We can’t write the story of TCU season without Dee Winters

Fort Worth, TX — When it comes to ball defense, the Horned Frogs are one of America’s best units. Productivity in all categories is off the charts. But the story of this TCU football season cannot be written without that defense. Specifically, one player who has been through the middle of his Fort Worth career.

The perception and identity of Big 12 football was high scoring, air raids and juggernaut type attacks. But TCU is looking to change that story with a defensive play led by star linebacker Dee Winters.

“He’s obviously a good athlete, he can run and he’s got a good physique,” head coach Sonny Dykes said. “But I think for him, it’s his instincts that make him special.”

“I love to hit,” Dee Winters said with a smile. “I get sick of practicing with my teammates because I can’t hit them. I think that’s why I play.”

Big hits get attention. But with a shutdown performance against Texas and second-half heroism against Baylor, this his TCU team is on the verge of something special.

“This season has been really crazy,” Dee said. “They definitely have a chip on their shoulders going into this season as the penultimate pick in the Big 12. We use that as motivation to come out here and win it all.”

It says a lot about this group that the playoff committee put the Horned Frogs in 4th place, but TCU proved the committee right with back-to-back wins.

“It means everything to us,” Dee said. “To go out and play a very difficult game and come out with a win is huge. But this team is not worried about the outside. Just play the game.”

His steady and methodical approach kept Dee at TCU after Gary Patterson left.

“It was kind of weird to be honest,” Dee admitted. “I was abandoned.”

That’s because Coach Patterson not only recruited Dee to TCU, but switched him from wide receiver to linebacker.

“It was definitely a bumpy road back then, but once you got the hang of it, it got a little easier,” he said. “Going from a 4-on-2 defense to a 3-on-5 defense, he has more tools in his arsenal.”

But when it comes to current head coach Sonny Dykes, Dee has the ultimate compliment a coach can receive.

“He’s the player’s coach,” Dee said. “He definitely cares about us on and off the field. He tries to do what’s best for us. You can’t go wrong with that. I really love this team.” .”

TCU Horned Frogs have moved up to #3 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 college football poll. -No in victory over now. Kansas’ 10th-place finish in the Big 12 title game gives TCU a ticket to the College Football Playoffs.