Why this freshman linebacker is one of the biggest surprises of TCU’s spring practice

Jonathan Bax doesn't look like your typical freshman, and he doesn't play like one either.

Bax, an early enrollee from New Orleans, has been one of the top surprises from TCU's spring football camp, emerging as a potential Day One contributor.

Bax was three-star recruit and a top-500 prospect, but he played almost exclusively as an edge rusher. The Horned Frogs have asked him to transition to a more traditional linebacker spot. While it's been challenging at times, Bax has picked things fast.

"Knowing that I was going to come here early, it was one thing on my mind which was to start fast," Bax said. "Be the best I can be each and everyday. Just try to line up in the right spots, especially being a young guy and just trying to get my alignment right.

"I think I’m doing a pretty good job at that. Coach (Joe) Gillespie and Coach (Josh) Creech have believed in me and I’m thankful for that."

While no one wants to see their teammates injured, Bax has made the most of the opportunities given to him with a few contributors like Jamoi Hodge, Marcel Brooks and Thomas Armstrong unable to practice this spring.

It's led to him getting reps with the second team defense and he's even run with the ones. Considering how much experience returns on defense, it says a lot about the trust Bax has already built with the coaching staff.

It's even surprised Bax.

"I didn't have any snaps at linebacker in high school," Bax said. "Just to come to collegiate level, Power 5 in the Big 12 in one of the best programs at TCU, it's shocking for me because I’ve just been thrown out there. I’m trying to read guards, and everything is new to me, learning keys and checks, it was very frustrating for me week one.

"But no one ever belittled me, everybody encouraged me and said I was going to get it. From first week to the fourth week of spring I think I’m doing a good job. I got thrown in with the ones sometimes, I’m blessed for that. Coach Gillespie trusted in me and that shows how much they believe in me."

Ultimately this is what Bax wanted when he made the business decision to enroll early instead of enjoying his last semester as a high school student back in New Orleans.

He knew there would be a learning curve to adjust to a new position and that he could not afford to fall behind in a linebacker room that projects to have much more depth than last season.

"We’ve got so much talent, it's really crazy to think about how many guys we can throw out there," Bax said. "It starts with Johnny (Hodges), Shad Banks in the middle, Namdi (Obiazor) coming over for safety. He's been a big addition for us and you still have Jamoi out and Marcel.

"They’re dominant guys and then you have me and some of the younger guys. That shows you right there how deep our linebacker room is, you can keep going on and on. Coach Gillespie and Coach Creech use us very well and put us in the right position and let us be free."

The 6-foot-3, 235 pound freshman's physical stature is what will initially stand out, then you’ll notice the speed and agility, but perhaps his most impressive trait is his football IQ. Remember, not only is Bax learning a new position, but also a new unique defense in the 3-3-5.

That plus managing his new class load can be a lot on a freshman, but Bax credits his time at New Orleans powerhouse Edna Karr for preparing him for this. Karr was has won six football state championships since 1993 and sends numerous players to major P5 programs every year.

"Edna Karr helped me so much, the coaches played big-time football. Big 12, at Minnesota," Bax said. "They know what it takes, I’m very grateful for them. They bring the culture from college back to our high school and are just feeding us and leading us

"When I came to college I knew the transition wouldn't be that bad, I think I caught on to it pretty good and I’m thankful for that. I always go back and tell them everything y’all told me it's been the same thing, I just appreciate y’all for that."

Bax has made good on those lessons by quickly becoming a player TCU's coaches can rely on. His college career is just getting started. It could be a special one when it's all said and done.