Notes: 2022 NFL Draft hopefuls with Louisiana connections

Every season, an abundance of talent on NFL rosters are either natives of Louisiana or spent their college football careers playing on the state’s soil.

More draft eligible players hope to join that list.

Here are quick hitters on those who are preparing for the ’22 NFL Draft.

– CB Derek Stingley, Jr., LSU from Dunham School
1st round talent, could hear his name called within first 10-15 selections. With his 4.3 speed and 42″ vertical, he is one of the most coveted cover corners in the draft.

– LB Christian Harris (6-2, 232) Alabama from University Lab
3 year-starter for Tide, a staple of the Alabama defense, 41 games in Tuscaloosa produced 222 tackles and 11 sacks, could go as high as 2nd round

– DT Phidarian Mathis (6-4, 313) Neville High School
former 4-star prospect in 2017, he recorded 129 tackles, 16 TFL and 10.5 sacks, with 50 QB pressures. 2nd-3rd round potential

– OT Max Mitchell (6-6, 297) Neville High School
teammate of Phidarian Mathis played in 38 games at ULL; over 2,322 snaps, allowed only 5 sacks and 29 pressures. Superb run blocker, good pass protection. Saints appear to have interest. Projected 3rd rounder.

– DT Neil Farrell (6-4, 330) LSU
good leverage, bull rush, has tree trunks for legs. Had 144 tackles, 7.5 sacks in Tiger stripes. Gained attention at NFL Combine. 4th round potential.

– DB Cordale Flott (6-2, 170) LSU
nickel back can also play safety, good tracking ball, 5th round.

– LB Damone Clark (6-3, 240) LSU from Southern Lab
recorded 136 tackles in 2021, 3rd nationally and tops in the SEC, 19 of those stops came against Ole Miss. Career numbers: 249 tackles, 10 sacks; squats 605 lbs. with a 31.6″ vertical. 3rd or 4th rounder

– LB Christopher Allen (6-4, 242) Southern Lab
missed almost all of 2021 campaign with foot injury sustained in season opener. Pass rusher who was also outstanding in coverage while at Alabama. 2nd day pick.

– QB Levi Lewis (5-10, 184) ULL from Scotlandville Magnet
could play QB, WR, or RB, termed as an “athlete” who also will see special teams opportunities. Career: 9,203 passing yards, 74 TD’s (school record) with 18 interceptions. Could be a late 3rd day or UDFA. Canadian football may be an option to continue as QB.

– QB Cole Kelley (6-7, 260) Southeastern from Teurlings Catholic
5,124 yards, 44 TD’s, 10 picks to cap career that included 10,095 yards, 85 scoring passes, 25 interceptions, completing 69%. Mobile enough to run when needed, 5th round

– PK Cade York, LSU
96.9% on XP, 81.3% on FGs, distance up to 57 yards in games, 15-of-21 FG’s in ’21 ith 5 going beyond 50 yards. 3rd day pick.

– PK Joseph Bulovas, Mandeville High School, Alabama and Vandy
undrafted but worth a camp look

– P Ryan Wright, Tulane
47.7 yards per boot with good height and hangtime, undrafted

– CB Ferlando Jordan (6-0, 180) Southeastern
twice FCS All American, ball hawk with 11 interceptions could follow in program’s footsteps at CB (Harlan Miller, 6th round 2015 Cardinals; Robert Alford 2nd round 2012 Atlanta; Donald Dykes, 3rd round 1979 Jets). Jordan has 4th round potential.

– SS Cameron Lewis (6-1, 195) LSU from Wossman High School
9 starts in 2021 producing 54 tackles, 1.5 sacks. 7th round or free agent.

– WR Dai’Jean Dixon (6-4, 200, 4.5) Edna Karr High School from Nicholls
236 catches, 3,802 yards 35 touchdowns, good for 2nd all time in Southland Conference and tops all time in school history. Had 14 grabs for 198 yards vs. ULL, 4th round

– WR Marquis McClain (6-3, 218) Southern U. (2021) 28 grabs, 400 yards, 1 TD., standout in HBCU Legacy game with 7 catches for 84 yards. 3rd day or free agent

– WR Dee Anderson (6-6, 228) LSU, Alabama A&M
24 college games, 735 snaps, 33 catches for 493 yards and 12 TD’s this past season. Soft hands, good length, undrafted

– WR Slade Bolden (5-11, 194) Alabama from West Monroe High School
2 years of eligibility remain, had (2021) 42 catches, 408 yards, 3 scores at Alabama in slot, 37 games. Intermediate route runner. Good punt returner. 5th or 6th round.

-WR Austin Mitchell (5-9, 170) Southeastern from Plaquemine High School
walked on with Lions, in 2021, he managed 78 catches, 1,184 yards, 16 TD’s. Uncle was NFL star Brian Mitchell. Career in Hammond, 180 catches, 2, 786 yards, 22 scores. 3rd day pick.

-WR Keytoan Thompson (6-4, 225) Landry Walker High School, Mississippi State and Virginia
Won state basketball and football titles in high school. Was 2016 Louisiana state Gatorade Player of Year. Began career in Starkville where he started at QB, transfered to Virginia where he moved to receiver. Had breakout 2021 with 78 catches, 990 yards, 2 TD’s including 11 grabs for 126 yards vs. ACC champion Pittsburgh. 3rd day pick.

– WR Michael Young (5-10, 195) Notre Dame and Cincinnati out of Destrehan High
74 catches for 401 yards, 7 TD’s, undrafted

-WR C.J. Turner (6-2, 180, 4.5) Southeastern from East St. John High School
super route runner, career at SLU 185- 2383 yards, 19 TD’s, undrafted.

