail and make their own, uh, statements:
TCU star linebacker Tanner Brock just yelled obscenities at reporters when he came out of the jail.
— Jane McGarry (@TheJaneMcGarry) February 15, 2012
For more on Horned Frogs football, visit TCU blog Frogs O' War, plus SB Nation Dallas.
Ordinarily, you'd see a tweet from a college student about not doing drugs and give it the old "Yeah, we'll see." But when TCU Horned Frogs DB Kolby Griffith denies a possibly addled claim that 82 players (from a roster of 85 scholarship players, max) all failed a drug test on the same day, you can go ahead and believe him.
This rumor about 82 of us failing a drug test is false completely false
— Kolby Griffin (@kolbygriffin12) February 15, 2012
The next number that needs shooting down: TCU linebacker Tanner Brock's estimate that 60 of his teammates would probably fail a drug test. Do I hear 50? Do I hear 45? 40?
All 17 arrest warrant affidavits from the great Texas Christian drug bust are available here, including the two TCU Horned Frogs players whose business hasn't already been made quite public: defensive back Devin Johnson and offensive lineman Ty Horn.
Johnson's warrant document includes an explosive claim that 82 players failed Gary Patterson's surprise Feb. 1 drug test, which you can choose to believe if you want. However, that Feb. 1 date is interesting, since Patterson reportedly learned about the rampant drug use from a disturbed recruit and Feb. 1 was National Signing Day. Specific details are recorded about an alleged sale Johnson made in December to an undercover officer.
TCU may not even have 82 scholarship football players, so that's pretty much an impossible claim unless every last player on the roster happened to have done drugs in the previous few days.
For more on Horned Frogs football, visit TCU blog Frogs O' War, plus SB Nation Dallas.
TCU Horned Frogs coach Gary Patterson has said "drugs and drug use will not be tolerated" on his campus. But linebacker Tanner Brock, one of four players arrested for allegedly selling drugs from a Fort Worth house, told police that TCU's roster would be wiped out if drug tests were imposed. So what gives?
For one thing, Patterson's reportedly stepped up enforcement since hearing about the blooming scandal:
Source: TCU's Gary Patterson ordered pop drug test of entire team recently after being told by recruit of drug use.
— Stefan Stevenson (@FollowtheFrogs) February 15, 2012
For another thing, people on drugs tend to overestimate the numbers of people who also use drugs. But the actual number is probably higher than Patterson would like. That's something we can safely conclude, especially since the arrested players were accused of selling to teammates. And since everyone involved was a college student.
For more on Horned Frogs football, visit TCU blog Frogs O' War, plus SB Nation Dallas.
Four TCU Horned Frogs football players were arrested for allegedly taking part in a Fort Worth drug ring. Tanner Brock, D.J. Yendrey, and Ty Horn were specifically accused of selling hydroponic marijuana from a city house, the Star-Telegram reports, while TCU police chief Steve McGee said all 17 individuals arrested were drug dealers in one capacity or another.
Brock and Yendrey were charged with felonies, according to their arrest warrant affidavits, which list very specific instances of hand-to-hand drug sales to undercover officers. They're available here. The part everyone's talking about (even though drug people tend to overstate the percentage of the population that also takes drugs, in one's personal experience):
Brock wasn't worried about failing his drug test because there "would be about 60 people being screwed." ... He added that Ty Horn looked at the roster and said "there were only 20 people that would pass the (drug) test."
Thus the even worse news for TCU is that the players were accused of selling to teammates. That means arrests for possession could follow these arrests for distribution. As for chatter about who else could be in danger of an arrest, you can pretty much find any name you'd like, (doesn't mean you should believe any of it yet, of course).
No word yet on what Devin Johnson is specifically accused of having done. Other than, you know, slangin'.
For more on Horned Frogs football, visit TCU blog Frogs O' War, plus SB Nation Dallas.
TCU Horned Frogs head coach Gary Patterson, whose team is now down three major contributors and another who could've competed for a starting job, issued a statement Wednesday. TCU's campus, in case you haven't heard, was the target of a six-month, multi-department drug investigation that has netted 17 arrests so far for the distribution of pretty much every drug you've ever heard of and whatever "mollies" are.
Arrest warrants accused three of the four players of "selling hydroponic marijuana to TCU students and football players from a house in the 3400 block of Brady Avenue."
Patterson, via the Star-Telegram:
"There are days people want to be a head football coach, but today is not one of those days. As I heard the news this morning, I was first shocked, then hurt and now I'm mad.
"Under my watch, drugs and drug use by TCU's student-athletes will not be tolerated by me or any member of my coaching staff. Period. Our program is respected nationally for its strong ethics and for that reason the players arrested today were separated from TCU by the University. I believe strongly that young people's lives are more important than wins or losses.
"This situation isn't unique to TCU - it is a global issue that we all have to address. This isn't just about bad decisions made by a small percentage of my team. It is about a bigger issue across this country and world.
"As a coach, I do the best I can to educate members of my team. We have programs in place that teach student-athletes about what they should and shouldn't do and how to be successful in life. I talk to them about how to be students and upstanding men that uphold the TCU name and its traditions.
