essay on jerry rice

Hall of Fame football wide receiver Jerry Rice played for the San Francisco 49ers and is widely considered the greatest ever to play his position.

Who Is Jerry Rice?

Jerry Rice is widely considered to be the greatest wide receiver in the history of the National Football League (NFL). While in college, he earned All-America honors and set 18 Division I-AA records. The San Francisco 49ers drafted Rice in the first round in 1985, the start of a 20-year career in which Rice won multiple Super Bowls and set 38 NFL records. Rice was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Early Career

Jerry Lee Rice was born on October 13, 1962, in Starkville, Mississippi. One of eight children, he was the son of a hardworking bricklayer who employed Rice and his brothers as his assistants during the hot Southern summers. It was grueling work, but Rice later came to be grateful for it. "It taught me the meaning of hard work," he said.

Early on, Rice proved himself to be a gifted runner, often cutting back and forth on the long dirt road that ran in front of his house. But it wasn't until high school that Rice discovered football. As the story goes, Rice had skipped classes one day and ran into an assistant principal. After sprinting away from him, Rice was eventually reprimanded. But his quickness was soon brought to the attention of the school's football coach, who put him in pads and had him line up as a receiver.

Rice quickly caught on to the game and became an offensive threat for the team. His talent was enough to catch the eyes of a few college scouts, and in the fall of 1981, he enrolled at Mississippi Valley State University.

Playing in the lowly regarded Southwestern Athletic Conference and on a team that often used a spread-the-field offensive attack, Rice's impressive offensive numbers were looked at skeptically by pro scouts. Still, it was impossible not to at least label him an intriguing prospect. Over his four-year college career, Rice hauled in 4,692 receiving yards and collected 18 Division I-AA records.

NFL Success

In the 1985 NFL draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Rice with the 16th overall pick. That rookie season was an up-and-down year for Rice, who started off slow but gained momentum later in the year.

"I was thinking through every step of a complicated offense," he later admitted.

His second year was his breakout season. Teamed with veteran quarterback Joe Montana, Rice snagged 86 catches, including 15 touchdowns, and 1,570 receiving yards.

Rice followed it up with an even better season in 1987, earning Player of the Year honors and setting a new league record with 23 touchdowns. In the 1988-1989 season, he led the 49ers to the Super Bowl, where he caught 11 passes and was named the game's MVP.

Famous for his fitness level, Rice went on to play an unprecedented 20 NFL seasons, finally retiring in 2004. The majority of his career was played in a 49ers uniform, but he later caught passes for the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks.

Without a doubt the most prolific receiver in the NFL history, Rice retired with 38 NFL records to his name, including most career receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,895) and touchdowns (197). Rice was named a member of the NFL's All-Decade Teams of the 1980s and 1990s as well as the league's 75th Anniversary Team.

"I've pushed my body for 20 years," Rice said at the press conference announcing his retirement. "I was never a couch potato, I was always working out. I had to prove myself every year."

In 2010, Rice, who won three Super Bowl rings with the 49ers, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

QUICK FACTS

• Name: Jerry Lee Rice
• Birth Year: 1962
• Birth date: October 13, 1962
• Birth State: Mississippi
• Birth City: Starkville
• Birth Country: United States
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: Hall of Fame football wide receiver Jerry Rice played for the San Francisco 49ers and is widely considered the greatest ever to play his position.
• Astrological Sign: Libra
• Mississippi Valley State University
• I was never a couch potato, I was always working out.

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The Life And Career Of Jerry Rice (Complete Story)

In the National Football League, there are stars, there are superstars, there are all-time greats and then there is Jerry Rice.

For 20 seasons, he made his mark on pro football while rewriting the record books and making them look like his own personal resume.

If there were a Mount Rushmore of the NFL, Rice’s head would surely be on it.

Childhood In The Deep South

Jerry Lee Rice was born on Oct. 13, 1962 in Starkville, Miss., a small town located towards the east-central portion of the state.

Rice was one of eight children, and his father, Joe Nathan, was a blue-collar bricklayer. During the summer, the elder Rice would have his sons assist him at work while withstanding the hot and humid climate of the Deep South.

The younger Rice may not have loved spending his summers doing manual labor rather than relaxing, but he would become grateful that he did it, as he would admit that it taught him the meaning of hard work.

As a young child, Rice was pretty fast as a runner. There was a long dirt road in front of his childhood home, and he would often dash back and forth on it.

Most pro athletes fall in love with their sport when they were really young because they found out they were gifted at it. However, the story of Rice finding football was a strange and serendipitous one.

Even when he matriculated to B. L. Moor High School, he had not played the sport. His mother would not let him, and he would later admit that he had no intention of playing football.

Young Rice wasn’t the best student, and ironically it was his lack of commitment to academics that led to him discovering his otherworldly talent and skill in America’s most popular sport.

One day, Rice tried to ditch class by sneaking off the campus. The vice-principal of B. L. Moor spotted him, and Rice tried to run away, forcing the vice-principal to chase him.

Rice was very elusive, but he was caught and disciplined. The vice-principal was so impressed with Rice’s speed that he told the school’s football coach about him, and he was punished by being required to take part in practice with the football squad.

“He made me go out for the team, and that’s how I started playing the game,” Rice told the Los Angeles Times.

Rice also played basketball and ran track and field, but football would become his main love and priority.

After dabbling in playing a few different positions, Rice and his coach settled on the wide receiver position, and he did well enough to attract the attention of a few select college scouts.

The Birth Of A Megastar

Rice went on to play for Mississippi Valley State University, a historically Black university and a relatively small school that played in the second-rate Southwestern Athletic Conference. At first, there was nothing to suggest that he would become anything special.

Head coach Archie Cooley ran what was considered at the time to be an unorthodox offense. He loved to overload one side of the formation with as many as four wideouts, while placing Rice on the opposite side where he would face single coverage.

Cooley’s peers may have snickered at his attempts to up-tempo the game and inflate his team’s scoring opportunities, but it helped Rice hone his craft.

In 1982, his sophomore year, he made his debut for the Mississippi Valley Delta Devils, and he failed to disappoint, catching 66 passes for 1,133 yards and seven touchdowns that year.

Rice truly started to emerge in 1983, and he was as powerful as a springtime Mississippi tornado. He set new NCAA single-season records with 102 receptions and 1,450 receiving yards while scoring 14 touchdowns.

If he was a tornado in ’83, he would strengthen into EF5 status in 1984. Rice broke his own records that year with 112 catches and 1,845 yards, and he would set an additional NCAA record with 27 touchdowns.

The Delta Devils were a squall line, and Rice was the main storm. The team would score 628 points through 11 games for an unreal average of 57.1 per game.

One factor was that coach Cooley, who was nicknamed “Gunslinger,” told quarterback Willie Totten to call all plays at the line of scrimmage, and this no-huddle offense was too much for opponents to handle. It especially benefitted Rice, who had multiple games with over 200 yards and one contest where he managed to score five touchdowns.

The wideout gained the nickname “World” because of “his ability to catch anything near him.” He found his way onto every Division I-AA All-America team and was named the MVP of the Blue-Gray Classic, an annual all-star game that took place in Alabama.

By now, pro scouts couldn’t help but take notice, as Rice was on his way to the NFL draft.

Looking Good In The Red And Gold

Although scouts had real interest in Rice leading up to the 1985 NFL Draft, they also weren’t sure if he was the real deal. They cited Cooley’s offense, which was sneered at in those days, and the lesser competition Rice faced as reasons why he wasn’t the best receiver in his draft class.

Still, there were two teams that were very interested in taking him: the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers .

Dallas had the 17th overall pick, and rumor had it they were pretty much locked in on taking Rice. The Niners had the last pick of the first round, but head coach Bill Walsh wanted Rice badly.

Therefore, he sent three draft picks to the New England Patriots for the No. 16 pick, which he then used to take Rice.

There’s an old saying that it’s better to be lucky than good, but Rice had both in spades. The Niners had just won the Super Bowl, and it is exceedingly rare for a team that had just claimed the world championship to draft a Hall of Famer, even in the NFL.

As he did in college, Rice would play in an offense that was ahead of its time. Walsh employed a scheme known as the “West Coast Offense” that spread the field, employed several wideouts at once and prioritized throwing over running the football.

Rice struggled at times during his rookie season. He started just four of 16 games, and his numbers were fairly pedestrian, especially for someone with elite speed and quickness in a 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame.

“I was thinking through every step of a complicated offense, instead of using natural reactions,” Rice admitted .

