‘I knew it was my time.’ Kendre Miller confident as TCU football’s No. 1 running back
It’s Miller Time for TCU football these days.
Junior running back Kendre Miller has assumed the No. 1 running back position this spring as the rushing attack fills the void left by leading rusher Zach Evans, who departed for Ole Miss via the transfer portal this offseason.
“When (Evans) left, I knew it was my time,” said Miller, who joined the program as a three-star prospect out of Mount Enterprise High School in 2020.
“I just have to step up to the plate and take it. I try to keep everybody up now since I’m leading the running back room.”
Evans led the Frogs with 648 yards rushing in six games last season. But Miller wasn’t far behind with 623 yards rushing and had a team-leading seven touchdowns. He also led the team with 7.5 yards per carry compared with Evans’ 7.0 yards per carry.
Miller contributed in the passing game, too, finishing with 117 yards receiving on 10 catches with one touchdown. As a true freshman in 2020, Miller had 388 yards rushing and two TDs on 54 carries in nine games.
Asked where he wants to see his game develop, Miller pointed to staying healthy an entire season. He has missed games due to injury in each of his first two seasons.
“I would like to just finish the season,” Miller said, “get through the season healthy.”
For TCU, the rushing attack has been one of the bright spots the last two seasons despite the team falling short of expectations overall. The Frogs ranked third in the Big 12 in rushing offense last season, averaging 196.3 yards per game. In 2020, they had the league’s best rushing attack averaging 214.7 yards per game.
Along with Miller, TCU’s running back corps is deep once again with Emari Demercado returning for a super senior season. Junior Daimarqua Foster has looked healthy this spring and Louisiana transfer Emani Bailey appears to bring a different element to the backfield.
Plus, the Frogs brought in a well-respected coach in Anthony Jones, who coached a number of NFL players during his time at Memphis.
“I see a lot of potential in our room,” Miller said. “We’re going to really share the ball, like equally, so it’s not just one person taking a beating. By the end of the season, we should all be fresh.”
Miller has liked what he’s seen from the new offensive approach under first-year coach Sonny Dykes and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley. There is an emphasis on spreading the ball around and utilizing the running backs in every facet (rushing, receiving and pass protection).
And Miller has enjoyed the transition as far as practices are concerned. Dykes has opened up practices to the media and fans, providing a little extra motivation on a daily basis.
“Practice is completely different from what it used to be,” Miller said. “Everybody was just kind of sluggish, like getting through it, but now everybody is competing every day and ready to go to work. I like it. I think the new coaching staff has helped out a whole lot.”
It’s helped that veteran players such as Miller have bought into the new staff, too. Miller could’ve bolted to another school this offseason but opted to stay. He mentioned meeting with other leaders on the team, including cornerback Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson and wide receiver Quentin Johnston, about giving the new staff an opportunity to establish themselves with the players.
It’s worked out so far.
“Last year we knew we had the pieces, but it just wasn’t our time,” Miller said. “This year I feel strongly that it will be a way better year with the new coaching staff and how we do things so much different.
“I think the offense will be very good. The defense, too, just with practice ... it’s way more competitive now.”
This story was originally published April 6, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
