Former Catholic League, LSU stars shine in NFL

The storied football histories of the Catholic League and LSU are a treasure for all to witness on a continuing basis.

On Sunday, three players from those two outstanding entities came through with huge performances in victories for their respective teams while several others are playing well and contributing to their respective squads.

Archbishop Rummel has produced eight NFL players who have played in NFL games,

Former Rummel and LSU star Ja’Marr Chase was tremendous for the Cincinnati Bengals, continuing his quest for NFL Rookie of the Year and to make All-Pro in his rookie season as Chase caught eight passes for 201 yards and a touchdown in a 41-17 win over Baltimore.

In seven NFL games, Chase has 35 catches for 754 yards and six touchdowns. Chase leads the NFL in yards per catch at 21.5 per reception. The 754 yards are the most by any player in his first seven games in NFL history. Chase is just 21, with a tremendous future.

Additionally, Kristian Fulton of Rummel and LSU has been good for Tennessee but has missed the last two weeks with a hamstring injury.

When on the field, Fulton has had a good start to the season with 16 tackles, six passes broken up and an interception. He will miss at least one more game as he heals up for a team that is looking good.

Former Rummel and Nebraska star Cethan Carter has played in all seven games for Miami, in on 39 snaps. Carter, used primarily as a blocker and on special teams, has two catches for 16 yards for the Dolphins. In his fourth year in the league, Carter is 26.

Former Rummel star Cyril Grayson, who ran track at LSU, has played in the league for three seasons with Tampa Bay, earning a Super Bowl ring last season. Grayson played in his first game in 2021 in yesterday’s 38-3 win over Chicago.

Jesuit has produced nine NFL players, according to Pro Football Reference, in the school’s history.

Former Jesuit and LSU star Foster Moreau came up big for the Las Vegas Raiders with six catches for 60 yards and a touchdown in a 33-22 win over Philadelphia.

Primarily used as the blocking tight end for the Raiders, Moreau stepped up with superb receiving tight end Darren Waller not playing, due to an ankle injury. On the season, Moreau had 10 catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Moreau is just 24 with a great future.

Former Jesuit and LSU star Debo Jones was fabulous for the Atlanta Falcons in a 30-28 win at Miami. Jones had 15 tackles, including 11 solo stops, three tackles for loss and a sack.

In his sixth season through six games in 2021, Jones is second on the Falcons with 58 tackles, including seven for loss with two sacks. Jones is just 26 with a great future.

Brother Martin has had six players in the NFL.

Former Brother Martin and Tulane star Roderic Teamer has played in three games, totaling 33 snaps for the Raiders and he has been on seven tackles in his second year in the NFL. Teamer is 24.

Former Brother Martin and Alabama tight end Irv Smith has played two seasons for Minnesota but has not played this year, on injured reserve for the Vikings with a torn meniscus. In two seasons, Smith has 66 receptions for 676 yards and seven touchdowns.

Former Brother Martin and LSU star Will Clapp is in his fourth season this year with the New Orleans Saints and has played in two games since returning from injury. Clapp is 25.

St. Augustine, which has produced 32 NFL players per Pro Football Reference, continue to show well in the NFL. The Purple Knights easily own the record for the most players from Louisiana to play in the NFL as Ruston is second with 19.

Leonard Fournette of St. Augustine and LSU is coming off winning a Super Bowl championship with Tampa Bay. On Sunday, Fournette rushed 15 times for 81 yards and a score in a 38-3 win over Chicago. Fournette has rushed for 413 yards and four touchdowns and has 27 catches for 222 yards in his fifth season in the NFL. Fournette is 26.

Tyrann Mathieu of St. Augustine and LSU has enjoyed an outstanding NFL career. Mathieu is in his ninth season in the NFL. Mathieu has two interceptions, including one returned for a score. Mathieu had six tackles in a 27-3 loss to Tennessee Sunday. Mathieu is 29.

Stanley Morgan of St. Augustine and Nebraska has played in all seven games for Cincinnati, primarily as a core special teams player for the Bengals in his third season in the league. Morgan is 25.

Trai Turner of St. Augustine and LSU is in his eighth season in the NFL, now playing for Pittsburgh. Turner has started all six games for the Steelers this season and has 95 career starts. A five-time Pro Bowl player, Turner is 28.

John Curtis Christian has 14 players who have played in the NFL, has its share of participants presently. Curtis ranks third behind St. Augustine and Ruston in Louisiana history for producing NFL players.

Before John Curtis Christian entered the Catholic League, Duke Riley was a star for current Catholic League member John Curtis Christian. Riley has played in seven games for Atlanta, making four tackles, in on 19 snaps. Riley is in his fifth year at the age of 27.

Former Curtis star Garret Wallow has played in all seven games for Houston as a rookie and has been in on three tackles, playing 15 snaps. Wallow is just 22.

The real star among former John Curtis players is Kenny Young of UCLA with the Los Angeles Rams.

Young has played in all seven games with 46 tackles, including six for loss with two sacks in his fourth year in the league. Young has recovered a fumble and has forced a fumble. Young is just 26.

Archbishop Shaw and Holy Cross currently have no players in the NFL but the Eagles have had 11 players in the league (tied for fifth among Louisiana high schools) while the Tigers have produced nine NFL players over the years.

Rummel, Jesuit, Brother Martin, St. Augustine, John Curtis Christian, Shaw, Holy Cross and LSU fans are most certainly not surprised by the performances of their past and present gridiron standouts.