-WR Jay Griffin (5-10, 170) Northwestern State
21.01 200 meters was Mountain West champ prior to arrival at NSU, free agent.

– WR Jontre Kirklin (5-11, 186) LSU, Lutcher High School
was Tigers’ QB in bowl game, special teams will be his calling card. Had 20 catches for 313 yards and 3 scores while at LSU. Undrafted

– RB Tyrion Davis-Price (6-1, 232, 4.55)
in 2021 had 1,003 rushing yards and 6 TD’s including school record 287 yards, 3 TD’s vs. Florida. Workhorse mentality, power runner with some wiggle. 35 games at LSU, 1,742 yards, 15 TD’s. 3rd day pick.

– RB Ladarius Skelton (6-1, 228) Southern, played QB in college, but showed he can run in HBCU Legacy game. Can play special teams, undrafted

-RB Marcus Williams, Jr. (5-10, 204, 4.44) Louisiana Tech, transfer from Appalachian State
While at Tech in ’21, 792 yards, 8 TD’s, Quick feet, compact runner, good burst 3rd day pick.

-OT Dare Rosenthal (6-7, 327, 5.15) Ferriday High School, LSU transfer to Kentucky in ’21
Ran impressive 4.88 forty at Combine. 24 college games, mostly at LT, allowed one sack, 19 pressures, 3rd day pick.

– OL Ja’Tyre Carter (6-3, 311) Southern from White Castle High School
good feet, latches onto opponent, can pass block, Senior Bowl helped stock, as well as showing in Combine. 3rd day pick.

-OT Austin Deculus (6-5, 335) LSU
waist bender, 61 games at LSU, 46 starts, most likely will kick inside to OG, plays with balance, short area blocker. One of 7 Tigers to appear at Combine. 3rd day potential.

– OL P.J. Burkhalter (6-3, 330) Nicholls from Franklinton High School
3 time All American for Colonels. Good pass, run blocker. Wide base. 3rd day.

– OG Ed Ingram (6-3, 317) LSU
very good pass blocker, good punch, handles twists in line, 34 starts for Tigers, 45 games played. 5th round.

– OG Chasen Hines (6-3, 350, 5.2)
LSU power blocker. quick setting up, active hands, sinks hips. 16 starts. 3rd day pick.

– OG Malik Clark (6-4, 323) Kansas from Warren Easton High School
has played OT/OG, undrafted.

– OG/OC Corey Dublin (6-4, 300) Tulane from Jesuit
60 starts at Tulane for school record, toughness, uncle and grandfather both played pro football, undrafted.

– OC Liam Shanahan (6-5, 304) LSU
Harvard transfer started 2 years for Tigers, solid pass blocker. 3rd day potential.

-OL Rendon Miles- Character (6-3, 290) Southeastern from St. Aug
1st team all Southland. Good feet and technique. Undrafted.

– OG Ethan McMullen (6-3, 290) Southeastern, transfer from North Alabama
could play center, All-SLC, Very smart. undrafted.

– LB Chinedu Ogbonna (6-2, 240) Southeastern, transfer from UMass
(2021) 24 stops, 1 interception. Played 36 games at UMass. undrafted.

– WR Tim Wilson (6-4, 230) Southeastern
(2021) 15 catches, 147 yards, 2 TD’s. Transfer from San Diego State. Could be TE convert, free agent.

-WR Brendon Dingle (5-10, 180) Southeastern
37 catches for 445 yards and TD, this year. UMass transfer (36 games) also played at UTSA. undrafted.

– DE Andre Anthony (6-3, 255) LSU from Edna Karr
injuries hurt career, 5.5 sacks, 5.5 TFL. Good pass rusher. Undrafted.

– DE Chauncey Manac (6-3, 252, 4.7) ULL
pressure off edge, 19 career sacks, 10.5 of those in 2021 including 4 sacks against Liberty and QB Malik Willis. 3rd day pick.

– DE Jo Jo Dorceus (6-0 265) Tulane, transfer from Memphis
37 stops, 4.5 sacks last season. Uses hands well. Undrafted.

– DE Chris Turner (6-3, 268) Vanderbilt from Hammond High School
. District MVP senior year at Hammond, college career 4.5 sacks, undrafted

– DT Glen Logan (6-3, 340) LSU from Destrehan High
42 games at LSU with 109 tackles, 7 sacks, 10.5 TFL. 3rd day potential.

– DT Tayland Humphrey (6-5, 333) ULL
plugged middle, 78 tackles for Cajuns. Must keep weight in check. 3rd day pick.

– SS Percy Butler (5-11, 190, 4.52) ULL from Plaquemine High School
Very tough. 35 games for Cajuns. Big hitter, special teams. Undrafted.

-OL Ivory “Tank” Scott (6-3, 345) Arkansas State from Bonnabel High School
3 year starter for Red Wolves, twice All Sun Belt. Power run blocker, huge Saints fan. free agent.

– TE Nolan Given (6-3, 260) Southeastern, Ball State and San Diego State
one season in Hammond was success as All-SLC and Louisiana Newcomer of the Year with 56 catches, 572 yards, 6 TD’s. Began career at Ball State (3 years, 36 games) where he had 51 catches, 352 yards, 6 TDs. Undrafted.

– LB Alex Ramos (6-2, 230) Southeastern
paced Lions’ defense 3 consecutive seasons, three-time All Conference, 238 career stops with 24 TFL, 9.5 sacks. special teams. Undrafted.

As usual, NFL training camps will be littered with guys who haveLouisiana football ties this offseason.