TCU Football: Frogs Show Out At Pro Day

Fifteen Horned Frogs participated at TCU Pro Day on Thursday held at the Sam Baugh Indoor Practice Facility. It was a busy day at the TCU Football facility as members from each of the 32 NFL teams were present, including head coaches, scouts, and analysts. Each of the nine Frogs that competed at the NFL Combine were in attendance alongside six additional Frogs who flexed their talents in front of NFL representatives.

Below is a brief summary of each of the participant’s performances at TCU Pro Day:

Alan Ali (OL):

Offensive lineman Alan Ali was present at the NFL Combine in March and had the opportunity to show his skills at TCU Pro Day as well. Ali only performed the vertical jump at the Combine, achieving 26.5”. With the same measurement at TCU Pro Day, Ali also completed the broad jump, measuring 8’5”.

Despite starting all 15 games at center, Ali expressed his versatility and ability to play at all five positions on the offensive line. Ali said, “Teams ask me where I want to play, and I usually say center because I love to watch film and be in control of the line of scrimmage… but if you want me to play guard or tackle, I’ll do whatever they ask.” The senior has made his versatility a point of conversation when communicating with teams and their representatives.

After transferring from SMU following the 2021 season, Ali had a successful season with the Frogs and was named to the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

Steve Avila (OL):

One of the premier offensive linemen in the Big 12, Steve Avila started all 15 games this season at left guard without allowing a single sack. Avila performed at the NFL Combine in March, running a 5.21 40-yard dash. He also completed 28 repetitions on the bench press while reaching 29.5” and 8’2” on his vertical and broad jump, respectively.

With versatility of the utmost importance, Avila said, “I want to show that I can do it all so teams can know they can rely on me in different situations, so hopefully that is what I bring to the table, and hopefully that’s what teams value in me.”

Coming off the best season of his career, where he was named to the First-Team All-Big 12 and earned numerous accolades, Avila had a successful TCU Pro Day and will look forward to the NFL Draft in April.

Taye Barber (WR):

While not the most dangerous target on the field, Taye Barber offers himself as a slot receiver and an occasional deep threat. His 4.5 40-yard dash allows him to get down the field and cause problems. Although Barber did not perform at the NFL Combine, he completed 11 repetitions on the bench press and reached 32.5” on his vertical and 9’7” on his broad jump.

Terrell Cooper (DL):

Defensive lineman Terrell Cooper performed well at TCU Pro Day. Participating in the vertical jump and broad jump, Cooper posted 23” and 8’3”, respectively. Cooper excelled at the bench press, racking up 22 repetitions (tied for the highest at TCU Pro Day). In his senior season with the Frogs, Cooper reached 41 career starts which led defensive players.

Derius Davis (WR):

A dual threat on both offense and special teams, Derius Davis showed off his speed at the NFL Combine. Running a 4.36 40-yard dash in Indianapolis caught the eye of many scouts and coaches. At TCU Pro Day, Davis posted 17 repetitions on the bench press, a 30.5” vertical jump, and a 9’7” broad jump.

While getting looks from NFL teams, Davis was selected in February by the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL. Davis will have to make a decision on his future, whether that is in the USFL or keeping the door open for the NFL Draft, possibly resulting in the Stallions retracting their offer.

Emari Demercado (RB):

An elusive and explosive running back, Emari Demercado can offer various looks for teams. He is also an efficient pass-catching back that can run both wheel routes and contribute in the flat. At TCU Pro Day, Demercado put up 19 repetitions on the bench press and reached 32” on the vertical jump and 9’11” on the broad jump.

During his time at TCU, Demercado was named to the First-Team Academic All-Big 12 Team in 2019, 2021, and 2022 and capped off a tremendous collegiate career with a 150-yard performance against Michigan in the 2023 Fiesta Bowl.

