Dozens of New Orleans area products headed to NFL training camps

NFL training camps open their doors beginning July 20 with the Las Vegas Raiders. Rookies roll in two days sooner.

The metro New Orleans area has a history of producing elite prep talent which ends up with an impressive number reaching the NFL. It is a clear demonstration of the skills and motivation the players possess along with the outstanding coaching they receive in their formative years locally.

Richie Petitbon, Aeneas Williams, Marshall Faulk, Peyton Manning, Hank Lauricella, LeRoy Hoard, Ed Reed, Steve Van Buren all sharpened their talents while in high school in New Orleans. That is but a sample of a long and illustrious list.

This season there are 37 locals on NFL rosters. Two or three additional could make their way into camps as training camps continue to open and preseason games begin.

St. Augustine paces this year’s class with five alums in that number. Edna Karr, Brother Martin, Rummel and Destrehan each boasr our while John Curtis adds three contributions. Jesuit, Lutcher and Ehret have two a piece. Hahnville, Bonnabel, Newman, Warren Easton, Kentwood, West Jeff and Riverdale have one representative.

Here are the quick notes on this year’s local headed to NFL camps:

– Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette (St. Augustine, LSU) 2013 Mr. Football in Louisiana won Super Bowl LV with Tampa Bay. A four year starter for Purple Knights accumulating 7,619 yards rushing 88 touchdowns, the #1 prospect in the 2014 class. 31 games at LSU he compiled 3,830 yards with 40 touchdowns. His NFL stats, 3,810 yards, 31 touchdowns, 239 catches for 1,696 yards and four scores. Top pick of Jaguars in 2017.

– Saints WR Jarvis Landry (Lutcher, LSU) five star prospect in 2011 class 241 catches for 3,902 yards and 50 touchdowns at Lutcher, adding 875 yards and 14 scores as a runner. While at LSU he snared 137 passes for 1,809 yards and 15 touchdowns. His 564 NFL catches were the most by any player all time in the NFL for the first six seasons of his career. Entering his 9th season, he has 688 catches, 7,598 yards and 37 touchdowns.

– Rams WR Odell Beckham, Jr. (Newman, LSU) While at Newman he lined up at QB, RB, WR and CB. He also excelled in track, soccer and was All-District in basketball and track, #1 pick of the NY Giants in 2014 has tallied 531 grabs for 7,367 yards and 56 scores. He was first rookie to record 75 catches for 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns. Fastest player to catch 200 passes and 4,000 career yards. three time Pro Bowler.

– Dolphins TE Cethan Carter (Rummel, Nebraska) undrafted signed with Bengals before landing with Dolphins. Was a TE, H-Back and RB at Rummel. Helped the Raiders to a 14- 0 state title in 2014. Was All-State TE also excelled on hardwood. 43 games for Cornhuskers, 59 catches, 744 yards, four touchdowns. True freshman All-American for Cornhuskers. 59 career catches 5th most by a TE in Nebraska history.

– Bengals WR Stanley Morgan (St. Augustine, Nebraska) undrafted signed by Cincinnati in 2019. While at St. Aug . snared 173 footballs for 2,774 yards and 34 scores during his three seasons. Career at Nebraska found him as the all time leader as a receiver with 189 catches, 2,747 yards, 22 touchdowns. He is the first player in Nebraska history to record two consecutive 900 yard receiving seasons. He also holds the school record with at least one catch in 38 consecutive games.

– Titans CB Tre’ Swilling (Brother Martin, Ga. Tech) helped Brother Martin reach state semifinals in 2014 and 2016. three year team captain and four year Honor Roll. Also played basketball for Crusaders, 40 career starts at Ga. Tech, was a free agent signee with Tennessee.

– Buccaneers LB Andre Anthony (Edna Karr, LSU) Senior year at Karr 56 tackles, eight sacks. In 35 games at LSU, 16 starts, 55 tackles, 11 TFL, 10.5 sacks. Had 2.5 sacks vs. McNeese in 2021.

– Rams TE Jamal Pettigrew (St. Augustine, LSU, McNeese) four years at LSU (28 games) transferred to McNeese, was undrafted signing with Rams. He was considered the 7th best TE nationally in the 2016 signing class.

– Saints WR Dai’Jean Dixon (Karr, Nicholls) Senior year at Karr, 42 catches 1,004 yards, 11 touchdowns, earning All-Metro and 4A All-State. Played basketball for Cougars. He is Nicholls all time leading receiver, 236 catches, 3,802 yards, 35 touchdowns. Undrafted with Saints.

– Cardinals WR Jontre’ Kirklin (Lutcher, LSU) accounted for 147 touchdowns while at Lutcher, 7,500 yards passing, 3,000 yards rushing. Twice 3A State champions. 57 games at LSU as a DB, WR and QB. He will wear jersey # 31 for Redbirds as undrafted FA.