But in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams, he began to show the NFL what it would have to deal with for many years to come. He put up 241 yards and a touchdown, and he continued to play well in the final two games to end the campaign with a solid 927 yards, winning the NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Contrary to appearances and the tricks time can play with one’s mind, Rice’s trip to the top would not be extremely easy.

In the opening week of the 1986 season, Niners QB Joe Montana, widely considered the best in the game, injured a spinal disc in his lower back and needed surgery. The injury was so severe that Montana was advised by his doctors to retire.

Backup Jeff Kemp, a certifiable mediocre signal-caller, took over at QB. Mercifully, Montana returned in early November, but he was shaky the rest of the season.

The instability under center had no effect whatsoever on Rice. He walloped opposing defenses with 1,570 yards and 15 touchdowns on the season, both of which led the NFL, and earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro First-Team honors.

Although the Niners got rolled in the wild card playoff round by the New York Giants, Rice had effectively announced to opponents that he would be their worst nightmare for years to come.

Looking for some insurance, San Francisco acquired Steve Young, an up-and-coming QB, prior to the 1987 season. Even with a quarterback controversy brewing, Rice still made 1987 his personal showcase.

ON THIS DAY Sit back and watch Joe Montana & Jerry Rice go to work. #GoNiners (Nov. 29, 1987) 11/29 pic.twitter.com/f8fBVwhpSa — Steven (@steviebreech) November 30, 2021

He finished the season with 1,078 yards and set a new league record with 22 receiving touchdowns. The runner-up in that category that season? The Philadelphia Eagles’ Mike Quick, who had a mere 11 touchdowns.

Everyone in the football world had drenched shirts and pants from profusely drooling over Rice’s exploits. He won the Offensive Player of the Year award, as well as the MVP by the Professional Football Writers of America.

The Niners went 13-2 in the regular season, but once again they lost in the opening round of the postseason, as Rice was held to just 28 yards by the Minnesota Vikings.

The wideout continued to feast in 1988, putting up 1,306 yards and nine touchdowns and again making the Pro Bowl and All-Pro First-Team. Still, the Niners underperformed, starting the season 6-5, putting them in danger of missing the playoffs.

But they won their next four games to finish the year with a 10-6 record, sending them to the playoffs where they routed the Vikings and Minnesota Bears in order to advance to Super Bowl XXIII against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Some consider this championship game to be the greatest in league history. The score was tied at just 3-3 at halftime, but the Bengals took a 13-6 lead into the fourth quarter, and the Niners were in trouble.

Rice scored a touchdown to tie the score early in the final frame, but it seemed in vain when a field goal by Jim Breech put Cincinnati up by three with just 3:20 left.

Montana calmly led the greatest clutch drive in Super Bowl history, which included three receptions by Rice. A touchdown by fellow wideout John Taylor provided the final margin of victory and the Niners’ third world championship since 1981.

Rice was named Super Bowl MVP with 215 yards on 11 catches. No one in their right mind could doubt that he was elite.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXZoQBehY08

When a sports team wins multiple championships, it wins each in a different way. If the 49ers’ title in ’88 was about getting off the mat and showing perseverance, the 1989 season would be about pure dominance.

Rice had 1,483 yards and 17 touchdowns, leading everyone in both categories, and his team looked invincible, posting a 14-2 record. Montana looked as good as ever, and the squad finished first in points scored and third in points allowed.

Even the retirement of Walsh (he was replaced by defensive coordinator George Seifert) did nothing to slow the Niners.

No one had a chance in the playoffs. San Fran routed Minnesota in the divisional round, then embarrassed the Rams to advance to the Super Bowl, where they slaughtered John Elway’s Denver Broncos 55-10, thanks to Rice’s 148 yards and three touchdowns, the latter of which was a Super Bowl record.

January 28, 1990: Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and the 49ers rout John Elway and the Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV. pic.twitter.com/0BVC5yoJgS — This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) January 28, 2022

By winning their fourth ring in nine seasons, the Niners had firmly established themselves as the team of the 1980s in the NFL. The 1989 iteration of the team is considered by many to be the greatest in league history.

Early on, it looked like the ’90s would also be a 49ers decade. They went 14-2 again, as Rice had 1,502 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season, and when they advanced to the NFC Championship Game against the New York Giants, fans were expecting them to take the next step towards a threepeat.

But Rice only had 54 yards, and Montana got knocked out in the fourth quarter with multiple injuries due to a brutal hit by Giants defensive end Leonard Marshall. San Fran lost a defensive struggle, 15-13.

New QB, No Problem

Montana suffered an elbow injury in the 1991 preseason, which shelved him for the entire season, making Young the new starting QB. Although the team as a whole went through an adjustment period, Rice did not.

He still managed to put up 1,206 yards and 14 touchdowns in ’91. Although he wasn’t named to the All-Pro First-Team for the first time since his rookie year, he still made it to the Pro Bowl.

The next year, Young shook off the cobwebs and became a premier QB, while Rice regained his rightful spot on the All-Pro First-Team squad. San Fran went 14-2, and with Montana returning near the end of the season, it seemed the team had regained its championship hopes.

In the NFC Championship Game, the Niners faced the Dallas Cowboys, a young, ascendant team featuring future Hall of Famers in QB Troy Aikman, running back Emmitt Smith and wideout Michael Irvin. Rice had a nice game with 123 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough, as Dallas prevailed, 30-20, and an old rivalry had been resurrected between the two teams.

With a major QB controversy in full-swing, Montana asked to be traded prior to the 1993 season and was dealt to the Kansas City Chiefs. It was now Young’s team, but the team’s main weapon remained Rice.

Although he turned 31 that season, he was very much in his prime, putting up a league-leading 1,503 yards and 15 touchdowns. At this point, it seemed that even if Gary Coleman were under center for the Niners, Rice would still be dominant.

He was now the NFL’s all-time leader in receiving touchdowns, having broken the previous record held by Steve Largent.

Rice took full advantage of his physical gifts, and he used his speed and quickness to get past opposing defensive backs, both before and after catches, while using his leaping ability to beat taller players to make catches.

He was also an effective blocker, which made him a team player and opened things up for his teammates.

But the real key to Rice’s greatness was his obsessive work ethic. He was a stickler about staying on top of his conditioning, and he would regularly sprint across a long and steep hill in the Edgewood County Park & Natural Preserve, which amounted to about 2.5 miles of hard running each day.

“The main thing for me was conditioning, and it started with this hill,” Rice once said . “We did this, and it’s what made us capable of outdoing everybody else during the football season. It was about being able to put your body through pain.”

In fact, early in his career, he even hired a speech coach because he was unsatisfied with his oratorical skills during media press conferences.

With a 10-6 record, the 49ers again made it to the NFC Championship, where they again played the Cowboys, and again they lost, this time by a score of 38-21.

Displeased with the team’s inability to get back to the big game, management upgraded the roster heading into the 1994 campaign, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Meanwhile, Young was plagued by the incessant comparisons to Montana and his perceived inability to win big playoff games.

Rice again shined bright in 1994. In Week 1 against the Los Angeles Raiders on Monday Night Football, he passed Jim Brown to become the NFL leader in overall touchdowns.

On this day in 1994, #49ers WR Jerry Rice breaks Jim Brown's #NFL record for most touchdown scored. Rice scored three touchdowns on #MNF against #Raiders in season opener. #Random49ers @JerryRice pic.twitter.com/pZ6zrQMunc — #Random49ers (@Random49ers) September 5, 2021

For the season, Rice had 1,499 yards, which again led the NFL, and 13 receiving touchdowns. The Niners went 13-3 and looked as robust as they had in several years.

This time, when they faced the Cowboys for the NFC title, they prevailed 38-28, sending them to the Super Bowl, where they blew out the San Diego Chargers for their fifth world championship, Rice’s third.

Although Young was named Super Bowl MVP, Rice was magnificent with 149 yards and three touchdowns, which was all the more impressive considering he suffered a separated shoulder during the game but kept playing.

Even as he grew older, he kept on coming strong. Rice had a career-high 122 receptions in 1996, leading to 1,848 receiving yards, which was a new NFL record.

For the fifth-straight year, and 10th overall, Rice not only was selected to the Pro Bowl but also the All-Pro First-Team.

In the playoffs, the Niners ran into a new rival: the Green Bay Packers. Brett Favre and company would defeat San Fran in both the ’95 and ’96 playoffs, despite Rice’s best efforts.

Injured And Declining, But Not Out

Despite approaching his 35th birthday, Rice was still a premier wideout, even if he had lost a step. But he would be challenged in a new way in 1997.

