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Four Former TCU Horned Frogs That Shone In The NFL

Back in 1981, across the pond in England, the late Bill Shankly, the former manager of soccer giants Liverpool, was being interviewed. During that interview, Shankly gave one of his most well-known quotes about his dedication to his craft: "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that."

Shankly's words accurately sum up how Texans feel about sports, particularly football. While much of Fort Worth's sports attention is focused on the Dallas Cowboys, the city has its own athletic identity. Ever since Dennis Franchione revived the Texas Christian University's (TCU) football program, the TCU Horned Frogs have become a perennial top-10 contender and a conveyor belt of top-tier talent who have gone on to enjoy glistening National Football League (NFL) careers. This article examines four former TCU stars who shone on football's biggest stage.

Bob Lilly – Defensive Tackle

Although Bob Lilly was a TCU Horned Frog before the Franchione era, his college and professional achievements are so high that we must mention him. Known as "Mr. Cowboy," Lilly played for the TCU Horned Frogs from 1958 to 1961, a time long before the best online sports betting sites were even a pipedream. The 6 ft 5 in, 260-pound man-mountain was a consensus All-American as a senior in 1960, and his performances for the TCU Horned Frogs ultimately resulted in Lilly being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Lilly achieved every Horned Frogs' dream of playing in the NFL and doing so for the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys selected Lilly as the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 1961 NFL Draft. He played as a defensive tackle for 14 seasons, winning the Super Bowl and being named a First-Team All-Star seven times. His 29-yard sack of Miami Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese during Super Bowl VI is one of the most memorable defensive plays in Super Bowl history.

Now 85, Lilly lives in Georgetown, Texas, with his wife of 50 years. They have 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

 

Courtesy BlueCollarAngry.Com LaDainian Tomlinson – Running Back

LaDainian Tomlinson was the first superstar off the Franchione production line. The supremely talented running back spent four seasons with the Horned Frogs between 1997 and 2000, during which he played 44 games and racked up 5,263 rushing yards and 54 touchdowns. Tomlinson's ability attracted every NFL team's attention, but the San Diego Chargers used their number five pick to secure his signature in the 2001 NFL Draft.

The Chargers desperately needed a running back, so Tomlinson didn't wait long to become a first-team starter. During his rookie season in 2001, he played all 16 games, gained 1,236 rushing yards, and scored ten touchdowns. Amazingly, Tomlinson scored double-digit touchdowns in all nine seasons he spent as a Charger, and only one finished with less than 1,100 rushing yards.

Tomlinson was unstoppable during the 2006 season. He played all 16 regular season games, had 348 carries, and finished with a career and league-best 1,815 rushing yards. His 28 rushing touchdowns set an NFL record. Unsurprisingly, Tomlinson was named the Associated Press NFL MVP.

Tomlinson spent the last two years of his NFL career with the New York Jets, although injuries plagued his final season, and he hung up his boots in 2011. He finished his professional career with 13,684 rushing yards and 145 touchdowns, and 4772 receiving yards and 74 touchdowns. He is an incredible individual who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

 

Jerry Hughes – Defensive End

Jerry Hughes played running back for Austin High School in Fort Bend County, but Gary Patterson converted him to a defensive end after Hughes accepted an athletic scholarship at TCU. Between 2006 and 2009, Hughes recorded 139 total tackles, 39 tackles-for-loss, and 28.5 sacks, making him highly sought after in the 2010 NFL Draft.

The Indianapolis Colts selected Hughes as the 31st overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft's first round; he became the first TCU Horned Frog since Tomlinson to be selected in the first round. Although Hughes played 40 games for the Colts over three seasons, he only started seven games and was traded to the Buffalo Bills.

Aside from his first season with the Bills, Hughes was essentially ever-present across nine years. By the time his contract ended in 2021, Hughes had amassed 53 sacks, the fourth-most in Bills' history.

Hughes signed with the Houston Texans in May 2022, despite being 35. He started 16 games in 2022 but has found game time limited since. Still, his 479 tackles, 70 sacks, and 19 forced fumbles are numbers to be proud of.

 

Andy Dalton – Quarterback

Andy Dalton redshirted his first season with the Horned Frogs in 2006 but was so dedicated to the team's cause that he traveled with them to every game on the road. His loyalty and hard work paid off the following season when he was named the Horned Frogs' starting quarterback. Four seasons and 50 games later, Dalton had amassed 10,314 passing yards and 71 touchdowns.

