Drafted
Another NFL draft is in the books and in the most recent one, South Jersey products had a major impact.
Six players from the seven-county South Jersey area were drafted, with one first rounder, one second, one fourth, one sixth and two in the seventh. In addition, there were three players from the area who signed as undrafted free agents.
This may not be the entire list, but the one we have come up with at this point.
Leading the way was the Eagles first round selection of Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell.
Campbell played his first three high school seasons at Timber Creek before transferring to Florida’s IMG Academy for his senior year.
He was the second to last pick in the first round, 31st overall. Campbell likely would have been drafted higher, but there were apparently concerns from NFL teams about shoulder and knee injuries.
The Eagles, among the best teams when it comes to the draft, apparently are convinced that Campbell will be a significant contributor.
Campbell was a first-team All-SEC choice at Alabama, with 117 tackles, including 11.5 tackles for loss an five sacks.
Williamstown High graduate Donovan Ezeiruaku, a defensive end from Boston College, was drafted in the second round by the Dallas Cowboys.
Ezeiruaku was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year after recording 16.5 sacks, which was second nationally. He led the nation in sacks per game (1.38).
Paulsboro graduate Bhayshul Tuten, a running back from Virginia Tech, was the second player selected in the fourth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars, 104th overall.
Tuten began his career at North Carolina A&T, where as a sophomore he rushed for 1,363 yards and 13 touchdowns.
He spent his final two seasons at Virginia Tech, where this past season he rushed for 1,159 yards (6.3 avg.) and 15 touchdowns, earning second-team All-ACC honors.
Tuten should add a speed dimension to the Jaguars backfield after being clocked at 4.32 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. That was the best time among all running backs at the combine.
Another South Jersey product selected was Kyle McCord. While he attended Philadelphia’s St. Joseph Prep in high school, McCord grew up in Mount Laurel.
He spent his first three seasons at Ohio State before completing 66.5% of his passes for 4,779 yards, 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this past season at Syracuse. He is considered a developmental pick by the Eagles.
The final two South Jersey products drafted also played for Syracuse. Both running back LeQuint Allen (Millville) and defensive lineman Fadil Diggs (Camden Eastside), were drafted in the seventh round by Jacksonville and New Orleans respectively.
That means that Allen and Tuten will both be looking to make their mark with the Jaguars. This past season Allen rushed for 1,021 yards (4.5 avg.) and 16 touchdowns. He spent three seasons in college and is just 20-years old.
Diggs, who began his career at Texas A&M, led Syracuse in tackles for loss (14) and sacks this past season.
Three undrafted free agents from South Jersey are Syracuse safety Alijah Clark from Camden, who signed with Dallas; Cam Horsley, a Boston College defensive tackle from Cinnaminson, inked a deal with Tennessee and Rutgers linebacker Tyreem Powell of Vineland signed with the New Orleans Saints.
NFL players from South Jersey
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Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama, Timber Creek, Eagles, R-1 (31)
Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College, Williamstown, Dallas R-2 (44)
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech, Paulsboro, Jacksonville R-4 (104)
Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse, St. Joseph Prep (Mount Laurel resident), Eagles R-6 (181)
LeQuint Allen, RB, Syracuse, Millville, Jacksonville R-7 (236)
Fadil Diggs, DL, Syracuse, Camden Eastside, New Orleans R-7 (254)
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Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama, Timber Creek, Eagles, R-1 (31)
Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College, Williamstown, Dallas R-2 (44)
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech, Paulsboro, Jacksonville R-4 (104)
Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse, St. Joseph Prep (Mount Laurel resident), Eagles R-6 (181)
LeQuint Allen, RB, Syracuse, Millville, Jacksonville R-7 (236)
Fadil Diggs, DL, Syracuse, Camden Eastside, New Orleans R-7 (254)
Undrafted free agents
Alijah Clark, S, Syracuse, Camden, Dallas
Cam Horsley, DT, Boston College, Cinnaminson, Tennessee
Tyreem Powell, LB, Rutgers, Vineland, New Orleans
Alijah Clark, S, Syracuse, Camden, Dallas
Cam Horsley, DT, Boston College, Cinnaminson, Tennessee
Tyreem Powell, LB, Rutgers, Vineland, New Orleans
Photo: College Draft Annoucements / Courtesy Twitter
Author: Marc Narducci
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