– Falcons LB Deion Jones (Jesuit, LSU) earned All-State at Jesuit with 179 tackles, eight sacks,5 FF and three interceptions as senior. With 4.38 speed, he was a 2nd round pick for Atlanta in 2016. 2017 Pro Bowl. 51 games at LSU with 12 starts. As a SR. was a Butkus finalist with 100 tackles, five sacks. Seven years in NFL (85 games),652 stops, 8.5 sacks.

– Carolina CB Donte’ Jackson (Riverdale, LSU) won the 100, 200 meter state titles at Riverdale. As a DB he had 59 tackles, as a RB, 1,637 yards. 3rd round pick of Panthers in 2018. He ran on LSU’s four X 100 relay team as the leadoff. He turned the 60 meters in 6.63 seconds. 55 contests in NFL 209 stops, 38 PBU and 12 interceptions.

– Raiders LB Kenny Young (John Curtis, UCLA) won three state titles at Curtis. The Patriots were named the # one team in the nation in 2012. A four star prospect (2014) he totaled 122 tackles, nine TFL as a senior and was named the state’s 3A defensive player of the year. 42 starts at UCLA, he was All-PAC 12 as a senior. In his 5th NFL season, he has 184 tackles, 5.5 sacks.

– Vikings TE Irv Smith, Jr. (Brother Martin, Alabama) Senior at Brother Martin had 31 catches for 558 yards and four touchdowns. Was rated the 15th best TE in the country. 24 games at Alabama, 54 catches, 838 yards, 10 touchdowns. 28 of his catches at Alabama produced a 1st down or touchdown. 4th NFL season with Vikings, 66 grabs, 676 yards, seven touchdowns.

– Vikings WR Justin Jefferson (Destrehan, LSU) three star prospect in 2017. As senior in H.S. had 44 grabs, 956 yards, nine touchdowns. Final season at LSU (2019) 111 catches, 1,540 yards, 18 touchdowns. 1st round pick by Minnesota (2020) twice Pro Bowl 1st two seasons. Joined Randy Moss and Sammy White as only former Viking to make Pro Bowl 1st two seasons. NFL numbers, 196 catches, 3,016 yards and 17 scores.

– Chargers OL Will Clapp (Brother Martin, LSU) 5A All-State as Jr. and Sr. at Brother Martin. 11th ranked OG in 2014 class. three seasons at LSU (36 games) Twice All-SEC. 2,279 career snaps, 218 knockdowns . Did not allow a sack while at LSU. 7th roud pick of Saints 2018, 34 NFL games.

– Dolphins LB Duke Riley (Curtis, LSU) Senior year in H.S. 124 tackles. Curtis captured won state titles Riley’s final two seasons. Earned MVP as sophomore in state title game after recording 21 tackles. As senior at LSU (2016) 93 tackles. 50 games in Tiger Stripes produced 144 stops, 10 TFL. 2nd round pick in 2017 by Falcons, 185 career NFL tackles.

– Buccaneers WR Cyril Grayson (Rummel, LSU) ran track and football at Rummel. Was Beta Honor Roll and National Honor Society. Was seven time All-American in track at LSU. Undrafted he is in 6th season in NFL. Member of Bucs Super Bowl LV champions.

– Commanders OL Cornelius Lucas (Karr, Kansas State) three year starter at Karr. Cougars won district titles 2007, 2008. Lucas was named OL of year in District in 2008. 50 contests at K- State, 27 starts at LT. Undrafted, the 6- 8, 328 has played nine seasons in NFL 82 games, 31 starts.

– Titans WR Racey McMath (Karr, LSU) helped Karr to 14- 0 mark and 4A state title in 2016. The 6- 3, 224 with 4.39 speed, played in 34 games at LSU, six starts, 33 catches, 522 yards, four touchdowns. In 2019 he caught a 60 yard TD pass from Joe Burrow vs. Miss. State. He was 6th round pick of Tennessee in ’21.

– Saints WR Kirk Merritt (Destrehan, Ark. State) helped Destrehan to 14- one record and appearance in title game while rushing for 1,058 yards and 11 touchdowns. Two seasons at Arkansas State, 153 catches, 1,811 yards, 19 touchdowns., earning All-Sun Belt.

– Raiders WR Tyron Johnson (Warren Easton, LSU, Oklahoma State) Sr. Warren Easton 94 catches, 1,589 yards 17 touchdowns. was top rated player in La. in 2015 and # two WR in nation. As a five star signed with LSU. Two seasons at Oklahoma State produced 80 catches, 1,288 yards in 26 games. four seasons in NFL, signed undrafted with Texans.