The 2011 NFL Draft featured 12 quarterbacks, and Dalton was the fifth selected. The Cincinnati Bengals selected Dalton 35th overall in the second round. Dalton was the Bengals' starting quarterback from Day 1, and he enjoyed some impressive figures despite the Bengals' struggles. His least-productive season was in 2018, when he threw 2,170 yards and 14 touchdowns. Two years later, Dalton was surplus to requirements after the Bengals selected Joe Burrow as the first overall pick.

Dalton joined the Dallas Cowboys as Dak Prescott's backup but made nine starts and 11 appearances after Prescott was injured. He signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears in March 2021 but played second fiddle to Justin Fields before moving to the New Orleans Saints in March 2022.

The Saints didn't renew Dalton's contract, so he signed a two-year deal with the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers gave the starting quarterback role to first-overall draft pick Bryce Young, and Dalton played only three games. However, Young's continued struggles in 2024 gave Dalton a chance, and he has started four games from six this season.

To date, Dalton has 39,407 regular passing yards and 86 touchdowns. Only 24 quarterbacks in NFL history have thrown for at least 40,000 passing yards. It is only a matter of time before this former Horned Frog joins that exclusive club.

Who Are Christian McCaffrey's Brothers? All You Need To Know About His Siblings And Their Career

Christian McCaffrey and Family (Image Credit: Instagram/@maxmccaffrey87)

The McCaffrey family is known for its amazing athletic talent, especially in football. While Christian McCaffrey is famous as a star running back for the San Francisco 49ers, his brothers—Max, Dylan, and Luke—also have impressive sports backgrounds contributing to their family's legacy.

Let's explore their achievements and careers.

The Oldest McCaffrey: Max McCaffrey

Max, born on May 17, 1994, in Castle Rock, Colorado, is the oldest of Ed and Lisa McCaffrey's four sons. He played college football at Duke University as a wide receiver, where he caught 117 passes for 1,341 yards and scored 12 touchdowns over 53 games. Max signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2016 despite not being drafted into the NFL.

He played for several teams, including the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, and Jacksonville Jaguars, but he had limited time on the field. After his playing days, he moved into coaching, first as the offensive coordinator at Northern Colorado and now as an offensive assistant for the Miami Dolphins.

The Star Of The Family: Christian McCaffrey Christian McCaffrey (Image Credit: Getty Images)

Christian McCaffrey, born on June 7, 1996, is perhaps the most famous brother. The Carolina Panthers drafted him in 2017, and he quickly became one of the best running backs in the NFL. He has received numerous awards, including Offensive Player of the Year, and played a crucial role in the San Francisco 49ers' recent success. Reflecting on his upbringing, Christian said, "Growing up I was Ed's kid, we were always Ed's sons and so in a way, that was an advantage for us… we all kind of wanted to branch off and create our own name."

Also Read: Where Is Christian McCaffrey From? All About San Francisco 49ers Star's Early Life

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The Third McCaffrey: Dylan McCaffrey

Dylan, born on March 25, 1999, chose to be a quarterback. He started his college career at the University of Michigan but later transferred to the University of Northern Colorado to play under his father, Ed, who was the head coach. During his college career, Dylan threw for 3,257 yards, with 17 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Moreover, he helped his high school team win three state championships in four years.

The Youngest McCaffrey: Luke McCaffrey

Luke, the youngest brother, was born on April 2, 2001. He initially played as a quarterback at Nebraska but later switched to wide receiver. After some time at Nebraska and a brief stint at Louisville, he succeeded at Rice University, where he excelled as a wide receiver. Luke's impressive performance earned him a third-round selection by the Washington Commanders in the 2024 NFL Draft, marking a significant career achievement.

McCaffrey Brothers Carry On A Family Legacy Christian McCaffrey and Family (Image Credit: Instagram/@lisamccaffrey)

The McCaffrey brothers' athletic talents can be traced back to their parents. Their father, Ed McCaffrey, is a three-time Super Bowl champion and a former NFL wide receiver, while their mother, Lisa, was a standout soccer player at Stanford University.

Ed's experience in football and Lisa's athletic background clearly influenced their sons' dedication and competitiveness. As Luke humorously pointed out, "If you want to look at genes alone, my mom ran… a 4.5 40-yard dash pregnant with my brother."

The McCaffrey brothers all attended Valor Christian High School, where they won state titles and strengthened the family's sports legacy. They share a close bond and support each other, with all three brothers serving as groomsmen at Christian's wedding. With each brother making his mark, the McCaffreys will likely remain prominent in the football world for many years to come.

Also Read: Christian McCaffrey's Father & Former NFL Star WR Ed McCaffrey Reveals Exactly How His Son Suffered Achilles Injury That Has Kept Him Sidelined The Entire Season

Heisman Trophy Winners In The NFL: Updated 2024 List Of Active Players, From Caleb Williams To Marcus Mariota

The Heisman Trophy is awarded every year to the best player in college football, as voted on by a combination of 870 media members, plus former Heisman winners and one collective fan vote.