In the first game of the year, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Warren Sapp grabbed Rice by the facemask while tackling him, and the wideout tore both two ligaments in his knee, breaking his ironman-like streak of playing in 189 consecutive games.

It was expected he would miss the rest of the season, but against the advice of his doctors, he returned in Week 16, only to injure the patella in his left kneecap. Without him, the Niners lost yet again in the playoffs to Green Bay.

As the 1998 season unfolded, there was a changing of the guard underway in the Bay. Although Rice was still the lynchpin of the team, hotshot wideout Terrell Owens was emerging fast, and head coach Steve Mariucci wanted to shart shifting some of the burden to him.

Rice’s numbers went down a bit to 1,157 yards and nine touchdowns, but he still made the Pro Bowl. In the playoffs, the Niners finally got past the Packers (on a last-second touchdown by Owens) before falling to the Atlanta Falcons.

In 1999, the Niners’ dynasty finally came apart at the seams. Young suffered a concussion that led to his retirement, and Rice had less than 1,000 yards in both ’99 and 2000, making it clear that he was in decline.

The Niners missed the playoffs both years, and with the team rebuilding, Rice felt it was time to move on, as he joined the Oakland Raiders for the 2001 campaign.

The Raiders were coming off a trip to the AFC Championship Game, and they were perhaps hoping Rice’s skills and experience would put them over the top.

Playing with QB Rich Gannon and for head coach Jon Gruden, Rice perked up a bit, posting 1,139 yards and nine touchdowns in ’01 and 1,211 yards and seven touchdowns in 2002.

In a game against the Denver Broncos, he not only scored his 200th career touchdown, but he also overtook Walter Payton to become the all-time leader in both yards from scrimmage and all-purpose yards.

Rice returned to the Pro Bowl in ’02, and with an 11-5 record, the Raiders had their way with the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans to advance to Super Bowl XXXVII.

Although he had 77 yards and a touchdown in the big game, the Raiders were no match for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, losing 48-21.

The following season, Rice’s numbers declined again below the 1,000-yard mark, and after the Raiders won just four games, Rice asked to be traded in 2004, and he got his wish, getting sent to the Seattle Seahawks.

After playing out the balance of the year in the Emerald City, Rice announced his retirement in September 2005. Almost a year later, he signed a one-day contract with the Niners so he could officially end his career with them.

Post-Football Life

Many years after his retirement, Rice still holds numerous NFL records, including most career receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.

His induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010 was the biggest no-brainer in its history.

Away from the gridiron, Rice is known as an avid golfer. Dating back to his playing days, he could often be found on the links early in the morning, and he has even competed in multiple golf tournaments.

He married Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell in 1987, and they had three children together. One of them, Jerry Rice Jr., played college football for both the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

In the 2005-06 television season, the elder Rice also competed on the popular reality show Dancing With The Stars while paired with dancer Anna Trebunskaya. He made it to the final competition, only to lose to singer Drew Lachey.

Years later, quarterback Tom Brady emerged, and throughout his long career, he won seven Super Bowls, establishing himself as the consensus greatest player in NFL history.

But other than Brady, many agree that Rice was the GOAT. At the very least, he was by far the greatest wide receiver ever, and it will be a very long time before anyone even comes close to equaling both his personal and team accomplishments.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starkville,_Mississippi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Rice https://www.wsj.com/articles/nfl-star-jerry-rices-solid-foundation-1454430417 https://www.biography.com/athlete/jerry-rice#:~:text=Fame%20in%202010.-,Early%20Career,to%20be%20grateful%20for%20it. https://sports.jrank.org/pages/3843/Rice-Jerry-Growing-Up.html http://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Rice_Jerry.html https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00.htm https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9992991/idaho-star-leads-ap-team/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue%E2%80%93Gray_Football_Classic https://ninernoise.com/2022/01/12/jerry-rice-almost-drafted-cowboys-49ers/ https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/1985/ https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_San_Francisco_49ers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Montana https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1986.htm https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11679930/49er-rice-named-most-valuable/ https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/1987/ https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/1988/ https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1989.htm https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/1989/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XXIII https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/02/sports/pro-football-rice-works-for-hours-and-defies-the-years.html?pagewanted=all&mcubz=2 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1992.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XXIX https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1995.htm https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sfo/1996.htm https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/1997/ https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/ https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceJe00/gamelog/2002/

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by Keyanis from San Diego

Humble and caring; those are characteristics of a true hero. It takes a humble character throughout their journey of ups and downs and still has the energy to care. Jerry Rice’s acts of humility and caring show his worthy spot as a hero. Jerry Rice is the all-time hall of famer for the San Francisco 49ers, but before he made it to the NFL he went to this small college in Mississippi called Mississippi Valley state. Jerry Rice was born October 13, 1962, Crawford Mississippi. A Hero to me has to be humble and caring. To me a person that is humble is someone who never takes anything for granted, works hard and sets a goal in their life to become better. Someone who is caring to me would be someone who has feelings and exhibiting concern and empathy for others around them. Jerry Rice possesses Caring and humility, therefore he is a true hero to me. Jerry Rice’s Caring and Humbleness comes from his father who was a bricklayer and from that it taught him the meaning of hard work and the attitude that controlled his effort throughout his life.

NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice is my favorite receiver because of his humble roots. Jerry Rice is the all time leader in the NFL with a total of 208 touchdown and 1,848 yards. Jerry Rice has also had 13 pro bowl appearances in his 20 seasons in the NFL. “I pretty much approach every season never thinking about what I accomplished the year before.” (Jerry Rice) This shows that Jerry Rice doesn’t go for the easy way out and goes the extra step for what he works for. This also shows that instead of not doing anything he is working twice as hard as ever playing the receiver position. Another example of why Jerry Rice is humble to me is because he is a very positive character and gives 100% effort into what he loves. “I felt like I came in and gave it my best shot and I still wanted to play… It didn’t happen… I am still going to hold my head high and stay positive” (Jerry Rice). Jerry Rice shows great humbleness because even when he falls down and gets hurt he climbs right back up. This shows that he is a good influence to his fans because his outstanding strength to never give up. Jerry Rice shows his humble character throughout the world which shows his awesome character.

On the field as well as off the field Jerry Rice is very caring and has a toy drive for under aged kids every year. Close to five hundred children, teenagers, and adults joined football legend Jerry Rice in his toy drives for kids. “People today are always on their cell phones, so I thought why not react to my friends this way… I will establish closer relationships with my fans using these mobile services” (Jerry Rice). This shows that Jerry Rice is caring because he wants to get closer to his fans by establishing a bond. This also shows how he is caring because he gives an effort to care for his fans and not just himself. Children from all over the bay area gather to join Jerry Rice on Saturday Dec. 11, for the 16th annual Jerry Rice winter festival. “Hall of famer is merry-gives back in holiday spirit”. Jerry Rice has just so much enthusiasm greeting fans with a warm friendly smile and a handshake. He contributes to all children in need over the bay area year after year and has a great time doing it. I believe that Jerry Rice is a great football player but not only that I think he is great for the community and how caring he is because of all the things he has done for it.

With his great effort and hardworking attitude built from the foundation of his father Jerry Rice has become a great inspiration that he is today. Jerry Rice is a true hero because of all the little deeds he does and all these little things can make a change in the world. Jerry Rice inspires me because I have always looked up to a person like him since I was a kid not just athletically but socially because of the way that he cares for not just himself but he helps other people as well and that’s why he inspires others. He got this way by never letting obstacles get in his way and setting a goal for himself. It takes a true hero to care for others and still be humble and in the end still turn out to be a remarkable hero.

Freeze frame." Multichannel News 32.3 (2011): 13. General Reference Center Gold. Web. 11 Apr. 2011 "Rice, Jerry (1962-)." UXL Biographies. Online ed. Detroit: UXL, 2003. Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL. 31 Mar. 2011 “Jerry Rice Class of 2010.” Pro Football Hall of Fame. 13 Apr. 2011. “Jerry Rice Biography.” TV Guide. 13 Apr. 2011.

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Some might call him the goat and some might call him the best, but his real name is Jerry Rice. Jerry Rice is the best receiver in NFL history and also the best player ever. He has about every receiving record there is and by a long shot. He was one of the most electric and athletic players to ever step on a football field. He was also extremely good in college. He broke 18 NCAA records before he went to the NFL.

