Talent from New Orleans area dots NFL training camp rosters

Typically, the metro New Orleans area produces as many as 40 or more players on NFL rosters in training camps. This year, the COVID-19 virus has taken a bite out of the sports world.

The NFL decided to shrink their rosters to 80 players, 10 less than normal. That will translate to a somewhat lean year by comparison for locals as a result.

Right now, 96 players on current NFL rosters call Louisiana home, and 34 of those hail from the Crescent City area. There are two or three players who were recently released who should find another NFL soon, which will bump these numbers up slightly.

Here are the players from the metro area on rosters:

Falcons, Jalen McCleskey, WR, St. Paul’s
Falcons, Debo Jones, LB, Jesuit
Panthers, Donte Jackson, CB, Riverdale
Packers, Gerald Willis, DT, Edna Karr
Rams, Kenny Young, LB, John Curtis
Vikings, Justin Jefferson, WR, Destrehan
Vikings, Irv Smith, Jr. TE, Brother Martin
Saints, Will Clapp, OG, Brother Martin
Eagles, Duke Riley, LB, John Curtis
Seahawks, D.J. Fluker, OG, (attended McDonogh 35 prior to Katrina)
Buccaneers, Cyril Grayson, WR, Rummel
Buccaneers, Michael Divinity, LB, John Ehret
Washington, Jeremy Vugnovich, OG, Belle Chasse
Washington, Cornelius Lucas, OT, Edna Karr
Bills, Duke Willaims, WR, East St. John
Bengals, Stanley Morgan, WR, St. Aug.
Bengals, Cethan Carter, TE, Rummel
Browns, Odell Beckham, WR, Newman
Browns, Jarvis Landry, WR, Lutcher
Jaquars, Nate Evans, LB, John Curtis
Jaguars, Leonard Fournette, RB, St. Aug.
Jaguars, Charles Jones, RE, St. Aug
Jaguars, Parry Nickerson, CB, West Jefferson
Chiefs, Tyrann Mathieu, DB, St. Aug.
Chiefs, Darrel Williams, RB, John Ehret
Chiefs, Kalija Lipscomb, WR, Jesuit
Raiders, Foster Moreau, TE, Jesuit
Chargers, Trai Turner, OG, St. Aug.
Chargers, Tyron Johnson, WR, Warren Easton
Dolphins, Kirk Merritt, WR, Destrehan
Patriots, DeJon Harris, LB, John Ehret
Jets, Shyheim Carter, CB, Kentwood
Jets, Arthur Maulet, CB, Bonnabel
Titans, Kristian Fulton, CB, Rummel

Leading the pack from a high school product count, St. Augustine has five players on NFL rosters to elad the way. Jesuit, Rummel, Curtis and John Ehret each have three representatives. Edna Karr, Brother Martin and Destrehan contribute two each.

St. Paul’s, Riverdale, McDonogh 35, Belle Chasse, East St. John, Newman, Lutcher, West Jeff, Warren Easton, Kentwood and Bonnabel all have one player in the League.

Current NFL teams with the most Louisiana and New Orleans representation:

Washington, 8 from Louisiana, 4 from NOLA
Jaguars, 7 from state, 4 from NOLA
Chiefs, 7 from state, 2 from NOLA
Browns, 6 from state, 2 from NOLA
Buccaneers, 6 from state, 2 from NOLA
Bengals, 4 from state, 2 from NOLA
Chargers, 4 in state, 2 from NOLA
Falcons, 4 from state, 2 from NOLA

The all-time tally looks like this. St. Augustine has produced 48 alums who have gone onto the NSL. The Purple Knights are among the best schools in the country in that category.

St. Augustine, 48
Archbishop Shaw, 21
John Curtis, 20
Jesuit, 14
John Ehret, 13
O.P. Walker, 11
Destrehan, 11
Rummel, 10
West Jeff, 10
Carver, 10
Holy Cross, 9
Brother Martin, 9
East Jeff, 9
Edna Karr, 8
McDonogh 35, 8
Covington, 8
East St. John, 7
Clark, 6
De La Salle, 6
Warren Easton, 6
Lutcher, 6
Fortier, 6
Hahnville, 6
Slidell, 5
Newman, 4