Winning the Heisman puts a lot of pressure on a player. If they are an underclassman, they face instant pressure to replicate their success the following season. Once Heisman winners graduate, they face the pressure to find immediate success in the NFL.

Of the 88 winners of the award, 11 are active in the NFL in 2024. Who are they, and how have they done in their careers? Sporting News breaks it down.

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Heisman Trophy winners in NFL today Year Player Name Active Team 2013 Jameis Winston Cleveland Browns 2014 Marcus Mariota Washington Commanders 2015 Derrick Henry Baltimore Ravens 2016 Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens 2017 Baker Mayfield Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2018 Kyler Murray Arizona Cardinals 2019 Joe Burrow Cincinnati Bengals 2020 DeVonta Smith Philadelphia Eagles 2021 Bryce Young Carolina Panthers 2022 Caleb Williams Chicago Bears 2023 Jayden Daniels Washington Commanders Jameis Winston, QB, Cleveland Browns

Winston was drafted out of Florida State with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He spent five seasons with the franchise, but none may have been more memorable than his last. Winston played in all 16 games and threw for 5,109 yards with 33 touchdowns, but also had 33 interceptions.

The quarterback stayed in the NFC South as a free agent, signing with the New Orleans Saints in 2020. He spent four years with them, but never played in more than seven games in a season. Winston then signed with the Cleveland Browns ahead of the 2024 season. With the season-ending injury to Deshaun Watson, he is expected to get his first start for the Browns in Week 8 against the Baltimore Ravens.

Team Games Passing Yards Passing TDs Interceptions Tampa Bay 72 19,737 121 88 New Orleans 21 2,367 20 11 Cleveland 5 83 1 0 Career 98 22,187 142 99 Marcus Mariota, QB, Washington Commanders

Mariota played his college ball at Oregon before being drafted to the Tennessee Titans with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, right after Winston. He spent the first five years of his career with the Titans before losing the starting job.

Since then, he has consistently been a backup, playing with the Las Vegas Raiders (2020-2021), Atlanta Falcons (2022), Philadelphia Eagles (2023) and Washington Commanders (2024).

Team Games Passing Yards Passing TDs Interceptions Tennessee 63 13,207 76 44 Las Vegas 11 230 1 1 Atlanta 13 2,219 15 9 Philadelphia 3 164 1 1 Washington 2 203 2 0 Career 92 16,023 95 55 Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Henry won the Heisman Trophy in 2015, becoming the first running back to win the award since Mark Ingram II in 2009. Both played for Alabama, and Henry was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Henry landed with the Tennessee Titans and began his career backing up DeMarco Murray. He spent eight years with Tennessee before leaving in free agency. Henry signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens ahead of the 2024 NFL season.

Team Games Rushing Yards Rushing TDs Receiving Yards Receiving TDs Tennessee 119 9,502 90 1,458 3 Baltimore 7 873 8 62 2 Career 126 10,375 98 1,520 5 Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Jackson reset the quarterback position during his time at Louisville, redefining what a dual-threat quarterback could be and put up video game numbers with the Cardinals.

He won the Heisman in 2016 but played another collegiate season before getting drafted. His draft value fell, as teams weren't sure his rushing would translate to the NFL, and the Ravens selected him with the final pick in the first round in 2018.

The 27-year-old has gone on to become a two-time NFL MVP Award winner. 

Team Games Passing Yards Passing TDs Interceptions Rushing Yards Rushing TDs Baltimore 93 17,697 140 47 5,713 31 Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mayfield began his college career by walking on at Texas Tech. He transferred to Oklahoma and was in the Heisman conversation the last three years he was a Sooner. He won the Heisman as a senior in 2017 becoming the first former walk-on to ever win the award.

In 2018, Mayfield was drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 1 overall pick. Since then, he has spent time with the Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his seven-year career.

Team Games Passing Yards Passing TDs Interceptions Cleveland 60 14,125 92 56 Carolina 7 1,313 6 6 Los Angeles 5 850 4 2 Tampa Bay 24 5,903 46 17 Career 96 22,191 148 81 Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals

Murray once backed up Mayfield, then took over for him at Oklahoma once he left. Both quarterbacks excelled in hurting opposing defenses with their legs, while also being good passers.

Similar to his former teammate, Murray was also drafted No. 1 overall, but he went to the Arizona Cardinals. Murray has struggled at times in his young career, but his showed flashes of what made him the first overall pick as the Cardinals continue building around him.