Jerry Rice was born in Starkville, Mississippi on October 13th, 1962. His mom was Eddie Rice and his dad was Joe Nathan Rice. Jerry Rice was one of eight kids. Jerry Rice went to Oktoc High School. He went to Mississippi Valley State and was the sixteenth pick in the 1985 NFL draft. He was selected by the 49ers where he became the star player. He was a San Francisco 49er from 1985 through 2000. He then went to the Oakland Raiders from 2001 through 2004. He then attended the Seattle Seahawks but wasn’t good. He played for Seattle in 2004 and then went to the Denver Broncos for 2005. Jerry Rice retired in 2006 as one of the greatest players of all time, if not the greatest. Jerry Rice was inducted into the hall of fame in 2010.

Jerry Rice had a thing in mind that told him to always work hard and never give up. He learned this from his father. His father was Joe Nathan Rice. Joe Nathan Rice was a builder. He would have his kids help him build by throwing the bricks to him in a row. This is how Jerry Rice was so good at catching. He would catch a brick every day because it was his dad’s job. His dad always told him to work hard. One day Jerry’s dad told his kids to sit on the couch. He grabbed his gun and pointed it at the children. He told them to not move and then he shot right above their heads. He told them that this was a lesson of fear and being brave. Jerry’s mom, Eddie Rice, was a loving parent. She loved all of her eight kids and was super proud of Jerry. Another huge role in Jerry’s life was Joe Montana. Joe Montana is arguably the best quarterback in NFL history. Joe would throw Jerry the perfect passes and would help him be better. Jerry Rice would always be working. When football season wasn’t on, he would still practice every day and run a lot of miles just to be in his perfect form for football season. When people told him to step of the gas pedal, he would chew them out and ask them why they weren’t working hard. Deion Sanders was also a really good player. He played cornerback and was maybe the best ever for his position. He was the type of guy to party before games or say that they would win so he didn’t have to worry about it. Jerry and Deion got into some arguments at Super Bowl twenty nine. Deion went out to party while Jerry was working hard. Deion said that they were going to win by twenty points. He ordered a Lamborghini and went out to party. Jerry approached him and they didn’t like each other very much. A few years later, Joe Montana left the team. The 49ers ended up drafting Steve Young who was left handed. Jerry Rice wasn’t used to a lefty spin, so a coach threw thousands of balls to get him used to it. Steve and Jerry had huge success just like him and Montana did.

Jerry Rice had quite a bit of goals. He said that he was going to be the best even before he played his first game. He also had the goal of winning a Super Bowl. He wanted to show everyone what hard work would do and how it would pay of. Jerry Rice wanted to show everyone that anything is possible if you work hard enough for it. He also wanted his name to be remembered for a long time. If you ask me, his name will be remembered for quite a lot more years.

Jerry Rice had all of these goals that he wanted to achieve. A lot of people thought that he wasn’t going to do it. He made them look stupid by breaking almost every receiving record and winning at least one Super Bowl. He has the most touchdown receptions in a super bowl. His name will never be forgotten and people now understand that you only get better by practice and hard work. When he said that he was going to be the best player of all time, some people started laughing. Jerry Rice told everyone wrong because he was so good. Now he can say that he is the best player of all time. Some people might argue that he’s not but when you look at stats you can simply tell that Jerry Rice is the best player in the history of the NFL.

In conclusion, Jerry Rice is the best player in the history of the NFL because he has almost every single receiving record. He also has quite a lot of Super Bowls under his belt and is in the hall of fame. Everyone that likes football should know who Jerry Rice is or they have been living under a rock. He told everyone that he was going to be the best and he is. His hard work from his father went to Jerry and he took that to the NFL and taught people that hard work is the key to success. Jerry Rice has played with many amazing players and also some bad ones. He can say that he is the best and people can’t really argue with him. Jerry Rice was truly amazing and people will remember him for quite some time.

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Study Like a Boss

Jerry Rice Research Paper

The top ten football players are the greatest players in their positions, and the greatest players in the game that ever played. People may have different opinions of who are the top ten football players but these are the top ten I think would fit perfectly in that category. http://www. biography. com/people/ jerry-rice-405 Jerry Rice, wide receiver by every qualification, Jerry Rice was the greatest wide receiver of all time. He had the best hands and ran the most precise routes, and starred as the premier game changer after the catch.

Rice, as the greatest blocking wide receiver of all time. http://www. biography. com/people/ jerry-rice-405 And as an NFL boots trapper, he serves as another monument to hard work. jerry Lee Rice was born October 13, 1962, in Starkville, Mississippi. One of eight children, he was the son of a hardworking bricklayer who employed Rice and his brothers as his assistants during the hot Southern summers. http://www. biography. com/people/jerry-rice-4o5 It was grueling work, but Rice later came to be grateful for it. “It taught me the meaning of hard work,” he said. ttp:// www. biography. com/people/jerry-rice-405 Early on, Rice proved himself to be a gifted runner, often cutting back and forth on the long dirt road that ran in front of his house. http:// www. biography. com/people/jerry-rice-405 But it wasn’t until high school that Rice discovered football.

As the story goes, Rice had skipped classes one day and ran into an assistant principal. After sprinting away from him, Rice was eventually reprimanded. http://www. biography. com/people/jerry-rice-405 But his quickness was soon brought to the attention of the chool’s football coach, who put him in pads and had him line up as a receiver. In all, Rice rewrote the NFL record books for 1,549 receptions, 22,895 receiving yards, and 208 total touchdowns. Rice’s career and records are breathtaking, as he proved to be a lock for 80 catches, 1,000 yards, 10 touchdowns, and one Pro Bowl ticket to Hawaii for 13 seasons http:// www. biography. com/people/jerry-rice-405 . He was a threat to score on every play His second year was his breakout season. Teamed with veteran quarterback Joe Montana, Rice snagged 86 catches, including 15 touchdowns, and 1,570 receiving yards.

Rice followed it up with an even better season in 1987, earning Player of the Year honors and setting a new league record with 23 touchdowns. http://www. biography. com/people/jerryrice-405 In the 1988 season, he led the 49ers to the Super Bowl, where he caught 11 passes and was named the game’s MVP . Famous for his fitness level, Rice went on to play an unprecedented 20 NFL seasons, finally retiring in 2004. The majority of his career was played in a 49ers uniform, but he later caught passes for the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks. http://www. iography. com/people/jerry-rice-405 Without a doubt the most prolific receiver in the NFL history, Rice retired with 38 NFL records to his name, including most career receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,895) and touchdowns (197). Rice was named a member of the NFL’s AllDecade Teams of the 1980s and 1990s as well as the league’s 75th Anniversary Team. http://www. biography. com/people/ jerry-rice-405 “I’ve pushed my body for 20 years,” Rice said at the press conference announcing his retirement. “I was never a couch potato, I was always working out.

I had to prove myself every year. “In 2010, Rice, who won three Super Bowl rings with the 49ers, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame http:// www. biography. com/people/jerry-rice-405 http://www. biography. com/people/jerry-rice-405 Jim Brown, running back is a record-holding, former NFL fullback who’s been elected to his sport’s Hall of Fame and who’s also worked as a model and film actor. In college, Brown dominated the competition, both on the football field and on the basketball court. He also ran track and was a talented lacrosse player. http://www. iography. com/people/jim-brown-9228484As a running back, Brown earned national attention for his strong, explosive play. In the final regular-season game of his senior year, Brown capped off his college career by rushing for 197 yards, scoring six touchdowns and kicking seven extra points.

Jim Brown dominated everybody. Over the course of his nine seasons, Brown ran over, though, and around people for 12,312 rushing yards and 106 touchdowns on the ground. At 29, he shocked the world and retired from the game of football in his prime. Brown simply had http://www. biography. om/people/ jim-brown-9228484nothing else left to prove, having already qualified as the record holder of every significant rushing mark in the books. Although Brown has since been surpassed by Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton in the record books, neither back can touch his remarkable 5. 2-yard-per-carry average. http:// www. biography. com/people/jim-brown-9228484 As the perfect complement of size and speed, Brown put up video-game-like numbers in the era of the phonograph and turntable. With the exception of 1962, Brown led the NFL in rushing every year between 1957 and 1965.

In 1963, he torched defenses for 1,863 rushing yards on only 291 carries, which translates into a 6. 4yard-per-carry average. http://www. biography. com/people/jimbrown-9228484 Joe Montana, quarterback can lay claim to four Lombardi trophies and three Super Bowl MVP awards. Professional football player Joe Montana led the 49ers to victories in four Super Bowls, including consecutive wins in 1989 and 1990. Known for his quiet confidence, Joe Cool pointed out John Candy in the Super Bowl XXIII stands while his teammates huddled up.

