Louisiana products take their NFL chances as undrafted rookie free agents

Teams continue to stack their rosters with available rookies following the NFL draft.

Undrafted free agents are actual in a somewhat advantageous position. In spite of not hearing their names called during the sven rounds of the draft, many can pick and choose the best landing spot for them as a result.

John Ehret’s De’Jon “Scoota” Harris was signed as an undrafted FA by the New England Patriots. He’s been an outstanding linebacker the past four years at Arkansas, with three consecutive 100-plus tackle. Harris leaves the Razorbacks with 364 career stops.

The 6-foot, 245-pounder was a jack of all trades player on the prep level, playing both ways as a linebacker and quarterback. Harris led the Patriots to the 2015 state championship game.

Kirk Merritt (6-0, 215) is an elite athlete who will attempt to make the Miami Dolphins as a wide receiver. Begging his college career at Oregon before transferring to Texas A&M, the Destrehan alum then made a stop at East Mississippi Community College before finally settling at Arkansas State. Over the past two seasons, Merritt snared 153 passes for 1,091 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Adrian Magee (6-4, 340) demonstrated some versatility on the LSU offensive line, drawing reps at both tackle spots and left guard The Franklinton alum has signed with the Saints.

Another LSU product who had to battle for snaps, Derrick Dillon has tremendous speed (4.29 forty). He caught 51 passes for 634 yards and four touchdowns for the Tigers. The former Pine High School star will get a shot with the New York Giants.

The New York Jets like what they saw in former Kentwood star Shyheim Carter (5-10, 194), the former Class 1A Offensive MVP in 2015. While at Alabama he displayed some versatility, playing in 50 contests (23 starts) lining up everywhere in the secondary. In 2019, Carter recorded 43 tackles with seven passes broken up and an interception.

Louisiana-Lafayette’s Michael Jaquet (6-2, 200) began his career with the Ragin’ Cajuns as a wide receiver but moved over to cornerback in 2018.. He manged to total 95 tackles and four interceptions the past two seasons. Jaquet is headed to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Tulane center Christian Montano (6-4, 300) arrived in 2019 as a grad transfer. He started every game this past season. Prior to his arrival, he made 25 starts at Brown University as a team captain. He will suit up for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Another former John Ehret star, linebacker Michael Divinty, had 105 career tackles with 18 for loss at LSU. He only played in five games this past season due to off the field issues. That hurt his draft status. Divinity did record 10 tackles against Texas earlier this season. He was invited to the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent.

The Atlanta Falcons dipped into the Crescent City and grabbed a very productive wide receiver from Tulane. Jalen McCleskey (5-11, 165) prepped at St. Paul’s before signing with Oklahoma State where he tallied 167 catches for 1,865 yards and 17 touchdowns. Possessing reliable hands and outstanding route running talent, McCleskey turned in a 4.28 forty and 40″ vertical to impress scouts in the pre-draft process. He had 37 catches for 581 yards and four touchdowns for the Green Wave this season.

Louisiana-Lafayette’s Ja’Marcus Bradley decided that the Cleveland Browns are his best option after a fine career as a college wideout. The 6-1, 195-pound playmaker had 160 career grabs for 2,359 yards and 23 touchdowns with 60 of those catches in ’19 for 906 yards and 10 scores.

John Curtis product Nate Evans will be the next linebacker from the high school dynasty in River Ridge to have his shot in the NFL. He’s headed to Jacksonville. Evans (6-1, 241) just finished a fine career at UCF where he totaled 211 tackles wtith 23 for loss the past two seasons. The instinctive ball magnet played in 48 games for the Knights and was a team captain this season.

Tulane’s Darius Bradwell (6-1, 230) arrived for college as a 210 pound pro style QB from Tallahassee. Considering offers from South Florida, Louisville, Georgia Southern, Kent State and Oregon State, he settled on the Green Wave. Bradwell’s best season came in 2018 when he managed 1,184 yards rushing with 11 touchdowns. He will now try to make the roster with the Los Angeles Chargers.