TCU
Everything is bigger in Texas — including the news that TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston was selected in the first round to join the Los Angeles Chargers during Thursday night’s NFL Draft. Johnston, who was the 21st overall pick, is the 17th Horned Frog to be a first-round selection and seventh in the last 14 seasons. He is also the third wide receiver in the past eight years to be selected by the NFL.
The last three TCU players drafted by the Chargers have all been in the first round: Johnston, Jason Verrett (2014), and LaDainian Tomlinson (2001).
A 2022 Team Captain, Johnston was TCU's Offensive MVP in its College Football Playoff Semifinal win over Michigan. He completed six receptions for 163 yards, including a 76-yard touchdown. He also racked up a team record of 60 receptions, 1,069 yards, and six touchdowns on the season. Johnston became TCU's first 1,000-yard receiver since fellow first-round pick Jalen Reagor in 2018.
Johnston’s near-elite combination of size and athleticism, as well as an alpha mentality has served him well in contested situations. His career 19.0 yards per catch average ranks first in TCU history for players with at least 100 receptions. Playing just three seasons, his 2,190 yards receiving, and 14 touchdown catches place eighth overall. He totaled 115 receptions with nine career 100-yard games and racked up over 2,000 yards receiving, which includes 14 touchdown passes.
The NFL Draft, however, wouldn’t be the first time this Temple, Texas, native would be sought after either. Johnston was coveted by several prestigious Big 12 schools for his length and athleticism coming out of high school. Johnston had offers from Texas and Oklahoma and even signed with the Longhorns initially. But the process soon saw him de-commit from Texas to join up with the TCU Horned Frogs.
A basketball and track star out of high school, Johnston’s athleticism easily translated to the football field. The four-star recruit took on an immediate role as a big-play threat for TCU in 2020, accruing 22 catches for 487 yards and two scores. Averaging 22.1 yards per catch, Johnston entered 2021 as one of the most dynamic returning Big 12 receivers. He maintained that reputation as a sophomore, compiling 33 catches for 634 yards and six scores.
In 2022, Johnston was able to take on greater volume and finally realized his potential as TCU’s premier weapon in the passing game. Through the regular season and the Big 12 Championship, Johnston put up 53 catches for 903 yards and five touchdowns. In 2022, after a slow start to the season, he caught fire, accumulating 41 catches for 789 yards and five scores in his final seven games.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
TCU's First-Round NFL Draft Picks
- 1936 – Jimmy Lawrence, WB, Chicago Cardinals
- 1937 – Sam Baugh, QB, Washington Redskins
- 1939 – Ki Aldrich, C, Chicago Cardinals
- 1939 – Davey O'Brien, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
- 1939 – I.B. Hale, T, Washington Redskins
- 1958 – Jim Shofner, DB, Cleveland Browns
- 1960 – Jack Spikes, FB, Denver Broncos
- 1961 – Bob Lilly, DT, Dallas Cowboys
- 1970 – Norm Bulaich, RB, Baltimore Colts
- 2001 – LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers
- 2010 – Jerry Hughes, DE, Indianapolis Colts
- 2014 – Jason Verrett, CB, San Diego Chargers
- 2016 – Josh Doctson, WR, Washington Redskins
- 2019 – L.J. Collier, DE, Seattle Seahawks
- 2020 – Jalen Reagor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
- 2020 – Jeff Gladney, CB, Minnesota Vikings
- 2023 – Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
