Louisiana Connections To 2021 NFL Draft (Fourth-Seventh 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.

To check out our first round NFL Draft recap, click the link here: https://www.lafootballmagazine.com/louisiana-connections-to-2021-nfl-draft-first-round-edition/

To check out our second and third round NFL Draft recap, click the link here: https://www.lafootballmagazine.com/louisiana-connections-to-2021-nfl-draft-second-third-round-edition/

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

111th Pick: DE Cameron Sample

Selected By: Cincinnati Bengals

Louisiana Connection: Played At Tulane From 2017-2020

The Cincinnati Bengals selected Tulane DE Cameron Sample with the 111th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. (Photo courtesy of Tulane Athletics)

Journey To NFL: After originally committing to Georgia State, Cameron Sample decided to de-commit and sign with the Tulane Green Wave. After some success playing over his first three seasons, the Shiloh High School (Georgia) product had himself an incredible senior season earning 1st Team All-AAC honors with 52 tackles and six sacks. His productive senior season drew the attention of not only the Reese's Senior Bowl as he was invited to play in the senior showcase, but also the Cincinnati Bengals, which chose Sample with the 111th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.

115th Pick: LB Jabril Cox

Selected By: Dallas Cowboys

Louisiana Connection: Played For LSU in 2020

The Dallas Cowboys selected LSU LB Jabril Cox with the 115th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. (Photo courtesy of LSU Athletics)

Journey To NFL: Before transferring to LSU, Jabril Cox was one of the best players in all of FCS football playing for the powerhouse North Dakota State Bison. During his three seasons in Fargo, North Dakota, Cox was a two time FCS All-American, a three time National Champion, and the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Then, as a graduate transfer, Cox did take his talent down way south to baton-rouge, Louisiana where he had 58 tackles along with 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one fumble recovery and eight passes defended with one interception. At the conclusion of his only season playing for the Tigers, Cox decided to enter the NFL Draft where he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.

122nd Pick: DT Tyler Shelvin

The Cincinnati Bengals selected LSU DT Tyler Shelvin with the 122nd pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. (Property of LAFM)

Selected By: Cincinnati Bengals

Louisiana Connection: Played High School Football at Northside High School & Notre Dame High School and played at LSU from 2017-2019

Journey To NFL: The Cincinnati Bengals are trying to recreate the magic of the LSU 2019 National Championship as over the last two seasons, the franchise has already drafted Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and now, Tyler Shelvin. The former Louisiana Football Magazine cover player started his high school football career at Northside High School before transferring to Notre Dame High School. The former number one recruit in Louisiana chose the Tigers over the likes of Alabama and Nebraska. After a couple of setbacks for Shelvin, he finally showed what he was capable of during his redshirt sophomore season in 2019. While leading the Tigers to a national championship, he also had 39 tackles and three tackles for loss. This past season, Shelvin decided to opt out the 2020 season and put his focus on the NFL Draft. Louisiana Football Magazine's recruiting guru Lee Brecheen thought that Shelvin was very special in terms of his athletic ability for his size when coming out of high school.

"Two names popped into mind when seeing Tyler Shelvin play, and they are Glenn Dorsey (East Ascension/LSU/Kansas City Chiefs/San Francisco 49ers) and Rashard Lawrence (Neville/LSU/Arizona Cardinals)," Brecheen said. "Players that are 6-2, 340 pounds who have great feet and a high motor do not grow on trees."

130th Pick: CB Robert Rochell

The Los Angeles Rams selected Central Arkansas CB Robert Rochell with the 130th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. (Photo courtesy of Central Arkansas Athletics)

Selected By: Los Angeles Rams

Louisiana Connection: Played High School Football at Fair Park High School

Journey To NFL: Robert Rochell played a little bit of everything at Fair Park High School including at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, free safety, cornerback, and outside linebacker. Then, Rochell would sign with Central Arkansas where he would later become a 1st Team All-Southland Conference cornerback in 2019 with 44 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery with five interceptions and 13 passes broken up. Although Rochell only played a limited schedule due to a COVID-19 schedule, his performances in those games helped him receive a Reese's Senior Bowl invite as well as get him drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

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

170th Pick: LB Garret Wallow

The Houston Texans selected TCU LB Garret Wallow with the 170th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. (Property of LAFM)

Selected By: Houston Texans

Louisiana Connection: Played High School Football At John Curtis High School

Journey To NFL: Originally a safety at John Curtis High School, Garret Wallow made the adjustment to playing linebacker at TCU. In fact, he made the move effortlessly as a two time 1st Team All-Big 12 selection for the Horned Frogs. Over his productive career, Wallow had had 295 total tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, one interception, five pass deflections, and three forced fumbles. After four years at TCU, Wallow was drafted by the Houston Texans with the 170th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. Louisiana Football Magazine's recruiting guru Lee Brecheen put Wallow on the cover when he was a senior at John Curtis High School because of his ability as a safety at the time.

“Garret Wallow is the closest player that I’ve seen to Craig Steltz (Archbishop Rummel and LSU) in a long time,” Brecheen said. ” He is big, tough, and is a big-time safety.”

Going back in the archives, click the link below to check out my recruit interview during Wallow's senior season.

Interview Link: https://www.lafootballmagazine.com/recruiting-spotlight-ss-garret-wallow-john-curtis-christian-high-school/

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

194th Pick: RB Elijah Mitchell

The San Francisco 49ers selected ULL RB Elijah Mitchell with the 194th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. (Property of LAFM)

Selected By: San Francisco 49ers

Louisiana Connection: Played High School Football At Erath High School and played at Louisiana-Lafayette from 2017-2020

Journey To NFL: Elijah Mitchell started his journey back at Erath High School where he was the program's all time leading rusher with 4,045 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns. The former Louisiana Football Magazine Class 3A Offensive Player of the Year helped the ULL Ragin' Cajuns turn into a Sun Belt Conference contender as for over a four year career, the three time All-Sun Belt Conference selection finished his career ranked fifth in rushing touchdowns (41) and sixth in career rushing yards (3,267). Now, the former two star recruit has made it all the way to the NFL ranks after being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Louisiana Football Magazine's recruiting guru Lee Brecheen loved the way Mitchell ran when he was the bellcow back for the Bobcats in high school.

“Elijah Mitchell plays for a small school in Lafayette, but he is a running back that you can’t overlook,” Brecheen said. “He’s got that 3^rd gear at 6’0 over 200 pounds. Mitchell can run a 4.5/ 40 and you will probably see him at running back in the future at the University of Louisiana Lafayette where he has committed to play football.”

Going back in the archives, click the link below to check out my recruit interview during Mitchell's senior season.

Interview Link: https://www.lafootballmagazine.com/3a-co-offensive-player-of-the-year-rb-elijah-mitchell-erath-high-school/

201st Pick: CB Rodarius Williams

Selected By: New York Giants

Louisiana Connection: Played High School Football At Calvary Baptist Academy

The New York Giants selected Oklahoma State CB Rodarius Williams with the 201st pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. (Photo courtesy of Oklahoma State Athletics)

Journey To NFL: Rodarius Williams has grown up around the game of football as his younger brother is Greedy Williams, who also has played cornerback and currently is with the Cleveland Browns. Like his younger brother, Rodarius was a star for the Calvary Baptist Academy Cavaliers. After graduating from high school, it did not take long for the older Williams brother to find his niche at Oklahoma State. As a four year starter, Rodarius set an Oklahoma State football record with 48 consecutive starts and was one of the nation's leaders in passes defended with 31 over his career. The 2nd Team All-Big 12 selection was drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the New York Giants.

203rd Pick: WR Marquez Stevenson

The Buffalo Bills selected Houston WR Marquez Stevenson with the 203rd pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. (Property of LAFM)

Selected By: Buffalo Bills

Louisiana Connection: Played at Northwood High School (Shreveport)

Journey To NFL: Just two picks after Rodarius Williams was selected by the New York Giants, another Shreveport native was selected in the 2021 NFL Draft. This time, it was wide receiver Marquez Stevenson, who was drafted by the Buffalo Bills. After a great high school career at Northwood High School, Stevenson signed with the Houston Cougars. After a quiet freshman season and also tearing his ACL his sophomore season, Stevenson's big play ability began to show in year three with 75 catches for 1,019 yards and nine touchdowns. He then followed it up with 52 receptions for 907 yards and nine more touchdowns in 2019. With a decision to make, the former three star prospect decided to stay and play his senior season this past year, and it turned out to be a good decision. The two time 1st Team All-AAC receiver ended his Houston career with 147 catches for 2,269 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns.

205th Pick: WR Racey McMath

Selected By: Tennessee Titans

Louisiana Connection: Played At Edna Karr High School and played at LSU from 2017-2020

The Tennessee Titans selected LSU WR Racey McMath with the 205th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. (Photo courtesy of LSU Athletics)

Journey To NFL: Racey McMath was an unheralded member of the LSU Football 2019 National Championship team and has had an underrated career during his playing career. Although McMath only had 33 catches for 522 yards and four touchdowns in four seasons, it was also his leadership and key contributions on special teams that has also been recognized. A great combine has helped this former Edna Karr High School wide receiver get some interest from NFL teams and eventually have him get drafted in the sixth round by the Tennessee Titans.

224th Pick: S JaCoby Stevens

The Philadelphia Eagles selected LSU S JaCoby Stevens with the 224th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. (Photo courtesy of LSU Athletics)

Selected By: Philadelphia Eagles

Louisiana Connection: Played at LSU from 2017-2020

Journey To NFL: JaCoby Stevens was the heart and soul of this LSU defense for the last couple of seasons, and it was indictive as he was chosen to wear the Tigers' coveted number seven jersey. Despite signing with the Tigers as a highly recruited five star player from Oakland High School in Tennessee, it took awhile to find out what position to settle at as he rotated between wide receiver and safety. It was starting his sophomore year that Stevens made the move to safety, and that is where he stayed for the next three years. Stevens was one of the most productive players on the Tigers' 2019 National Championship team where he had his best season during his time in baton-rouge with 85 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, nine passes defended, and three interceptions. At the conclusion of this past season, Stevens entered his name in the NFL Draft where he would be drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round.

227th Pick: CB Israel Mukuamu

Selected By: Dallas Cowboys

Louisiana Connection: Played High School Football At Parkway High School

The Dallas Cowboys selected South Carolina CB Israel Mukuamu with the 227th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. (Photo courtesy of South Carolina Athletics)

Journey To NFL: For his senior season of high school, Israel Mukuamu moved from South Carolina to Louisiana where he played for Parkway High School. Then, he went back to South Carolina as he signed with the Gamecocks. Mukuamu had his career breakout game as a sophomore when he intercepted Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm three times. It was a great 2019 campaign overall as Mukuamu led the team with four interceptions and also had 59 tackles to go along with nine pass deflections. For the 6-4, 212 pound cornerback, he decided to opt out the final three games of his junior season and enter the NFL Draft after the firing of Will Muschamp. Mukuamu would later get drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.

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

234th Pick: DE Patrick Johnson

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Tulane DE Patrick Johnson with the 234th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. (Photo courtesy of Tulane Athletics)

Selected By: Philadelphia Eagles

Louisiana Connection: Played at Tulane from 2017-2020

Journey To NFL: Coming from Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Patrick Johnson signed with the Tulane Green Wave and would later become a great player for Willie Fritz. As a three time All-AAC selection, Johnson was one of the greatest defensive linemen to ever go through campus becoming the program's all time leading sack leader with 24.5 in a four year career. He was also only the third Tulane player to be named All-Conference three times. The nation's sack leader for the 2020 season was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft after the conclusion of his senior season.

The Denver Broncos selected LSU CB Kary Vincent Jr. with the 237th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. (Photo courtesy of LSU Athletics)

237th Pick: CB Kary Vincent Jr.

Selected By: Denver Broncos

Louisiana Connection: Played Football At LSU From 2017-2019

Journey To NFL: Kary Vincent Jr., who is the son of the late Kary Vincent Sr. (Texas A&M/new-orleans Saints) chose to play for the LSU Tigers coming out of high school at Port Arthur Memorial High School in Port Arthur, Texas. While at LSU, Vincent Jr. was not only a dynamic football player, but also a world class sprinter for the Tigers' track team making him one of the fastest players in football. While also being a part of LSU's 2019 National Championship team, Vincent ended his playing career after his junior season as he opted out of the COVID plagued 2020 season. The LSU two sport athlete finished his career with 87 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, 18 PBUs, and six interceptions. The second generation player would be drafted by the Denver Broncos with the 237th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.

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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.