Former TCU Horned Frogs are making a serious impact in the early stages of the 2025 NFL season. Leading the way is
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston, who has finally delivered on his first-round potential after two frustrating years. Johnston currently ranks 13th in receptions, third in receiving yards, and third in touchdowns, emerging as one of the league’s most dangerous playmakers.But Johnston isn’t the only former Frog turning heads. On Thursday night, Arizona Cardinals running
back Emari Demercado stepped into a larger role after James Conner went down with a significant ankle injury. Working behind rookie Trey Benson, Demercado handled 39 percent of the snaps, contributing on the ground and as a third-down option. He finished with two carries for eight yards and two catches for 13 yards and a score. Most notably, he delivered a clutch seven-yard touchdown with just 30 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 20, momentarily giving Arizona new life.
Demercado caught a short pass in the flat to the left side and turned it upfield for the score—his fourth career touchdown. But while his late-game heroics tied the contest, they weren’t enough to secure an Arizona victory. The Cardinals’ defense allowed Seattle to drive 26 yards in just 28 seconds after the kickoff, setting up Jason Myers for a 52-yard field goal as time expired. Myers drilled it, lifting the Seahawks to a 23–20 win.
Demercado wasn’t the only former TCU running back to score in Week 4. In Buffalo’s surprisingly close matchup against the winless New Orleans Saints—a game where the Bills’ lead was trimmed to just two points in the fourth quarter—Kendre Miller turned in his best performance of the season. The third-year back rushed 11 times for a season-high 65 yards, providing a steady spark to the Saints’ offense.
The highlight of Miller’s breakout performance came on an 18-yard touchdown run, where the former Horned Frog broke three tackles on his way to the end zone. The play tied the longest rush of his young career and marked his third career touchdown. With the Saints struggling to find consistency, offensive coordinator Kellen Moore seems increasingly willing to lean on younger playmakers—most notably Miller, who is currently RB2 behind 30-year-old Alvin Kamara. His snap count has risen steadily in recent weeks, peaking at 31 percent against Buffalo, and he appears poised for an even larger role moving forward.
All told, three former Horned Frog playmakers from TCU’s 2023 national championship runner-up squad found the end zone in Week 4: Demercado, Miller, and Johnston. After a slow start to their pro careers, the members of TCU’s 2023 draft class are beginning to make their presence felt across the league.
