These South Jersey athletes ready for action in new NFL season

Since Bridgeton High School Graduate Harvey Johnson was selected in the sixth round of the 1943 NFL Draft, there have been 123 South Jersey high school football players who have been drafted by the National Football League.

Some of the famous players from South Jersey includes Pittsburgh Steelers Running Back and Pro Football Hall of Famer Franco Harris ( Rancocas Valley Regional HS) along with two-time Super Bowl Champion with the San Francisco 49ers Dwight Hicks.

In the 21st Century, the South Jersey High School Graduates who excelled in the NFL includes Super Bowl Champion with the Baltimore Ravens Offensive Tackle Bryant McKinnie (Woodbury) and two-time Super Bowl Champion with the New England Patriots Defensive Back Logan Ryan.

Over 20 South Jersey High School Football Players Members Of NFL Teams in 2025

*LeQuint Allen Jr., Vineland HS
Drafted in the seventh round by the Jacksonville Jagaurs in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Running Back from Syracuse University is the second South Jersey RB drafted by the Jags (Ryquell Armstead in 2019). Allen had the ninth most Touchdowns in College Football last year (20) and was a two-time All-ACC Team selection.

*Eli Apple, Eastern Regional
After nine seasons playing in the NFL, the 10th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft will begin the 2025 NFL season on the San Francisco 49ers Practice Squad. Apple has started 82 games in his NFL career while playing for the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, and Los Angeles Chargers.

*Markquese Bell, Bridgeton HS
Signed as an Undrafted Free Agent by the Dallas Cowboys, the South Jersey star athlete played his college football at Florida A&M. Bell has played in 31 games over the last three seasons with the Cowboys, compiling 66 Solo Tackles during his time playing for Dallas.

*Jihaad Campbell, Timber Creek HS
Drafted in the first round by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Linebacker from the University of Alabama is the first LB the Eagles have drafted in the first round since 1979. Campbell had 5.5 Sacks and 88 Solo Tackles over the two years he started for the Crimson Tide in college.

*Donovan Ezeiruaku, Williamstown HS
Selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Boston College, Ezeiruaku is an Edge Rusher who is expected to be one of the players filling the void for a Dallas Cowboys Defense without Micah Parsons. The 2024 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, he had the second most sacks in College Football last season (16.5) and has the second most career sacks in Boston College Football History (30).

*Joe Flacco, Audobon HS
The Super Bowl XLVII MVP Award winner was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. The now 40 year old Quarterback has played 17 seasons in the NFL for the Ravens, Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, and now in his second stint with the Cleveland Browns.

*Mike Gesicki, Southern Regional
Drafted in the second round by the Miami Dolphins in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Tight End from Penn State University is entering his eighth NFL season. After playing five seasons in Miami, Gesicki spent one year with the New England Patriots and is entering his second season with the Cincinnati Bengals. Gesicki has 22 Touchdown catches in his NFL career.

*Cam Horsley, Cinnaminson HS
Signed as an Undrafted Free Agent by the Tennessee Titans, the Rookie Defensive Tackle from Boston College will start the 2025 NFL season on the Practice Squad.  Horsley had 20 Tackles for Loss in his four years playing College Football at Boston College.

*Austin Johnson, St. Augustine Prep
Selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, the now 31 year old Defensive Tackle is entering his tenth NFL season. After four seasons with the Titans, Johnson played two seasons each with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers. After playing the 2024 NFL season with the Buffalo Bills, Johnson has joined the Jacksonville Jaguars for the 2025 season.

*Juwan Johnson, Glassboro HS
An Undrafted Free Agent, this Wide Receiver who played his College Football at Penn State and Oregon, is entering his sixth season with the New Orleans Saints. Johnson has 18 Receiving Touchdowns in 34 Games started for the Saints over the last five seasons.

*Bo Melton, Cedar Creek HS
A seventh-round draft pick of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Wide Receiver from Rutgers University is entering his third season as a member of the Green Bay Packers. In his first two seasons, Bo Melton was a depth Receiver who compiled a total of 47 Catches and Two Touchdowns in the regular season and playoffs. For 2025, Melton has made the transition to Cornerback and is on the Packers roster as the backup Cornerback.

*Max Melton, Cedar Creek HS
Selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Rutgers University Cornerback started 40 games during his four seasons of College Football. During his first season with the Arizona Cardinals, Max Melton compiled 36 Solo Tackles and 5 Passes Defended.

*Isiah Pacheco, Vineland HS
Selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Running Back from Rutgers University has become one of the Kansas City Chiefs top offensive weapons over the last three seasons. Pacheco has 13 Rushing Touchdowns in 30 Regular Season Games Started and 4 Rushing Touchdowns in 10 Playoff Games.

*Kenny Pickett, Ocean Township HS
Even though he was drafted in the First Round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft, this Quarterback from South Jersey has been traded three times in the last 18 months. After starting 24 games for the Steelers, Pickett landed with the Philadelphia Eagles and was the Backup Quarterback for the 2024 season. Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Pickett will be the Backup QB for the Las Vegas Raiders.

*Haason Reddick, Haddon Heights HS
Selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, the Edge Rusher from Temple University has 59 Sacks in 8 seasons playing in the NFL. After four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, Reddick played two seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles along with one season for the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets. For the 2025 season, Reddick will be a part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Pass Rush.

*Cesar Ruiz, Camden HS
Selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Interior Offensive Lineman from the University of Michigan is entering his sixth season for the New Orleans Saints. Ruiz has started 69 games during his first five NFL seasons.

*Tarheeb Still, Timber Creek Regional
Drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers, this Cornerback who played his College Football at Maryland has earned his spot as one of LA's Starting Cornerbacks for the 2025 NFL season. Last year, Still compiled Four Interceptions and 45 Solo Tackles.

*Jonathan Taylor, Salem HS
Selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Running Back from the University of Wisconsin is entering his sixth season with the Indianapolis Colts. Taylor led the NFL in Rushing Yards during the 2021 season (1,811) and averaged the most Rushing Yards per Game among all active NFL players (89.7).

*Bhayshul Tuten, Paulsboro HS
The third Running Back from a South Jersey High School drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars, this Virginia Tech RB had 25 Rushing Touchdowns in 24 games played in College Football. Selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Bhayshul Tuten joins fellow Rookie Running Back from South Jersey, LeQuint Allen, on the Jags 53-man roster.

Here are more South Jersey High School Graduates who have played in the NFL over the last 50 years: