New Orleans high school products featured in 2021 NFL rosters

The Greater New Orleans Metro area has an extensive history of producing talent which advances to the NFL and even the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

It is a clear demonstration of the skill and the determination of the individuals, along with the outstanding coaching they receive in their formative years. Names like Richie Petitbon, Hank Lauricella, Eddie Price, Steve Van Buren, Aeneas Williams, Leroy Hoard, Kordell Stewart, Marshall Faulk and Peyton Manning are just a few of many greats to come from the Crescent City.

Some of the players on this year’s NFL rosters are starters with a few Pro Bowlers. Some will be role players and others may land on practice squads to begin the season.

– LB Deion Jones (Jesuit)
With the Atlanta Falcons, the ex-LSU standout made the Pro Bowl in 2017. A 4.37 40-time makes him perhaps the fastest ‘backer in the NFL. During his first five pro seasons, “Debo” has compiled 515 career tackles.

– CB Donte Jackson (Riverdale)
Second round draft pick of Carolina in 2018. with 4.3 speed and a 37″ vertical, the LSU product has played in 43 NFL contests with 10 interceptions as a slot cover man.

– LB Kenny Young (John Curtis)
Fourth round choice of the Ravens in 2018 is now in his second season with the Rams. He has 120 career stops in 46 games.

– TE Irv Smith, Jr. (Brother Martin)
Second round pick of the Vikings in ’19 has 66 catches for 676 yards and seven touchdowns in the league. He may be primed for a breakout season.

– WR Justin Jefferson (Destrehan)
Last year’s rookie receiving sensation for Minnesota snared 88 passes for 1,400 yards and seven scores, earning him a spot in the Pro Bowl. At LSU, he totaled 165 catches for 2,415 yards and 24 TD’s.

– OL Will Clapp (Brother Martin)
In his fourth season with the New Orleans Saints, the versatile interior blocker made 25 game appearances in the NFL. In three seasons at LSU, Clapp was twice named first-team All-SEC and never allowed a sack with the Tigers.

-LB Duke Riley (John Curtis)
Entering his fifth year in the league and currently with Dolphins, the LSU product has recorded 159 career stops.

-WR Cyril Grayson (Rummel)
In four NFL seasons with five different stops, his 4.25 speed has earned him chances. The former LSU All-American in track did not play football in college. He was a member of Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl champions last season.

– OT Cornelius Lucas (Edna Karr)
Playing in 67 NFL games over seven seasons, he’s now with Washington. In 50 games at Kansas State, Lucas made 26 starts.

-WR Racey McMath (Edna Karr)
Behind talent high draft picks at LSU, the current Titans wideout has untapped potential and a good reputation as a special teams contributor.

– LB Garret Wallow (John Curtis)
The rookie has opened eyes with Houston Texans in camp. He recorded 295 tackles, 32.5 TFL and 8.5 sacks while at TCU where he was also twice first-team All-Big XII.

– RB Pooka Williams (Hahnville)
A 5-foot-10 blur with 4.3 speed, the former state prep superstar is now a backup with Cincinnati. In his senior season at Hahnville, he rushed for 3,118 yards and 37 touchdowns. At Kansas, he managed 2,363 yards and 12 TD’s including a memorable 252 yards against Oklahoma on the way to Big XII Freshman of the Year acclaim.

– TE Foster Moreau (Jesuit)
He has 28 catches for 314 yards and seven touchdowns in two seasons with the Raiders behind Darren Waller. As a senior at Jesuit, he made 34 catches 454 yards and six scores helping Blue Jays win state football title in 2014.

– RB Trey Ragas (Shaw)
A rookie with Las Vegas, he has always produced as a runner. In his final two seasons at Shaw, Ragas totaled 3,741 yards and 44 scores leading to an outstanding career with the Ragin’ Cajuns, rushing for 3,572 yards (third most in school history) and 38 touchdowns.

