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Frogs in the Pros: 11 Horned Frogs Headed to the NFL Playoffs

With the NFL playoffs right around the corner, we look at which former TCU players will compete and make an impact for their team.

As the college football season concludes and the NFL regular season has come to an end, all eyes move to the NFL playoffs as Super Wildcard weekend quickly approaches. There are 11 former TCU football players in the postseason. TCU has had at least one player in the Super Bowl in nine of the last ten seasons. Let's look at the TCU players in the 2024 NFL Playoffs.

No. 2 Dallas Cowboys vs. No. 7 Green Bay Packers 

The only TCU player who is playing in this game is KaVontae Turpin. Turpin has been excellent as a return specialist for the Cowboys and has been steadily involved each week in the offense. He had 12 catches for 127 yards and three scores this season. His big-play ability on special teams can be the spark the Cowboys need to get a playoff win. 

Dec 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver KaVontae Turpin (9) runs with the football against Miami Dolphins linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium.

KaVontae Turpin is one of 11 former TCU Horned Frogs who will be playing in this year's NFL Playoffs. 

No. 3 Detroit Lions vs. No. 6 Los Angeles Rams 

Several Horned Frogs are competing in this game. For the Rams, they have Steve Avila, Joe Noteboom, and Tre Tomlinson. Avila has been outstanding for the Rams, as he was the only Rams player on the field for every snap this season. According to Pro Football Focus, he finished with a 75.3 pass-blocking grade since Week 10, which is 1st among all rookies. It's looking like Avila was a steal for LA in the second round, and he will have a tall task against a good Detroit front. The Lions have Halapoulivaati Vaita, who previously won a ring with the Eagles. 

No. 4 Cleveland Browns vs. No. 5 Houston Texans

Dylan Horton and Jerry Hughes play for Houston; however, Horton stepped away for the rest of the season for non-football reasons. Hughes is the longest-tenured TCU player in the league and finished this season with three sacks and one forced fumble.

No. 3 Kansas City Chiefs vs. No. 6 Miami Dolphins 

The lone TCU player in this game for the Chiefs is offensive lineman Lucas Niang. 

No. 1 San Francisco 49ers

There are also three players for the San Francisco 49ers, including Matt Pryor, Jason Verrett (out for the season), and Dee Winters. The 49ers have a first-round bye.

We wish the best of luck to those competing in the playoffs, and here's hoping at least one TCU player can finish the season winning the lucrative Lombardi trophy. 


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