Louisiana Connections To 2021 NFL Draft (Second & Third 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/

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

44th Pick: CB Kelvin Joseph

Selected By: Dallas Cowboys

Louisiana Connection: Played High School Football At Scotlandville Magnet High School and at LSU in 2018

The Dallas Cowboys selected Kentucky cornerback Kelvin Joseph with the 44th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. (Property of LAFM)

Journey To NFL: As a baton-rouge native, Kelvin Joseph decided to stay in his hometown by originally signing with the LSU Tigers coming out of Scotlandville Magnet High School. Joseph was one of the biggest recruits coming out of high school in Louisiana. Over his prep career, Joseph was a playmaker scoring 13 touchdowns whether by interceptions, kickoff or punt returns. The Army All-American chose the Tigers over the likes of Alabama, Florida State, Auburn, and Florida. After one season at LSU, Joseph entered the transfer portal after being suspended from playing in LSU's bowl game. Joseph did stay in the SEC, but this time, transferred to play at Kentucky. After sitting out due to transfer rules, Joseph showed what he was always capable of this past season when he led the SEC with four interceptions. With only one game left to go in the regular season, Joseph decided to opt out in order to get prepared for the NFL Draft. In speaking of the NFL Draft, Joseph was taken by the Dallas Cowboys with the 12th pick of the second round. Louisiana Football Magazine's recruiting guru Lee Brecheen was always very high on Kelvin Joseph ever since coming out of high school.

"I ranked him number one player in the state," Brecheen sad. "He gets the game better than most recruits I have watched in 25 years. He reads like he is in the NFL and hits like some of the best I have ever seen. He reminds me of a faster version of Landon Collins (Dutchtown/Alabama/New York Giants)."

The Carolina Panthers selected LSU WR Terrace Marshall Jr. with the 59th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft (Property of LAFM)

59th Pick: WR Terrace Marshall Jr.

Selected By: Carolina Panthers

Louisiana Connection: Played High School Football At Parkway High School and at LSU from 2018-2020

Journey To NFL: Football talent runs in the family for Terrace Marshall Jr. The nephew of the late, great Joe Delaney (Northwestern State/Kansas City Chiefs) was a five star recruit coming from Parkway High School in Bossier City, Louisiana thanks to a huge high school junior season in which he had 55 catches for 1,250 yards and 15 touchdowns. Despite suffering a season ending injury his senior season, the former Louisiana Football Magazine cover player still received Under Armour All-American honors and then committed to play for the LSU Tigers. After his freshman season in 2018, Marshall Jr. was one of Joe Burrow's three top targets as a sophomore along with Justin Jefferson and JaMarr Chase that helped lead the Tigers to a National Championship. For his junior season, Marshall Jr. was the top target in the LSU offense with 731 receiving yards and ten touchdowns in only seven games played. He then declared for the NFL Draft and opted out the rest of last season. Now, Marshall Jr. reunites with Joe Brady as he was selected with the 59th pick of the NFL Draft. Louisiana Football Magazine's recruiting guru Lee Brecheen compared Marshall's game to another big receiver that played at LSU.

"I have seen one 6-3 wide receiver come through the high school ranks as advanced as Terrace Marshall Jr. and his name was Michael Clayton (Christian Life High School/LSU)," Brecheen said.

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

73rd Pick: DT Milton Williams

Selected By: Philadelphia Eagles

Louisiana Connection: Played At Louisiana Tech from 2017-2020

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Louisiana Tech DT Milton Williams with the 73rd pick of the 2021 NFL Draft (Photo courtesy of Louisiana Tech)

Journey To NFL: As a prep defensive lineman from Crowley High School in Crowley, Texas, Milton Williams committed to Louisiana Tech. After redshirting as a freshman, Williams became a starter over the next two seasons where he finished with 108 tackles and 10.5 sacks. This past season, the 1st Team All-Conference USA selection announced that he was going to opt out his senior season and enter the NFL Draft. Now, he was most recently drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with one of the earliest picks in the third round of the 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 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.