Photo courtesy Miami Dolphins
The Carroll Dragons have long been a powerhouse in high school football, and their influence doesn’t stop at Dragon Stadium. Many Dragons have gone on to play at the collegiate level — and some have reached the pinnacle of professional football: the NFL.
Currently, four former Dragons are active in the league, showcasing the talent, discipline, and work ethic honed in Southlake. With two NFL games already in the books for the 2025 season, here’s a snapshot of where these Dragons are playing on Sundays.
Quinn Ewers – Quarterback, Miami Dolphins
Carroll Class of 2021 (early graduate)
Drafted in the 7th round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Ewers earned a spot on the Dolphins’ 53-man roster as the backup to Tua Tagovailoa behind Zach Wilson.
At Carroll, he threw for over 10,500 yards and 115 touchdowns. At Texas, he finished third in program history in completions (737), passing yards (9,128), and touchdowns (68), trailing only Colt McCoy and Sam Ehlinger. In his final season, he threw for 2,472 yards with 31 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, leading the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
In the 2025 preseason, Ewers appeared in all three games, completing 23 of 43 passes for 272 yards and 2 touchdowns, though he also lost four fumbles.
R.J. Mickens – Safety, Los Angeles Chargers
Carroll Class of 2020
Drafted in the 6th round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Mickens contributes on special teams and as a rotational safety.
At Carroll, he recorded 14 interceptions and over 100 tackles, earning multiple All-State and District Defensive Player of the Year honors. At Clemson, he became a ball-hawking presence in the secondary.
In the 2025 preseason, Mickens tallied 11 tackles (6 solo), 1 pass defensed, and 1 forced fumble. Notably, Pro Football Focus gave him a 93 grade in Week 1, the highest among all rookie safeties.
Evan Brown – Offensive Guard, Arizona Cardinals
Carroll Class of 2014
Brown signed a two-year, $11.5 million contract with Arizona in March 2025. The former SMU standout has started 57 games in his NFL career for multiple teams, including the Giants, Dolphins, Browns, Lions, and Seahawks.
A versatile lineman, Brown has played both center and guard. His breakout season came with Detroit in 2022, where he replaced injured Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow, starting 12 games at center while allowing just one sack and eight pressures. He won the starting center job in Seattle in 2024 and remains a steady force in the league.
Lil’Jordan Humphrey – Wide Receiver, New York Giants
Carroll Class of 2016
Currently on the Giants’ practice squad, Humphrey has 6 years of professional experience with the Saints, Broncos, and Patriots, totaling six career touchdown receptions in the NFL.
At Carroll, he played both running back and wide receiver, drawing attention from Division I programs before committing to Texas. In three seasons with the Longhorns, he recorded 1,622 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.