Louisiana Connections To 2021 NFL Draft (First Round Edition)

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.

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

5th Pick: WR Ja'Marr Chase

The Cincinnati Bengals selected LSU WR Ja'Marr Chase with the 5th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. (Property of LAFM)

Selected By: Cincinnati Bengals

Louisiana Connection: Played High School Football At Archbishop Rummel High School and Played at LSU From 2018-2020

Journey To NFL: Reunited and it feels so good. That is what both Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase are saying after Chase was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals to rejoin his former quarterback at LSU. After a nice freshman season at LSU in 2018, 2019 proved to be a dominant sophomore season for Chase as he helped the Tigers win a national championship. Burrow and Chase connected 84 times for 1,780 yards and 21 touchdowns in that historic season for the Bayou Bengals. It was also a great award season for the All-American receiver as Chase was also named the Biletnikoff Award winner for best receiver in football. A season later, Chase decided to opt out his junior season to prepare for the NFL Draft. The decision turned out to not affect Chase's draft stock as he still ended up being the first wide receiver taken and fifth overall player to be drafted. Chase was always destined to be the next great receiver to come out of Louisiana since he came out of Archbishop Rummel High School. Along with being on the front cover of Louisiana Football Magazine his senior season, Chase was a great prep standout with 115 receptions for 2,152 yards and 30 touchdowns over his career. Louisiana Football Magazine's recruiting guru Lee Brecheen was also high on Chase being that special talent.

“JaMarr Chase is the most polished receiver in Louisiana,” Brecheen said before Chase's high school senior season. “He can block, catch, run past people, and is a tough player. I love his demeanor to the game and gives it all out. He is a high energy player that you want in your offense.”

That is the player the Bengals will certainly be getting. Going back in the archives, click the link below to check out my recruit interview with Chase when he committed to Florida at the time.

Interview Link: https://www.lafootballmagazine.com/recruit-spotlight-wr-jamarr-chase-archbishop-rummel-high-school-class-of-2018/

Also, below, is when Chase visited our T.V. Show when Chase was a senior at Archbishop Rummel.

Ja'Marr Chase On Louisiana Football T.V. Magazine YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92BwI5QMzm8&list=PLG9AVdOPrXH43KmZ5M63_2pa4pOuq77-f&index=10

10th Pick: WR DeVonta Smith

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Alabama WR DeVonta Smith with the 10th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. (Photo provided by DeVonta Smith)

Selected By: Philadelphia Eagles

Louisiana Connection: Played High School Football At Amite High School

Journey To NFL: This is a year to remember when it comes down to receivers going to the draft that have started their incredible careers in Louisiana. Although Ja'Marr Chase was the higher of the two picked in the draft, DeVonta Smith has something that Ja'Marr does not have, and that is a Heisman Trophy. The former Amite High School wide receiver has had a dominant career ever since he caught the National Championship winning touchdown catch in overtime against Georgia back when he was a sophomore. Ever since, "The Slim Reaper" has dominated the competition. After a breakout junior season, Smith had a year for the ages in 2020. Just like when Chase dominated and led the Tigers to a national championship his junior season, Smith did the exact same thing with his quarterback Mac Jones not only being an All-American, but also winning the coveted Heisman Trophy. Smith became the first receiver to win the Heisman since Desmond Howard won it back in 1991 with the Michigan Wolverines. The Amite product also was the first Louisiana born native to win the Heisman Trophy since John David Crow won the award playing for the Texas A&M Aggies. After two national championships, several school records, and numerous awards, Smith was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the tenth overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft where he will be reunited with another former quarterback at Alabama in Jalen Hurts.

25th Pick: RB Travis Etienne

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Clemson RB Travis Etienne with the 25th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. (Property of LAFM)

Selected By: Jacksonville Jaguars

Louisiana Connection: Played High School Football At Jennings High School

Journey To NFL: Coming out of Jennings High School, Travis Etienne was one of the most successful high school football running backs to ever come out of Louisiana after rushing for an incredible 8,864 yards and 115 total touchdowns. That production continued when he signed with the Clemson Tigers. The four year starter had himself an incredible career at Clemson as well. In fact, the 2018 National Championship running back broke plenty of ACC records including all-time career rushing yards (4,952 yards), career rushing touchdowns (70), career total touchdowns (78), points scored (468), total yards from scrimmage (6,107 yards), and finally, is the NCAA record holder for most games with a touchdown scored (46 games). The two time All-American and two time ACC offensive player of the year will rejoin his quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the backfield for the Jacksonville Jaguars as he was the second running back taken and 25th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Ever since seeing Etienne run for the first time as a freshman, Brecheen has always been impressed with Etienne's running style.

"Travis Etienne will be just as good as Clyde Edwards-Helaire from Catholic High (B.R.) in ," Brecheen said before Etienne's senior season. "Travis is more of a guy who can cut but also has a lot of power. He is the real deal because he is a very smart runner and has great vision."

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 fourth 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. Along with our print editions of both magazine issues, our digital magazine editions will also be available to pre-order. Just like with our print versions, our digital editions will be available to you when both magazines are available.

For more information, please check the following link to where you can either order our print or digital version of the magazine of your choice. Also, below are the two covers as well as where you can order both magazines on our website.

Buy Print/Digital Magazine Here: https://www.lafootballmagazine.com/magazine/

North Cover South Cover

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 fourth 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. Along with our print editions of both magazine issues, our digital magazine editions will also be available to pre-order. Just like with our print versions, our digital editions will be available to you when both magazines are available.

For more information, please check the following link to where you can either order our print or digital version of the magazine of your choice. Also, below are the two covers as well as where you can order both magazines on our website.

Buy Print/Digital Magazine Here: https://www.lafootballmagazine.com/magazine/

North Cover South Cover

Jace is from Addis, LA but resides in Port Allen, LA. Jace has graduated recently from Southeastern Louisiana University with a major in Communications. Jace has also broadcasted games as a play by play announcer for Southeastern’s football and basketball games on ESPN Plus. Also, Jace has anchored and reported on Southeastern’s award winning show “The Big Game.” This is Jace’s fifth year as Associate Editor at Louisiana Football Magazine. He is also a graduate from Catholic High School in baton-rouge where he was the editor of the school newspaper the “Bearly Published.” While at CHS, Jace also announced their football, basketball, and baseball games for the Bruin Broadcast Network which is the Catholic High’s streaming website for their events. On weekends, Jace is the PA announcer for his middle school football games. At home, Jace enjoys time with his family and friends. Besides being a huge football fan, Jace is also an avid NHRA drag racing fan.