After breaking the ice, Montana had his 49ers on the march efore he flicked the game-winning toss to John Taylor on a slant route into the end zone. Football player Joseph Clifford Montana was born on June 11, 1956, in New Eagle, Pennsylvania. A talented multi-sport athlete at Ringgold High School, he was offered a scholarship to play basketball at North Carolina State University before enrolling at the University of Notre Dame to play football. . Out of Notre Dame, Montana’s draft stock plummeted — NFL scouts questioned his size, arm strength, and general toughness . Montana slid all the way down to the third round before Bill Walsh got his man with the 82nd overall pick in the 1979 NFL Draft.

Montana, because of his ability to deliver the football with precision and touch, was a perfect fit for the precise timing of the West Coast offense. In the prolific West Coast offense, Montana could dump off short passes to the likes of Jerry Rice, John Taylor, Roger Craig, and Tom Rachman, and let his receivers go to work with runs after the catch. http://www. biography. com/people/joemontana-9412332 Lawrence Taylor, linebacker was the maddest of all mad men. Because of his pure explosiveness, Taylor was the game’s foremost defensive weapon.

In the 3-4 scheme, Taylor lined up all over the field to sell out his body, force turnovers, and destroy careers. American football player Lawrence Taylor was a member of the New York Giants and is considered one of the best linebackers in the history of the game. http:// www. biography. com/people/lawrence-taylor-38904 Taylor was too fast for plodding tackles and too powerful for blocking backs to contain coming off the edge at the line of scrimmage. Within two counts, the quarterback would get decked and stripped of the football in one fell swoop.

As a sack artist, Taylor compiled 132. quarterback sacks over his 13-year career, which is still good for tenth all-time. Taylor matched his on-the-field exploits with off-the-field problems. Cocaine and crack use led to a failed NFL drug test and, subsequently, a 30-day suspension from football. Trouble continued to plague Taylor following his retirement after the 1993 season. In 1996, South Carolina police arrested the retired star for buying crack. http:// www. biography. com/people/lawrence-taylor-38904 Despite getting off of drugs, Taylor continued to make headlines. In November 2009, Florida police charged Taylor with leaving the scene of an accident.

The following year, the retired linebacker was arrested in New York, and charged with third-degree rape and soliciting prostitution in a case involving a 16-year-old girl. in January 2011, Taylor pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors that required him to register as a sex offender . Taylor, who is the father of four children, resid http://www. biography. com/people/ lawrence-taylor-38904 Walter Payton, running back simply outworked everybody else. At 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds, Payton was neither a physically imposing, bruising back, nor was he blessed with track star speed.

On the playing field, the man they called Sweetness was known for his iron will to finish off runs in the image of his lunch-pail work ethic and madman fitness program. As a testament to his durability, Payton owned the rushing record books at the end of his 13-year career with the Chicago Bears. By retirement, he had racked up 16,726 rushing yards and 110 total touchdowns. As a true workhorse back, Payton led the NFL in carries for four consecutive seasons between 1976 and 1979. In 1977, Payton carried the football 339 times to run roughshod over the competition for 1,852 yards and a 5. yards per carry average. Payton continued to excel after joining the NFL’s Chicago Bears in 1975. Known for both his speed and power, he rushed for a single game-record 275 yards in 1977, finishing the year as the league MVP. Payton went on to earn nine Pro Bowl selections, his efforts annually propelling the Bears into playoff contention.

Nearing the end of his career, he finally earned a Super Bowl ring when Chicago knocked off the New England Patriots in January 1986. After retiring, Payton explored business opportunities in several fields, including real estate, restaurants and race cars . http://www. iography. com/people/ walter-payton-9435443Living up to his nickname, he spent much of his time working make life better for other people, primarily through the efforts of the Walter Payton Foundation. In early 1999, Payton revealed he had primary sclerosing cholangitis, a condition in which the bile ducts are blocked. He died on November 1 of that year of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer),but not before helping to raise awareness of the rare disease. http://www. biography. com/people/walterpayton-9435443The football great was survived by his wife, Connie, and two children, Jarrett and Brittney.

His charitable organization became the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation, with his wife taking over the foundation’s mission of helping children and veterans http://www. biography. com/people/ walter-payton-9435443 Johnny Unites, quarterback was as American as apple pie, with his first-generation heritage, crew-cut hairstyle, and black high-top shoes . At quarterback, Johnny U was credited for authoring the two-minute drill and fourth-quarter comeback. As a virtual coach on the field, Unitas called his own plays to pick apart defenses throughout his 18-year career. http:// www. biography. om/people/andrew-luck-20954039 Unitas, of course, will forever be immortalized as a Baltimore Colt, leading the NFL in passing on four separate occasions and winning the league MVP award three times. http://www. biography. com/ people/andrew-luck-20954039 Unitas was to finish his career with 40,239 passing yards, which is still good for 14th place on the all-time list.

Johnny U’s statistics are even more impressive when you consider the fact that he was a quarterback during the 1950s and ’60s, prior to the advent of five-wide sets, the shotgun spread, and all other pass-happy gimmicks. http:// www. biography. om/people/andrew-luck-20954039 Displaying a powerful arm and the poise of a veteran, Luck proved a worthy selection to take over as the team’s franchise quarterback. He set a rookie single-game record with 433 passing yards in November, and his season total of 4,374 yards also established a rookie mark. At the end of the season, he earned his first of multiple Pro Bowl selections. Although his passing numbers dipped as a sophomore, Luck was better at avoiding costly interceptions.

His biggest moment of the season came in the opening round of the playoffs, when he led the Colts back from a 28-point deficit to beat the Kansas City Chiefs. ttp://www. biography. com/people/andrewluck-20954039 Luck took another step forward in 2014, demonstrating that he deserved to be mentioned in the same breath as other elite quarterbacks such as Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and his predecessor, Manning. The Indy QB topped the NFL with 40 touchdown passes, and set a new personal mark with 4,761 yards through the air. Although the season ended with a blowout loss to Brady and the New England Patriots in the AFC title game, Luck’s rapid ascension to stardom had Colts fans feeling good about the future. ttp://www. biography. com/ people/andrew-luck-20954039 Dick Butkus, linebacker 51 jersey, garish shoulder pads, and blood-curdling shrieks, Dick Butkus was a feared tackler.

Butkus, at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, was the ringleader for the Monsters of the Midway and their black-and-blue style of punishment. Behind Butkus, Chicago Bears lore has remained steeped in the tradition of defense, with a fiery middle linebacker directing traffic as the ultimate focal point. http://www. biography. om/ people/dick-butkus-9233033 The unforgiving stare of Mike Singletary and pure athleticism of Brian Urlacher, however, can’t match the devastation that Butkus brought to the fore at Soldier Field. http://www. biography. com/people/dick-butkus-9233033 Don Hutson, wide receiver dominated in his position. At wide receiver for the 1935-1945 Green Bay Packers, Hutson helped introduce the game of football to slant, rub, deep out, and crossing routes, which first unlocked the timing complexities of the forward pass.

As the game’s first big-time wide receiver, several of Hutson’s records stood for decades before finally being broken by the likes of Steve Largent and Jerry Rice. Today, Hutson still holds the NFL record for the most seasons (nine) spent leading the league in touchdowns. On several occasions, Hutson’s production actually doubled the statistics of his nextbest competitor. In 1942, Hutson caught a league-leading 74 balls for 1,211 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. These numbers were unreal for Hutson’s era.

Tom Brady, quarterback has emerged as one of the greatest rags-to-riches stories of all time. After entering the NFL as a doughy sixth-round pick out of Michigan, Brady was to eventually transform into front-page fodder for both the sporting and celebrity gossip magazines alike. By 37, Brady has already taken home four Lombardi trophies and three Super Bowl MVP awards. http://www. biography. com/people/tombrady-259541 As an icon, he has combined Joe Montana’s winning gamesmanship alongside the playboy lifestyle of “Broadway” Joe Namath.

In addition to the comparisons to Montana’s legacy, any mention of Brady among the all-time greats is inevitably benchmarked against the here-and-now career of rival Peyton Manning. After the 2014 season, a new word entered the lexicon of Tom Brady lore: “Deflategate. ” http://www. biography. com/people/tom-brady-259541 After Brady’s Patriots trounced the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game, it was discovered that several of the 12 game balls used by the Patriots were underinflated, one of them measuring 2 pounds per square inch below the minimum mark allowed by the NFL.

Accusations of cheating followed, with Brady saying, “I didn’t alter the balls in any way, [and] I would never have someone do something that was outside the rules. ” Making the accusations more notable than they otherwise might be, in 2007 Patriots coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000 for an incident in which the Patriots were caught videotaping the signals of an opposing coach, in direct violation of league rules http://www. biography. com/people/tombrady-259541.