– Steelers OG Trai Turner (St. Augustine, LSU) four star prospect in 2011 class. 20 starts during two seasons at LSU, opted out of final two seasons. At LSU, 1,416 snaps, 116 pancake blocks,. five time Pro Bowler. nine NFL seasons, 110 games.

– Raiders DB Rod Teamer (Brother Martin, Tulane) Twice All-District for Crusaders, 116 tackles senior year. Earned All-State. 280 career tackles for Crusaders. four year starter at Tulane, 197 stops, 15 PBU, three interceptions, three sacks in 46 games.. 4th season in NFL 57 tackles.

– Raiders TE Foster Moreau (Jesuit, LSU) helped Blue Jays capture 1st state football title in 50 years in 2014. Excelled in basketball for Jays. 49 games at LSU, 52 catches, 629 yards, six touchdowns. 4th round pick of Raiders in 2019 has tallied 58 catches, 687 yards, 10 touchdowns.

– Bengals RB Anthony “Pooka” Willaims (Hahnville, Kansas) 2016 Mr. Louisiana football, led Hahnville to championship game. Totaled 3,118 yards rushing with 37 touchdowns as a senior. At Kansas, was Big 12 Freshman of the Year, twice 1st team All-Big 12. Broke Gayle Sayers mark for most rushing yards by a Jayhawk in first two seasons with 2,167 yards and 16 scores. As a freshman had 252 yards rushing in game against Oklahoma. Undrafted signed by Cincinnati.

– Texans LB Garrett Wallow (Curtis, TCU) final two seasons at Curtis totaled 139 tackles, two sacks, 6TFL, # three safety in recruiting class. Jr. campaign at TCU (2019) 125 tackles.

– Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase (Rummel, LSU) career at Rummel 115 catches, 2,152 yards, 30 touchdowns. Won state long jump school mark with 24 ‘ 21/2 ” 35 year old school record.. two seasons at LSU (27 games) 107 catches, 2,093 yards and 23 touchdowns. Captured 2019 Biletnikoff award and unanimous All-American. Fifth overall pick in 2021 draft earned Pro Bowl and NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Had 81 grabs, 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns as rookie.

– Commanders LB De’Jon “Scooter” Harris (John Ehret, Arkansas) Sr. (2015) at Ehret two way sensation, 83 tackles, 14 TFL also ran for 1,058 yards, 374 yards as receiver and passed for 495 yards. four time All-SEC for Razorbacks, 271 career stops, 2nd NFL season in D.C.

– Steelers DB Athur Maulet (Bonnabel, Memphis) 73 tackles, two interceptions, All-District as a punter for Bonnabel. Undrafted signed with Saints in 2017. 6th NFL campaign with 99 tackles, two INTs.

– Colts WR Michael Young (Destrehan, Notre Dame, Cincinnati) transfer from Notre Dame. Sr. at Destrehan 74 catches, 401 yards, seven touchdowns At Cincinnati totaled 28- 353 yards, two touchdowns in 2021. Undrafted with Colts

– Browns DT Glen Logan (Destrehan, LSU) 42 games at LSU, produced 109 tackles, seven sacks. 10.5 TFL. Reportedly signed deal with WWE for life outside of/after football. Undrafted signed in ’22.

– Saints DB Tyrann Mathieu (St. Aug, LSU) 2011 Heisman Finalist at LSU, 2010 four star 9th rated player in La. He accumulated 136 tackles, six sacks, four interceptions in 26 games in Baton Rouge. three time 1st team All-Pro, three time Pro Bowler. Am electric, intense competitor. In 10 seasons in NFL, 616 tackles, 76 PBU, 26 interceptions. Super Bowl LIV champ.

– Titans DB Kristian Fulton (Rummel, LSU) 2014 Junior season at Rummel, 11 interceptions for season. three INTs in one game against Holy Cross. five star in 2016 class and # three rated CB. 28 games at LSU, 65 Tackles, 25 PBU and two INTs. Helped Tigers win National title in 2019. 2nd round pick of Titans in 2020.

– Titans DB Shyheim Carter (Kentwood, Alabama) Senior year at Kentwood, 57 stops, five interceptions, ran for 1,648 yards, passed for 2,443 yards and 30 total scores. Played 50 games at Alabama with 23 starts.

– Cardinals RB Darrel Williams (Ehret, LSU) Sr. at Ehret, 2,036 yards rushing, 27 touchdowns. 2014. Despite sharing backfield at LSU with Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice, managed 1,651 career yards (5.1 average) 19 touchdowns, 38 catches, 462 yards. Super Bowl LIV Champion, Undrafted, 5th season in NFL.

– Vikings CB Parry Nickerson (West Jeff, Tulane) Sr. at West Jeff, All-State, 59 tackles, 16 PBU, five INTs. In 48 contests with Green Wave, 16 interceptions, 31 PBU. Jim Thorpe Finalist in 2017. 5th NFL season.