Frogs In The NFL: TCU Alumni Through 4 Weeks
Nineteen TCU football alumni graced active rosters on the opening night of the 2023 NFL season. Of the current Big 12 members, only Texas and Oklahoma offered more, and no schools with 2024 membership topped that number. As of Week 5, six of those players hold starting spots. Let's take a look at what they've done so far.
Frogs In The NFL: Starters
Halapoulivaati Vaitai, OL, Lions
Sep 7, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Detroit Lions guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai (72) on the line of scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Vaitai missed Weeks 3 and 4 with an injury, but is reportedly expected to return to play this Sunday. Detroit (3-1) is currently atop the NFC North and a genuine playoff contender with road wins over the Chiefs and Packers.
In two games, Vaitai has not allowed a pressure on QB Jared Goff and has not committed a penalty. He's the only offensive lineman with at least 50 snaps played to boast both of those achievements (PFF).
Quentin Johnston, WR, Chargers
Oct 1, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) celebrates his touchdown scored against the Las Vegas Raiders with wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Johnston is still searching for his first NFL touchdown, but has hauled in 6-of-11 targets on the season for 44 yards. Teammate Mike Williams is out for the season after suffering an injury, potentially pointing to Johnston having an increased role in the offense.
The Chargers line Johnston up in a variety of roles, on both sides of the field, and both out wide and in the slot. In Week 4, he had a season-best 18-yard reception against the Raiders.
Derius Davis, KR, Chargers
Oct 1, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Derius Davis (12) runs the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Davis has 10 returns as the Chargers' primary return man, but also has been worked into a role in the receiving corps. He caught both targets for 16 yards last week against Las Vegas and all four targets on the year. In the return game, Davis averages 19.5 yards per kick return and 10.5 per punt return.
He primarily lines up as a slot receiver on offense – a valuable role for the pass-happy Chargers offense. However, he must compete for targets with Pro Bowler Keenan Allen as well as teammate Johnston.
Steve Avila, OL, Rams
May 23, 2023, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams guard Steve Avila (73) during organized team activities at Cal Lutheran. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Avila notched a starting role right next to TCU alum Joe Noteboom the minute he walked into the Rams facility. Running back Kyren Williams has found more success rushing behind Avila and Noteboom than the right side of the line by about a yard per rush, on average.
Overall, the Rams rush with the sixth-most efficiency on the season, due large in part to Avila and Noteboom.
Joe Noteboom, OL, Rams
Sep 8, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Joe Noteboom (70) blocks during the game against the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium. The Bills defeated the Rams 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
In four games this year, Noteboom has given up just one sack and committed one penalty. Runningmate Avila has allowed one sack and committed no penalties. The Rams' passing attack found new life under Matthew Stafford, who returned from injury this year.
Los Angeles (2-2) appears to be on track to once again be a playoff contender after a disastrous follow-up to their Super Bowl LVI title.
Tre'von Moehrig, SAF, Raiders
Oct 1, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) deflects a pass in the end zone intended for Los Angeles Chargers tight end Donald Parham Jr. (89) in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Moehrig played his best game of the 2023 season yet against the Chargers in Week 4. He logged six tackles and picked off a pass on his only defensed target. On the season, he has 18 tackles and two pass breakups.
The Raiders (1-3) are likely in for a learning season, competing in a division with the defending Super Bowl Champion Chiefs and playoff contending Chargers. Moehrig has his work cut out for him against the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and a resurgent Russell Wilson.
TCU Pro Frogs In Contributing Roles
Sep 24, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Austin Schlottmann, C, Vikings
Schlottmann has actually been the Vikings' starting center for the last three games after Garrett Bradbury went down with injury. However, Bradbury is expected to return in the coming weeks. Schlottmann has been a suitable replacement, allowing just one sack and committing one penalty this year.
Andy Dalton, QB, Panthers
Dalton stepped in and started a game when first overall draft pick Bryce Young missed a game due to injury. In a 37-27 loss to the Seahawks, Dalton threw for 361 yards and two touchdowns – a vintage Dalton performance. Young re-took the starting job upon his return, but Dalton plays a vital role in mentorship and as a strong safety net should Young miss future games.
Dylan Horton, EDGE, Texans
Horton has steadily been working himself into a bigger share of snaps this season. He began playing 14-15 a game, but peaked at 30 snaps against the Jaguars in Week 3. He logged two QB pressures and three tackles so far, earning favorable PFF pass rush and run defense grades.
Jerry Hughes, EDGE, Texans
The longest-tenured TCU Horned Frog in the NFL continues to find ways to be productive in Year 14. Hughes has 10 logged pressures and notched his first sack against the Steelers last week. He also has six tackles on the season.
KaVonte Turpin, KR, Cowboys
Turpin has been the starting return man for the Cowboys this season, but teams have actively avoided kicking to him. He has yet to return a kick this year. Turpin also contributes on offense, catching his lone target last week. He has four receptions on five targets so far this season.
TCU Horned Frogs On Active Rosters
- RB Emari Demercado, Arizona Cardinals
- OL Aviante Collins, Chicago Bears
- OL Lucas Niang, Kansas City Chiefs
- CB Tre Tomlinson, Los Angeles Chargers
- RB Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
- LB Ty Summers, New Orleans Saints
- OL Matt Pryor, San Francisco 49ers
- LB Dee Winters, San Francisco 49ers
- EDGE LJ Collier*, Arizona Cardinals
- SAF Ar'Darius Washington*, Baltimore Ravens
*Currently injured
TCU Horned Frogs on Practice Squads
- SAF Innis Gaines, Green Bay Packers
- LB Garret Wallow, Houston Texans
- DL Ross Blacklock, Jacksonville Jaguars
- QB Max Duggan, Los Angeles Chargers
- WR Jalen Reagor, New England Patriots
- OL Obinna Eze, Pittsburgh Steelers
- OL Joey Hunt, Seattle Seahawks
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