Amid the media frenzy that accompanied the cheating accusations, Brady tried to stay focused on preparing to play the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. En route to setting a Super Bowl record with 37 completions, Brady led his team back from a 10-point deficit to notch a thrilling 28-24 victory. http://www. biography. com/people/tom-brady-259541 With the win, he became the third quarterback to win four championships and the second to earn three Super Bowl MVP Awards, cementing his standing as one of the greatest ever to play his position.

The subject of Deflategate returned to the headlines in May 2015, when a report released by investigator Ted Wells revealed that Brady was “generally aware” that a locker room attendant had tampered with footballs prior to the AFC Championship game. http://www. biography. com/people/ tom-brady-259541 The quarterback was suspended for the first four games of the 2015 season, and Commissioner Roger Goodell upheld the punishment in July following an appeal.

Brady and the NFL Players Association then filed a lawsuit to have the suspension overturned, their efforts proving successful in early September when a federal judge ruled in the quarterback’s favor, on the grounds that the suspension was premised upon legal deficiencies. http://www. biography. com/ people/tom-brady-259541 Reggie White, defensive end The Minister of Defense dominated the line of scrimmage throughout his 15-year career, playing well into his late 30s. At left defensive end, Reggie White terrorized opposing right tackles with his patented hump and club moves.

From a three-point stance, White would anticipate the snap count, explode upfield, and shrug his shoulders before tossing aside yet another 300-pound lineman and moving inside to take a shot at the quarterback. Against the running game,ttp://www. encyclopedia. com/people/sports-and-games/ sports-biographies/reggie-white White was a force who possessed both the strength to shed blockers at the point of attack and the speed to chase down ball carriers from the weak side to make plays.

Curiously enough, White’s singular gift for mayhem began and ended on the gridiron during his 15-year career with the NFL. The rest of his time was always been spent in pursuing humanitarian work inspired by his deep Christian faith. The citizens of Philadelphia soon discovered that they had won the services of more than just a star athletettp:// www. encyclopedia. com/people/sports-and-games/sportsbiographies/reggie-white. “I believe that I’ve been blessed with physical ability in order to gain a platform to preach the gospel,” White told Sports Illustrated. A lot of people look at athletes as role models, and to be successful as an athlete, I’ve got to do what I do, hard but fair… . I try to live a certain way, and maybe that’ll have some kind of effect. ttp://www. encyclopedia. com/ people/sports-and-games/sports-biographies/reggie-whitel think God has allowed me to have an impact on a few people’s lives . ” White spent hours and hours of his spare time preaching on street corners in Philadelphia’s troubled inner-city neighborhoods. He gave money to dozens of Christian outreach organizations and spoke as a member of the Fellowship Christian Athletes.

And he led by example. In the rough-andtumble world of professional football, none of his opponents or teammates could ever recall hearing him curse or seeing him fight. White blossomed in 1986 with the arrival of Buddy Ryan as the Eagles’ head coach. ttp://www. encyclopedia. com/people/ sports-and-games/sports-biographies/reggie-white Ryan had made a name for himself as a defensive coordinator and had worked with some great lines, including the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings .

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Jerry Rice 3 Pages 820 Words

             Jerry Rice was born in the town of Crawford, Mississippi, on October 13, 1962; he was the sixth of eight children. His parents Joe and Eddie B. worked hard to provide for them. Jerry and his brothers and sisters worked together to help their dad out in his bricklaying business. Jerry learned several things from the way that he grew up. He learned the emphasis on hard work and its rewards, this sharing of responsibility. This led to things that define Jerry Rice ¡V he has a strong work ethic, intensity, leadership, and he is dedicated to his family.              Jerry was always active and energetic when he was young, Jerry loved to run, ride horses, and play the sports that most kids do with their friends today. Jerry rice was shy and rather quite when he was young but he excelled at sports in high school, he played basketball, track and field, and during his last two years of high school, football. Both Jerry and his older brother, Tom, were talented players and both were offered football scholarships to college. Tom (his brother) went to Jackson State and the family had great hopes that he would be drafted to a pro team but that didn¡t work out. Jerry attracted the attention of several colleges, but he accepted the offer from Mississippi Valley State after being scouted by that team¡s coach, Archie Cooley.              The Delta Devils (the team that jerry played for) had a strong passing offence which gave Jerry four years to work on the skills that would take him to the top of the list of NFL receivers. He caught 112 receptions for 1,845 yards and 28 touchdowns in his senior year. By the time he left college he had set 18 NCAA Division II records, finishing with a college career total of 4,693 receiving yards.              Although scouts were impressed with his outstanding performance on the field and his leadership abilities, they were curious about his speed. There were strong doubts among many of them that he would be able to pl              ...

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Jerry Rice’s Son Brenden Talks Comparison to His Father Ahead of NFL Draft: ‘The Standard Is Ridiculous’

Brenden Rice is expected to be drafted at next Thursday's NFL Draft

Kara Durrette/Getty 

For most children, following in their parent’s footsteps is a special kind of challenge. But following in the footsteps of your NFL Hall of Fame father? No pressure.

Jerry Rice ’s son, Brenden Rice , is one of several second-generation football stars getting ready to take the leap to the professional level when the NFL Draft kicks off next Friday, April 25. Rice, a 22-year-old wide receiver from the University of Southern California, opened up to the Associated Press this week about what it’s like to try and make a name for himself in the NFL — despite being so often compared to his father, who is widely regarded as one of the most talented wide receivers of all time.

“The standard is ridiculous so you can see what you’re expecting from me,” Rice told the AP.

Never miss a story — sign up for  PEOPLE's free daily newsletter  to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Brenden is Jerry’s only son from his marriage to Djakarta Edwards. Born in 2002, Brenden has two half-siblings — Jerry Jr., Jacqui Bonet Rice and Jada Symone Rice — through his father’s marriage to Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell. He also has one brother, Qualen, through his mom’s marriage to football coach Rick Cunningham.

The 6-foot-3, 210-lb. wide receiver racked up 12 touchdown catches and 791 yards receiving in his final year at USC, before declaring for the NFL Draft this off-season.

Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty

Reports have indicated several teams have interest in drafting Brenden, including the San Francisco 49ers, where his father played most of his career. There, he won three Super Bowls with the team over the course of 15 years, from 1985 to 2000.

Throughout his decorated career, Jerry caught 197 touchdowns and had 22,895 receiving yards. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Back in October 2023, Brenden told that he’s excited at the prospect of carrying on the family name as a successful NFL wide receiver.

" I'm truly fortunate and blessed to actually be able to come out here and get this father-son tradition going," Brenden told PEOPLE on the set of a photo shoot, where he was recreating his dad's original ad campaign shots for Breathe Right nasal strips.

Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire/Getty

He added, "You see the first generation, you see the second generation. So, now that his time has passed within the league, it's like passing the torch.”

It’s a torch that might be heavy, but one Brenden told PEOPLE he’s looking forward to carrying given his father’s reputation as a player on and off the field.

"There's a lot that goes into leadership and being that role model and I feel as though he presented himself as a perfect role model all his career and all his life," he said.

The NFL Draft begins Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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Want to feel old? Marvin Harrison, Frank Gore, Jerry Rice’s sons available in 2024 draft

It doesn’t feel like too long ago that we were watching these 2024 NFL Draft prospects’ dads on the gridiron.

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The inescapable march of time comes for us all, and what better time to remember our own mortality than the NFL Draft? With an ever-increasing number of NFL progeny entering the league we’re seeing the children of players who retired less than a decade ago trying to find a home in the NFL.

This 2024 NFL Draft class is headlined by three players who are the kids of former NFL players, with a few more later in the draft.

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR — Ohio State

Projected draft pick: Top 5

You’d have to be living under a rock to make it this far in the process without hearing about Marvin Harrison Jr. He’s been on the draft radar for the last three years as one of the most vaunted receiver prospects since Randy Moss or Calvin Johnson.

Harrison Jr. has his dad’s elite route-running skills, but he’s more athletic than Pops was. A unicorn of a player, MHJ has the ability to make a quarterback better purely by the mismatches he creates on the outside.

You’re going to be hearing his name for a long time to come.

Frank Gore Jr., RB — Southern Mississippi

Projected draft pick: Priority UDFA

A throwback three-down back, Frank Gore Jr. won in college with power rather than speed or finesse. In a lot of ways he’s a Jack of all trades, master of none, which hurts his draft position a lot.

Still, based on the name he’ll get a shot with a team and could find a home as a RB3.

