Louisiana Connections To 2020 NFL Draft (Sixth & Seventh Round Recap)

by Jace LeJeune

As Louisiana fans cheer on their high school and teams, it is now time to acknowledge the players that have represented the Bayou state. Whether these players below are from Louisiana or decided to become one of the state’s own by signing with a Louisiana team, these players are next in line to represent Louisiana in the NFL. These players have worked hard all their lives, and now their hard work has paid off as their names have been called to be a part of the National Football League.

To check out our first round NFL Draft recap, click the link here: https://www.lafootballmagazine.com/news/c48-recruiting/louisiana-connections-to-2020-nfl-draft-first-round-edition/

To check out our second and third round NFL Draft recap, click the link here: https://www.lafootballmagazine.com/news/c48-recruiting/louisiana-connections-to-2020-nfl-draft-second-third-round-recap/

To check out our fourth and fifth round NFL Draft recap, click the link here: https://www.lafootballmagazine.com/news/c48-recruiting/louisiana-connections-to-2020-nfl-draft-fourth-fifth-round-recap/

Sixth Round: (Louisiana Natives or Louisiana Football Players Only)

185th Pick: LS Blake Ferguson

Former LSU LS Blake Ferguson was drafted by the Miami Dolphins with the 185th pick in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. (Photo courtesy of LSU Athletics)

Selected By: Miami Dolphins

Louisiana Connection: Played Football At LSU From 2015-2019

Journey To NFL: Following his older brother Reid Ferguson (Buffalo Bills) from Buford High School in Buford, Georgia, Blake Ferguson was next in line to be the starting LSU long snapper. The younger Ferguson more than filled in those shoes as over the next four years, he commanded that position. Not only was Ferguson a stable on the field playing in 52 games, but he was more than that in the classroom as he was a four-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll. The two time LSU team captain was drafted by the Miami Dolphins with the 185th pick in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft after getting his Master's degree in business administration.

Seventh Round (Louisiana Natives or Louisiana Football Players Only):

Former Tulane CB Thakarius Keyes was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 237th pick in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft. (Photo courtesy of Tulane Athletics)

237th Pick: CB Thakarius Keyes

Selected By: Kansas City Chiefs

Louisiana Connection: Played Football At Tulane From 2016-2019

Journey To NFL: From Laurel High School in Laurel, Mississippi, Thakarius Keyes signed with Tulane. Keyes broke out as both a junior and senior where he allowed a 45% completion percentage against opposing quarterbacks along with 85 tackles, 18 passes defended, and two interceptions. Keyes' coverage skills impressed the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs enough to select him with the 237th pick in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

245th Pick: RB Raymond Calais

Former Cecilia High School and UL RB Raymond Calais was drafted by the 254th pick in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft. (Property of LAFM)

Selected By: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Louisiana Connection: Played High School Football At Cecilia and Played Football At UL From 2016-2019

Journey To NFL: After coming off an incredible high school career where he was the all-time leading rusher at Cecilia High School with over 5,000 yards, Raymond Calais chose to continue his football career with the UL Ragin' Cajuns over the ULM Warhawks. The former Louisiana Football Magazine Class 4A Offensive Player of the Year continued to have a great career for the Ragin' Cajuns by rushing for 1,845 yards and 15 touchdowns while making 15 receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown. The most impressive part about his statistics was that he had to share the ball with fellow Louisiana running backs Elijah Mitchell (Erath) and Trey Ragas (Archbishop Shaw). Calais' track speed and playmaking ability intrigued the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 245th pick in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Former Donaldsonville and LSU TE Stephen Sullivan was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks with the 251st pick in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft. (Photo courtesy of LSU Athletics)

251st Pick: TE Stephen Sullivan

Selected By: Seattle Seahawks

Louisiana Connection: Played High School Football At Donaldsonville High School and Played At LSU From 2016-2019

Journey To NFL: Stephen Sullivan is one of the best kept secrets in the 2020 NFL Draft. Coming out of Donaldsonville High School where he was an All-State selection and a four star recruit, Sullivan chose to sign with the LSU Tigers over TCU and Mississippi State. At 6-5, 240 pounds with 4.6/40 speed, Sullivan was one of the most talented athletes on LSU's offense. The problem was the depth of LSU's offense, which included the likes of Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, Thaddeus Moss, and others that limited Sullivan's catches and touches during his career. Over his LSU career, Sullivan had only 46 receptions for 712 yards and three touchdowns, but the LSU National Champion's incredible athletic ability was more than enough for the Seattle Seahawks to pass up with the 251st pick in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Hey football fans. Like our recruiting interviews, stories, and other content on our website? Click on our website daily to view articles on recruits, coaches, and so much more at our website: https://www.lafootballmagazine.com/. Also, we have exciting news that for the third straight year, we will have our North and South LA issues and both are now out! Both issues will continue to cover all the Louisiana s as well as all the high schools in state, but there will be 16 pages that will focus on North Louisiana as well as South Louisiana. For more information, please check the following link to where you can find the magazine in a store near you. Also, below are the two covers as well as where you can order both magazines on our website.

Store Link: https://www.lafootballmagazine.com/news/2019-louisiana-football-magazine-north-and-south-editions-now-available-in-stores-near-you/

North Cover South Cover

North Online Order Link: https://www.lafootballmagazine.com/product/la-football-magazine-2019-annual-preview-north-edition/

South Online Order Link: https://www.lafootballmagazine.com/product/la-football-magazine-2019-annual-preview-south-edition/