Max Duggan (QB):

Max Duggan had all eyes on him at TCU Pro Day, and he showed off his arm during his throwing drills. He especially displayed his deep ball, which is a part of his game that seemed to have been refined since 2021 when he struggled with accuracy downfield. During Duggan’s warmups leading up to his throwing workout, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watched the Horned Frog quarterback intently.

Regarding his communication with teams, Duggan said, “It’s been good talking to a lot of teams. They all have great things to say about me as a player, and I think there are things that have stayed consistent of things I need to work on and things we’ve heard from teams.”

While Duggan is not among the top quarterbacks in the draft, he brings a tremendous sense of leadership, dedication, and presence that is unmatched among his fellow competitors.

George Ellis (DL):

Defensive lineman George Ellis had a successful TCU Pro Day. He impressed with his 22 bench press repetitions and reached 22” on his vertical and 8’8” on his broad jump. In his sixth year with the Frogs, Ellis was named to the 2022 First-Team Academic All-Big 12.

Gunnar Henderson (WR):

Slot-receiver Gunnar Henderson had a solid Pro Day, but it was cut short after sustaining a left leg injury following his second 40-yard dash. Henderson pulled up and went to the ground in significant discomfort. Prior to his injury, Henderson posted 15 repetitions on the bench press and led the day with the best vertical jump at 33.5”.

Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (CB):

One of the top cornerbacks in the country, Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, performed incredibly well at the NFL Combine. He was listed as a participant for TCU Pro Day but did not take part in any drills. From the combine, he ran an impressive 4.41 40-yard dash and racked up 12 repetitions on the bench press. The 2022 Jim Thorpe Award winner had a 39” vertical jump and an 11’0” broad jump.

Dylan Horton (DE):

Defensive end Dylan Horton put his talents on display during his workout at the NFL Combine. Despite not running the 40-yard dash, Horton garnered 18 repetitions on the bench press and had a 34” vertical jump and a 10’0” broad jump. The edge rusher had a successful 2022 season and made his presence felt on the line of scrimmage.

Quentin Johnston (WR):

A standout wide receiver in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft, Quentin Johnston turned heads with a tremendous junior season with the Frogs. He was met by numerous scouts who watched intently as he worked through drills. He ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at TCU Pro Day and reached 40.5” on the vertical jump and 11’2” on the broad jump at the NFL Combine.

Speaking to the media following his workout, Johnston said, “I feel like I came to Pro Day more confident, more relaxed–not that I wasn’t during the combine, but I just kind of had a feel for it already.”

Johnston is coming off a productive season with 60 receptions for 1,069 yards and six touchdowns. He is one of the top wide receivers in the draft and could very well be the first wideout selected.

Kendre Miller (RB):

TCU running back Kendre Miller didn’t perform at the NFL Combine or at TCU Pro Day due to his continued rehab from injury. Despite this, Miller believes he is still a top running back in the draft. Miller hopes to show the progress he has made since his injury to make evident to teams that he is on his way back to full health.

Miller had an in-depth conversation with Bill Belichick, who talked about his liking for Miller’s style of running. Miller said, “He was telling me that he really enjoyed watching me–he went back and did film study on me… and kind of compared me to [Rhamondre] Stevenson, [the Patriots’] running back, and said we’re pretty similar.”

Lwal Uguak (DL):

Lwal Uguak spent four years at the University of Connecticut before transferring to TCU for his senior season. Playing in 14 of 15 games, Uguak played a small role in a prolific Horned Frog defense. At TCU Pro Day, Uguak showed off with 18 repetitions on the bench press, 29” on the vertical jump, and 9’ 8” on the broad jump.

Dee Winters (LB):

One of the most exciting linebackers in the NFL Draft, TCU’s Dee Winters put his skills on display in 2022 and is now leading up to the draft. Winters ran an impressive 4.41 40-yard dash and pumped out 20 repetitions on the bench press. An incredibly quick and athletic linebacker, Winters reached 31.5” and 9’9” on the vertical and broad jumps, respectively. He has a promising future ahead and will enter the draft as the 13th-best linebacker.

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