Brenden Rice, WR — USC

Projected draft pick: 4th-5th round

Son of the legendary Jerry Rice, Brenden has a shot to be a solid mid-round pick for a team. Transferring from Colorado to USC in 2023, Brenden finished his final year as a reliable weapon for Caleb Williams — catching 45 passes for 791 yards.

A solid-sized possession receiver like his dad, where Brenden lacks is as a polished route runner. Still, he finds ways to make plays and was a touchdown machine for the Trojans. He’ll be a solid day three pick.

Luke McCaffrey, WR — Rice

Son of Broncos WR Ed McCaffrey and brother of Christian McCaffrey, Luke is a former QB-turned-WR who showed tremendous promise in a short period of time. There’s a lot of rough spots to his game as a receiver, but that could be a product of lack of reps at the position.

McCaffrey will likely be a Day 3 pick and he has more upside than most players selected in that range.

Kris Jenkins, DT — Michigan

Projected draft pick: 2nd round

Son of former All-Pro DT Kris Jenkins who played for the Panthers and Jets, his son of the same name was a integral part of the Wolverines National Championship defense. A plus-level starter in the NFL, Kris is a disruptive player with good technique — but he lacks the ideal frame that would push him into the first round.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB — Clemson

Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr is the son of former Eagles linebacker who shares a name. He’s a solid tackling machine who has a natural knack for wrapping up players at the point of attack, and rarely takes bad angles in pursuit.

Trotter Jr. falls down the board a bit due to his lack of size, but there’s potential to become a reliable defensive player.

Next Up In NFL

• NFL Draft 2024: Best available players for Day 3
• The 6 best player-team fits in the 2024 NFL Draft so far
• Luke McCaffrey is more than Christian McCaffrey’s younger brother
• Cooper DeJean isn’t limited by season-ending fibula fracture: “Physically, I’m good”
• New Giants’ safety Tyler Nubin calls himself ‘an everything player’
• Ohio State DT Mike Hall Jr. is ready to work for his new team, the Cleveland Browns

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NFL legend Jerry Rice's son believes he and Caleb Williams could be next Tom Brady-Rob Gronkowski duo

B renden Rice, the son of NFL legend Jerry Rice, is among the crop of talent in the 2024 NFL Draft pool after a few standout years at USC.

Rice played two seasons with Caleb Williams, who is likely to be the No. 1 draft pick to the Chicago Bears on Thursday night. Rice predicted if he and Williams were to play on the Bears, they could potentially be the next legendary duo to grace an NFL field.

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"Man, I'm telling you, we could take it. We could be that next duo – just like Gronk and Tom Brady," Rice told TMZ Sports on Wednesday.

"I've been around the dude – he's a great frickin' person," Rice said of Williams. "And, a hell of a teammate."

Rice transferred from Colorado to USC before the 2022 season. He went from four touchdown catches in 2022 to 12 touchdowns in 2023.

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While at USC , he had 84 catches for 1,402 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The Pro Football Hall of Famer talked about his son at the NFL Scouting Combine in March and how proud he was of his son’s work, which has gotten him to the doorstep of the NFL.

"I'm so proud but I think he [has] worked really hard and he's looking forward to his opportunity," he told the NFL Network. "And I'm just being a parent, I'm just being here to support him.... You know I hear people say to me all the time ‘don't be so critical,’ and stuff like that. But only if he should ask me for information is when I would pass that information on to him.

"But I'm just here as a parent and it's going to be a great opportunity for him, so I'm excited for him."

Brenden Rice is expected to be a Day 2 or Day 3 pick.

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Original article source: NFL legend Jerry Rice's son believes he and Caleb Williams could be next Tom Brady-Rob Gronkowski duo

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Archie Cooley, the college football coach whose innovative offense launched Jerry Rice, has died

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Archie Cooley, the innovative Black college football coach whose offense helped Jerry Rice become a star at Mississippi Valley State, has died, his family announced through the school Thursday. He was 84.

“The MVSU Family sends our condolences to the Cooley Family,” the school said in a social media post, but did not share details about Cooley’s death.

Nicknamed “Gunslinger” for his passion for the passing game, Cooley spent 19 seasons as a head coach at four HBCUs and went 83-78-5.

The Mississippi native played both ways at Jackson State in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in the early 1960s and started his coaching career as a defensive assistant.

He became a head coach for the first time in the SWAC at Mississippi Valley State in 1980. Cooley’s five-wide receiver, no-huddle offense helped revolutionize the passing game at a time when many top programs were still using run-heavy attacks.

The Satellite Express offense, with Willie “Satellite” Totten at quarterback and Rice at receiver, set dozens of NCAA records.

Mississippi Valley State made its only Division I-AA playoff appearance in 1984 with Rice setting records with 112 catches for 1,845 yards and 27 touchdowns in 11 games. Rice went on to become a first-round draft pick for the San Francisco 49ers, the NFL’s most prolific wide receiver and a Hall of Famer.

Totten threw 58 touchdown passes in 1984 and the Delta Devils averaged 60.9 points per game, a record for Division I-AA/FCS that still exists.

Cooley left MVSU after the 1986 season and took over at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, leading the program from NAIA into the SWAC.

Cooley spent one season at Norfolk State in 1993 and then left coaching. He returned in 2000 with Paul Quinn College in Dallas, helping launch the football program there, though it was disbanded due to funding issues in 2006.

Cooley, who was born Sumrall, Mississippi, just outside of Hattiesburg, was inducted into the SWAC Hall of Fame in 2007.

Mississippi Valley State said funeral arrangements for Cooley were pending.

AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ap_top25

Top 100 prospects available for Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft

Looking forward to the final day of the NFL Draft? Here’s a breakdown of the best remaining prospects, including Jaylen Wright, Jaden Hicks and Spencer Rattler

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The NFL Draft continues after an exciting second day in Detroit. Here are my top prospects available for Saturday’s final rounds:

1. Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas, Jr., 6-3, 245 Sanders was the No. 1 athlete in the 2021 recruiting class, and was ranked No. 13 overall nationally. He was originally planning on playing defensive end, but settled on tight end after Steve Sarkisian took over at Texas. Sanders features an above-the-rim skill set, soft hands and ability after the catch. The two-time first-team All-Big 12 honoree was highly productive for the Longhorns the last two seasons, making 99 receptions for 1,295 yards and seven TD receptions on 139 targets. Only Georgia’s Bowers had more receptions and targets among FBS tight ends over that span. Sanders is more scheme-dependent than Bowers, and shouldn’t be utilized in an in-line role at the next level, but he could thrive as a big slot in a wide-open attack.

2. Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri, Sr., 5-11, 179 Abrams-Draine is a former wide receiver who was selected first-team All-SEC and second-team All-American last season. Size will be an issue for some teams — he might not be an asset against the run in the NFL — but he held up well at college football’s highest level while essentially learning on the job. Abrams-Draine produced 40 passes defensed and seven interceptions the last three seasons. He could begin his NFL career as a return specialist while he continues to learn the nuances and develop the anticipation required to play the position.

3. TJ Tampa, CB, Iowa St., Sr., 6-0, 194 The three-star recruit was a wide receiver when he first joined the Cyclones before becoming a three-year starter at cornerback. Tampa’s size, speed and physical mentality is ideal for bump-and-run coverage. He gambles a bit, but his ball skills and long arms usually bail him out.

4. Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina, Sr., 6-1, 234 Gray was a three-star recruit who became a three-year starter for the Tar Heels, producing 100-plus tackles his final three seasons in Chapel Hill. He was the only Power 5 player to average double-digit tackles per game in both 2022 and 2023. He was a multiyear team captain in both high school and college. Gray needs to bulk up a bit, and his aggressive nature can be used against him at times, but his premium athleticism, production and football IQ is indicative of an impact player in the pros.

5. Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon, Jr., 6-1, 176 Franklin was the No. 3 wide receiver in the 2021 recruiting class. He features a rare size-speed-agility combination and projects to be a major open-field, big-play threat. He produced eight receptions of 40-plus yards last season. For being such a burner, he’s actually a crafty route-runner too, although I’d like to see him expand his route tree. Franklin led the Pac-12 in TD receptions each of the last two seasons, and his 25 career touchdowns are a school-record. Only Marvin Harrison Jr. had more TD catches the last two seasons. Franklin will need to get stronger or NFL press corners will bully him and focus drops are part of the package.

6. Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee, Jr., 5-10, 210 Wright didn’t start a single game for the Volunteers his sophomore season, but led the team in rushing nonetheless with 875 yards and 10 TDs. He did it again as a full-time starter his junior season, gaining more yards (1,013) despite fewer carries, leading all FBS running backs in yards per carry (7.4). Wright is an explosive back with good size and breakaway speed, a quarter of his runs went for 10-plus yards (tops in the FBS). Mastering pass-protection and securing the football will determine whether he reaches his full potential in the pros.

