Emari Demercado

Emari Demercado (born January 20, 1999) is an American football running back for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Saddleback before transferring to TCU and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cardinals after the 2023 NFL draft.

Early years
Demercado grew up in Inglewood, California going to middle school at Century Community Charter School in the heart of Inglewood. He also attended Downey High School. He committed to play college football at Saddleback College, a junior college in Mission Viejo, California. He is of Jamaican descent.

College career
Demercado played one year at Saddleback, rushing for 1,026 yards, and 15 touchdowns. He also brought in 54 receptions for 443 yards and two touchdowns. On May 6, 2018, Demercado committed to Texas Christian University (TCU). Demercado would play for five years at TCU. During his time as a Horned Frog he racked up 1,615 rushing yards, and 10 touchdowns on the ground, averaging 4.8 yards per carry, and through the air he caught 40 passes, for 277 yards, and a touchdown. Demercado's best season occurred in 2022 where he recorded 121 carries for 681 yards and six touchdowns; he also had 13 catches for 65 yards and a touchdown. Demercado had a breakout game in TCU's first playoff game where he rushed for a career high 150 yards, he also added on a run got 69 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Demercado also rushed for 59 yards in the National Championship Game.

After the season Demercado declared for the 2023 NFL draft.

Professional career
After not being selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Demercado signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent. On August 29, 2023, the Cardinals announced that he had made the initial 53-man roster. In Week 5 against the Bengals, he had his first professional rushing touchdown in the 34–20 loss. He appeared in 14 games and made two starts in the 2023 season. He finished with 58 carries for 284 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to go with 21 receptions for 119 receiving yards in his rookie season.