APTCU lost a prominent member on the offensive side of the ball early to the NFL last week, and now it’s the defensive side’s turn.
In a tweet posted to his Twitter account Monday night, defensive end Stansly Maponga confirmed that he’s “decided to enter the 2013 NFL Draft.” “Thanks for 3 great years at TCU! I’ll always have y’all in my heart,” Maponga added.
Despite missing two full games and parts of others with injuries, limiting him to 10 games and eight starts, Maponga was still named first-team All-Big 12 following the 2012 season. Maponga’s breakout season came in 2011 as a redshirt sophomore as he lead the Horned Frogs in tackles for loss (13.5), sacks (9), forced fumbles (5) and fumble recoveries (2). He was named first-team All-Mountain West after that season.
Maponga joins wide receiver Josh Boyce as Horner Frogs who have left eligibility on the table for early entry into the NFL draft.
And TCU LB A.J. Hilliard is transferring to A&M.
@goodfieldnohit
Good point and very strange move as Hilliard is a LB and the Aggies are projected to have 18 linebackers on their roster next year. Oh well… good luck to both of them. Maponga was a beast.
It’s pretty rare that a Gary Patterson coached players leaves early. Before Boyce the last one I remember was Cory Rodgers. Before that I have no idea.
Best of luck to Boyce and Maponga but I really feel not only the team but their personal careers could have benefited from one more year.
Also it will be interesting to see what will happen to Hilliard at A&M. He was a very highly touted recruit, I think around #5 ranked ILB in TX, but he very rarely saw the field.