Safety switch helps power TCU's unbeaten season

FORT WORTH, Texas — Gary Patterson has gained quite a reputation for turning offensive players into defensive standouts. Every Horned Frogs fan knows by now that All-America defensive end Jerry Hughes was a high school running back. And former Frogs stars such as linebacker Jason Phillips and strong safety Stephen Hodge were high school quarterbacks before coming to TCU.

But Patterson's decision to move Tyler Luttrell from receiver to strong safety had more to do with desperation than his keen eye for defensive talent.

Luttrell, a former all-district quarterback at Weatherford, was one of many solid receivers on the Frogs' depth chart when camp began Aug. 9.

Colin Jones, a former running back at Bridgeport, was replacing Hodge as the starting strong safety, but with the departure of sophomore Sir Demarco Bledsoe to Youngstown State, the Frogs' depth at the position was thin.

And then Jones, on the second day of practice, injured his hamstring. After trying a few younger players at the spot for two weeks, Patterson called Luttrell into his office in late August.

"We want to try you there, but there are no guarantees, we're just going to see if you can pick it up," Patterson told Luttrell. "If not, we'll just keep you at wide receiver. It's not a big deal."

Luttrell, who had played some safety in high school, was at first hesitant about the move.

"Because I knew how tough the coaches were," said Luttrell, whose father, Mike, led the Frogs in rushing from 1972-74. "Everyone was telling me I was going over to the dark side."

But Luttrell picked it up well enough to get the start for the opener at Virginia on Sept. 12. His four tackles, including a sack, further added to Patterson's defensive resume. Of course, Luttrell wasn't perfect, as Patterson quickly pointed out after the game.

"He probably missed two sacks on zone blitzes where he lost containment," Patterson said after the game. "It's stuff that won't show up in the stats. And you're going to say he played great, but let me tell you, I'd give him a C-minus if we're giving him a grade."

Luttrell started the next two games against Texas State and Clemson before Jones was healthy enough to start. But Jones' nagging injury returned five games later, thrusting Luttrell back in the starting lineup at San Diego State. He came down with an acrobatic interception and had four tackles against the Aztecs. He has started the last four games, and if Jones remains sidelined, Luttrell will start against Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 4.

"It's probably the difference in our season," Patterson said after Saturday's practice. "Without him I don't know if we'd be undefeated."