Team Games Passing Yards Passing TDs Interceptions Rushing Yards Rushing TDs Arizona 72 16,978 103 49 2,773 28 Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

The pocket passer made a comeback with Burrow's Heisman win. The previous three quarterbacks who won the award all were dual-threat, but Burrow torched defenses from the pocket. The year that he won the Heisman at LSU, he threw 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns.

Burrow was drafted with the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite dealing with injuries in his career, Burrow has already led Cincy to a Super Bowl appearance.

Team Games Passing Yards Passing TDs Interceptions Cincinnati 59 15,842 111 39 DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

When you look at Smith, you don't think he would be the type of wide receiver to win the Heisman. Many thought he was too small, earning the nickname "Slim Reaper," but then Smith finished his Heisman winning season with 23 receiving touchdowns, and that was too many scores for the voters to ignore. The Alabama product was drafted with the 10th overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2021 NFL Draft. 

Team Games Receiving Yards Receiving TDs Philadelphia 55 3,479 21 Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers

Young led Alabama to a 13-2 record in 2021, throwing for 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns. The Carolina Panthers made a blockbuster trade moving up to select Young. His NFL career has sputtered out of the gate and he has since been benched in favor of Andy Dalton. Young is still...Well...Young, so there is still hope left for him. 

Team Games Passing Yards Passing TDs Interceptions Carolina 20 3,176 11 13 Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears

Williams began his career at Oklahoma but transferred to USC when his head coach Lincoln Riley switched jobs. During his first season with the Trojans, he won the Heisman Trophy.

Williams took a step back his final collegiate year in 2023, but that didn't stop him from going to Chicago as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Team Games Passing Yards Passing TDs Interceptions Chicago 6 1,317 9 5 Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders

Daniels transferred from Arizona State to LSU in 2022, playing his final two seasons with the Tigers. He didn't quite replicate Burrow's stats with the team, but he led LSU to a 9-3 record with 3,812 passing yards and 40 touchdowns to only four interceptions.

With Williams going No. 1 in 2024, Washington selected Daniels with the No. 2 overall pick. 

Team Games Passing Yards Passing TDs Interceptions Rushing Yards Rushing TDs Washington 7 1,410 6 2 372 4

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Last 10 Heisman winners in NFL Draft

Winning the Heisman is the highest honor a player can receive while actively playing college football. The next step is hopefully getting drafted into the NFL. There has been a recent trend with the majority of recent Heisman winners all hearing their names called on the first night of the draft. The exception being a running back that was taken midway through the second round in 2016. 

Here are the last 10 Heisman Trophy winners and how they fared whenever they declared for the NFL Draft. 

Heisman Year Player Name Drafting Team Year Drafted Round Overall Pick 2014 Marcus Mariota Tennessee Titans 2015 1 2 2015 Derrick Henry Tennessee Titans 2016 2 45 2016 Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens 2018 1 32 2017 Baker Mayfield Cleveland Browns 2018 1 1 2018 Kyler Murray Arizona Cardinals 2019 1 1 2019 Joe Burrow Cincinnati Bengals 2020 1 1 2020 DeVonta Smith Philadelphia Eagles 2021 1 10 2021 Bryce Young Carolina Panthers 2023 1 1 2022 Caleb Williams Chicago Bears 2024 1 1 2023 Jayden Daniels Washington Commanders 2024 1 2

Just because you won the Heisman doesn't automatically mean that you are drafted into the NFL. Oklahoma quarterback Jason White won the Heisman Trophy in 2003. White tore his ACL in both knees between 2001 and 2002 and needed reconstructive surgery both times. He used to be a dual-threat quarterback but was forced into being more of a pocket passer.

White won the Heisman in 2003, finished third in voting in 2004, and then wasn't selected in the 2005 NFL Draft. Teams cited his knee injuries as the reasoning. While he eventually was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent, White never attempted to play because of his previous knee injuries. 

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Heisman winners to make Pro Football Hall of Fame

There have been 88 winners of the Heisman Trophy, but only 10 have gone on to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Heisman Year Player Name College Position NFL Hall of Fame Induction Year 1948 Doak Walker SMU RB 1986 1956 Paul Hornung Notre Dame QB 1986 1963 Roger Staubach Navy QB 1985 1968 O.J. Simpson USC RB 1985 1976 Tony Dorsett Pittsburgh RB 1994 1977 Earl Campbell Texas RB 1991 1981 Marcus Allen USC RB 2003 1987 Tim Brown Notre Dame WR 2015 1988 Barry Sanders Oklahoma State RB 2004 1997 Charles Woodson Michigan CB 2021

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