"At the end of the day, though, sometimes young people make poor choices. The Horned Frogs are bigger and stronger than those involved."
For more on Horned Frogs football, visit TCU blog Frogs O' War, plus SB Nation Dallas.
The names of the four TCU Horned Frogs football players who were arrested for their alleged involvement in a drug ring of some sort have been released. Linebacker Tanner Brock, defensive tackle D.J. Yendrey, safety Devin Johnson and offensive tackle Ty Horn. All four were expelled, as were the other 13 students who were arrested as part of the six-month, inter-departmental investigation -- which isn't yet over.
The list of all 17 names is available here.
All four players would've been quite significant contributors in 2012. Yendrey led all Horned Frogs interior linemen in tackles in 2011, adding 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Brock played sparingly in 2011 due to injury, but led the team in tackles in 2010. Horn was expected to compete for a starting job in 2012, with three senior starters departing. And Johnson finished 2011 with 49 tackles and three pass breakups.
All except Horn were rising seniors.
For more on Horned Frogs football, visit TCU blog Frogs O' War, plus SB Nation Dallas.
Four TCU Horned Frogs players were among 17 arrested on drug charges due to a six-month investigation by multiple layers of law enforcement. While the four players have yet to be named, we learned a few more details from the rest of the Wednesday morning press conference after the big bombshell dropped. The names of the players, however, will be released later in the day.
Drugs on the market, according to TCU police chief Steve McGee, included marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, mollies, acid, and prescription drugs. I'm told "mollies" refers to powdered ecstasy, but don't look at me, man. I'm not the DEA. The investigation, chancellor Victor Boschini said, was prompted by complaints from locals.
The news sours what should've been a week of good news for TCU football, but it does prompt obligatory WELCOME TO THE BIG TIME jokes.
For more on Horned Frogs football, visit TCU blog Frogs O' War, plus SB Nation Dallas.
Four TCU Horned Frogs players were arrested on drug charges as part of a six-month campus sweep that also netted 13 other students, according to a Wednesday morning police press conference. Fort Worth and TCU police were in charge of the sweep, with the DEA also reportedly being involved. In a statement, TCU chancellor Victor Boschini said, "TCU has never before experienced a magnitude of student arrests such as this."
An investigation is ongoing as to whether the four players were dealing to teammates. We don't know the names of the players yet, but expect that to be revealed soon. The Fulmer Cup implications are already staggering. All this a day after the school got to see its name on its first Big 12 football schedule.
Below, the statement from TCU:
Early today the Fort Worth Police Department and TCU Campus Police concluded an investigation into drug selling on and around campus that unfortunately led to the arrest of many current TCU students.
While this news is certainly shocking and disappointing, it is important to remember that TCU has clear expectations for its students: that they behave in an ethical manner, abide by campus policies and adhere to state and federal law. These students are charged with acting in a manner that is incompatible with TCU values and against the law. That is simply unacceptable and such reported behavior is not tolerated at this University.
We have a responsibility to ensure that our campus environment is free of such behavior. Today's actions highlight that responsibility. The students involved were immediately separated from TCU and criminally trespassed from campus. Further, according to University policy, students arrested and found in violation of distributing drugs are subject to immediate expulsion from TCU.
TCU has never before experienced a magnitude of student arrests such as this. In fact, Campus Police records show only five student arrests related to drug law violations in recent years. I have asked our vice chancellor for student affairs, Dr. Kathy Cavins-Tull, to examine whether any new programs or procedures need to be implemented to curtail this type of behavior in the future. The Fort Worth Police Department also has offered to help in these efforts.
Today's events have forever changed the lives of the involved students, and we hope they will find a healthy way to move forward. Also, the next couple of weeks will be tough for the TCU family. There is no doubt that it will hurt to see our name associated with this type of behavior. But we must not allow this moment to define us. We must remember that we are overwhelmingly a community of dedicated students, faculty and staff and focused on changing the world through our collective work and commitment to leadership.
Sincerely,
Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr.
For more on Horned Frogs football, visit TCU blog Frogs O' War, plus SB Nation Dallas.
TCU Drug Bust Details Released: 2.7 Pounds Of Marijuana Seized
Fort Worth police have released some of the details of a drug investigation centering on an apartment building near the campus of Texas Christian University, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Wednesday.The operation resulted in the arrests of 23 people, as well as the seizure of nine weapons (five rifles, three shotguns and a set of brass knuckles), 2.7 pounds of marijuana and around $46,000 in cash.
Among those arrested were four members of the TCU Horned Frogs football team. The details of their arrests were chronicled in the Star-Telegram report:
Read more here: http://blogs.star-telegram.com/crime_time/2012/02/police-9-weapons-27-pounds-of-marijuana-seized-in-tcu-related-drug-operation.html#storylink=cpy
For more developments on this story, please keep checking this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding the TCU Horned Frogs, please visit Frogs O' War, or check out SB Nation Dallas.
Feb 29 8:54p by Brian McIntyre - 0 comments