– DB Rod Teamer (Brother Martin)
In his third year in the NFL and now with Raiders, the former All State performer made 116 tackles as senior. In 46 games at Tulane, he collected 197 stops, 15 pass breakups, three interceptions and three sacks.

– OL Trai Turner (St. Augustine)
He has 89 NFL starts over eight seasons. Now with the Steelers, the five-time Pro Bowler is again slated to start at right guard.

-WR Tyron Johnson (Warren Easton)
Former Oklahoma State start has 20 catches for 398 yards and 3 TD’s in two pro seasons for the Chargers. As senior at Easton, he grabbed 94 passes for 1,589 yards and 17 TD’s.

– WR Kirk Merritt (Destrehan)
The undrafted second-year pro has been with Miami since 2020. He has explosive speed (10.44 in the 100).

-DB Shyheim Carter (Kentwood)
He played 50 games at Alabama with 23 starts. Now with the Houston Texans.

– WR Ja’ Marr Chase (Rummel)
This year’s No. 5 overall pick and 2019 Biletnikoff winner at LSU will catch passes from former Tigers teammate Joe Burrow this fall in Cincy.

– WR Stanley Morgan (St. Augustine)
Entering his third pro season with the Bengals, the Nebraska record holder in career catches (155) and yards (2,747 yards) had at least one catch in 38 consecutive college games.

– LB De Jon Harris (John Ehret)
After spending the 2020 season with the Patriots, he is now with the Packers. While at Arkansas, Harris made 152 tackles, 10.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks in 24 impactful outings. A two way star at Ehret, the 2015 senior managed 1,058 yards rushing and 83 tackles.

– DB Arthur Maulet (Bonnabel)
Undrafted out of Memphis, he signed with Saints and spent two seasons here. The fifth-year pro is with the Steelers now. All District in football as a punter at Bonnabel and All State in soccer, Maulet is a capable slot corner.

– CB Kristian Fulton (Rummel)
After 25 starts at LSU produced 65 tackles, 25 PBU and two interceptions, the Titans made him a second rounder in 2020. Fulton had 16 tackles and one pick as a rookie. His junior year at Rummel yielded 11 interceptions despite missing three games with injury.

– DB Tyrann Mathieu (St. Augustine)
The Honey Badger enters is ninth season in NFL. A three-time first team All Pro and Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs, Mathieu made a major college impact in only 26 games at LSU (Heisman finalist, SEC Defensive Player of the Year and Bednarick Award in 2011). He’s tallied 534 tackles, 23 interceptions and nine sacks in the NFL.

– RB Darrel Williams (John Ehret)
A Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs, he has earned his keep in K.C. after going undrafted in 2018. While at LSU, he ran for 1,651 yards and 19 touchdowns. An excellent blocker and receiver, he makes any RB room better.

– CB Parry Nickerson (West Jefferson)
He’s played four seasons with five teams, bolstered by 4.32 speed. Nickerson is currently with the Vikings. In 46 starts at Tulane, he snared 16 interceptions and broke up 31 passes.

– RB Leonard Fournette (St. Augustine)
Now with the Buccaneers, the Louisiana Mr. Football in 2013 accumulated 3,830 yards and 40 touchdowns in three seasons at LSU. Playing with Jacksonville and Tampa Bay, he has 2,998 yards and 23 TD’s, adding 170 catches for 1,242 yards and two more scores.

– WR Jarvis Landry (Lutcher)
Entering his eighth season, the six-time Pro Bowler is one of the league’s toughest pass catchers. His 564 grabs were the most by any player in NFL history over his first six seasons. Currently, the Browns stalwart has 636 catches, 7,028 yards and 35 touchdowns in his career.

-WR Odell Beckham, Jr. (Newman)
Now with Cleveland, the 2014 Rookie of Year and three-time Pro Bowler has 487 catches for 6,830 yards 51 touchdowns with the Giants and Browns.

-TE Cethan Carter (Rummel)
Entering year five in the NFL, the former Bengal is now with Miami The freshman All American at Nebraska in 2013 was All State at Rummel, helping the Raiders to 14-0 record and state title in 2012.