7. Brandon Dorlus, DT, Oregon, Sr., 6-3, 283 Dorlus is a plug-and-play pass rusher from the interior, with an array of pass-rush moves, but he’s kind of a tweener. He primarily played off the edge for the Ducks, but his athleticism won’t translate there in the pros. Still, he’s a high-floor, high-character player who can contribute right away.

8. Tanor Bortolini, OL, Wisconsin, Sr., 6-4, 303 Bortolini put on one of the more impressive performances for an O-lineman at the combine, where his 40-yard dash (4.94) tied for second and his two agility runs (4.28 short shuttle and 7.16 three-cone) were first — the three-cone mark broke Jason Kelce’s combine-record for interior lineman. On top of the top-tier athleticism, he’s also highly intelligent (recruited by Harvard and Yale), and features premium versatility. He logged starts at five different positions, including center, both guard positions, right tackle and tight end. Bortolini missed five total games in 2021 and 2022 due to injuries to his right knee.

9. Jaden Hicks, S, Washington St., So., 6-1, 215 Hicks is a two-year starter and tone-setting striker who consistently makes plays downhill. His size and athleticism could make him a capable slot eraser in the NFL. Hicks was highly-productive for the Cougars in 2023, producing 79 tackles, including six for a loss, with 2.5 sacks, six passes defensed, two interceptions (one for a TD), a forced fumble and a blocked field goal. I almost certainly would have included him in my 2025 way-to-early mock draft as a potential first-rounder had he returned to Pullman for his junior year.

10. Mason McCormick, OL, South Dakota St., Sr., 6-4, 309 A former no-star recruit, McCormick ended up a three-time team captain and two-time consensus All-American in the FCS for the Jackrabbits. He’s durable, starting 57 straight games, all at left guard, and played in 70 total games in college (he’ll be a 24-year-old rookie). McCormick made the pre-snap adjustments for protections at South Dakota St., a responsibility coaches usually give to the center. McCormick’s athletic testing at the combine placed him in the 99th percentile for offensive linemen, and earned him a Relative Athletic Score of 9.96, which is the seventh-best all-time out of over 1,500 guard prospects.

11. Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina, Jr., 6-1, 193 This Kent State transfer made third-team All-ACC and led the Tar Heels in TD receptions (seven) despite missing four games due to an eligibility battle with the NCAA. Walker’s speed is undeniable, but he struggled with drops throughout Senior Bowl week. He also runs a very limited route tree, essentially all vertical outside of the occasional screen, but you draft him as a dangerous field-stretcher and hope he can develop into something more. Walker suffered a torn ACL his senior year of high school.

12. Theo Johnson, TE, Penn St., Jr., 6-6, 259 The Canadian was the No. 3 tight end in the 2020 recruiting class. Johnson oozes athletic traits, and led the Nittany Lions in TD receptions (seven) last season, but he only topped 50 yards receiving five times in 45 games. I would’ve liked to see more production, but those are the expectations when you’re this talented. His run blocking is below average for his size, but he’s coachable enough to get better. Johnson produced one of the most impressive athletic showcases ever for a tight end at the combine, earning a 9.99 Relative Athletic Score, the second-highest value for the position in the past 37 years.

13. Austin Booker, Edge, Kansas, So., 6-4, 240 Booker was a three-star recruit who also played basketball in high school. It shows up in the crossover he uses against tackles, and an impressive wingspan attached to a wiry frame. He’ll need to get bigger and stronger, but he features a surprising amount of nuance in his pass-rush abilities for someone who barely stepped on the field before 2023. Booker produced eight sacks for the Jayhawks despite only starting one game and has barely played 500 total snaps of collegiate ball.

14. Christian Mahogany, OL, Boston College, Sr., 6-3, 314 Mahogany is a big, powerful, tone-setting presence on the interior. He has a bully mentality and presents himself as the bouncer of the pocket. The two-time team captain pulls with ease, and is capable of erasing smaller defenders in his way. He may need to learn patience in the pros once he realizes you can’t go for the knockout every play. Mahogany missed his entire junior season after tearing his right ACL over the summer, but he bounced back in a big way, earning first-team All-ACC honors last year.

15. Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest, Jr., 5-11, 193 I wish Carson had more ball production, but he’s a fiery competitor who wins with physicality in coverage and against the run. The four-year starter is also experienced in both man and zone coverage, and versatile enough to play inside or outside. Carson has missed 11 games the last three seasons, and wasn’t able to participate in the Senior Bowl and combine because of a strained left foot.

16. Cade Stover, TE, Ohio St., Sr., 6-3, 247 Stover was the No. 7 outside linebacker in the 2019 recruiting class, and didn’t move to the offensive side of the ball full time until 2022, where he became a two-time team captain and two-time All-Big Ten honoree. He has soft, reliable hands (only two drops on 108 collegiate targets) and was a finalist for the John Mackey Award last season. Stover’s basketball background is obvious, the way he locates and adjusts to the ball, and he features enough speed to threaten teams vertically. He still needs to develop as a blocker to be a three-down asset, but he’s certainly a willing participant.

17. DJ James, CB, Auburn, Sr., 5-11, 175 The Oregon transfer chose to be closer to home after three seasons in Eugene. James led the Tigers in passes defensed both seasons at Auburn and was second-team All-SEC in 2022. Most of his career snaps came on the outside (almost 90 percent), but his size might dictate he competes for a starting nickel role in the NFL.

18. Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina, Sr., 6-0, 211 Rattler was the No. 1 pro-style quarterback in the 2019 class, spending three seasons with Oklahoma before transferring after being benched in favor Caleb Williams. Rattler’s pocket presence has improved dramatically from his days in Norman. He was a two-time team captain for the Gamecocks after gaining a reputation for immaturity early in his collegiate career. (Hmmm, kids being immature when they first get to college? Weird.) Behind a banged-up offensive line, Rattler threw for the third-most passing yards (3,186) in school history last season. He’s an accurate, fundamentally sound QB with decent arm talent, but he’s almost played exclusively in a shotgun system. Rattler will turn 24 in September.

19. Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin, Jr., 6-1, 235 A wrestler since the age of four and national champion on the mat as a freshman in high school, this former four-star recruit at linebacker switched to running back because of depth issues for the Badgers. Allen is super-sized, but features an impressive burst and hitting him high is just a waste of time. Almost 70 percent of his yardage came after contact last season. He’s also one of the better pass-protectors available in this draft at the position. Ball security is an issue (nine fumbles in three season), he doesn’t have much experience as a receiver and his feel for open space is inconsistent, but he’ll only be 20 years old for the entirety of his rookie season so there’s still plenty of time to develop. Allen is the youngest player in this draft class.

20. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson, Jr., 6-0, 228 Trotter’s father, Jeremiah Sr., was a two-time All-Pro with the Philadelphia Eagles. Junior shares some of his father’s skills such as his ability to fly around, trust his instincts and make plays. He led the Tigers in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks in each of the past two seasons. In coverage, NFL athletes will give him some trouble, but he has the pedigree to adjust.

21. Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, OL, Georgia, Jr., 6-4, 298 Van Pran-Granger was the No. 1 center in the 2020 recruiting class (ahead of Peter Skoronski).

He was a two-time team captain for a two-time national champion, and stockpiled All-American and All-SEC accolades while in Athens. He’s a finisher in the run game and features enough athleticism, natural instincts and strength to make an impact in pass protection. Van Pran-Granger is battle-tested and capable of eventually taking on a leadership role for whomever drafts him.

22. Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame, Jr., 5-11, 222 Estime wins with power, agility and balance. He has an average burst through the line of scrimmage, and ran poorly at the combine, but he has enough speed to threaten explosive gains at the second and third level. Estime ranked third in the FBS with 14 carries of 20-plus yards last season. He doesn’t have a lot of experience as a receiver, but he utilizes his size and bulk well in pass protection. Estime led the Irish in rushing as a sophomore and junior (6.2 yards per carry) and set the single-season school record with 18 rushing TDs last season.

23. Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky, Sr., 5-8, 211 Davis was the first college football player to ever rush for 1,000-plus yards at three different FBS programs (Temple, Vanderbilt, Kentucky). He should give a TED Talk on his performance against Florida last season, where he ran for 280 yards and four total TDs. There are bigger and faster running backs than Davis, but his vision, one-cut ability and shiftiness in space makes him a solid prospect for the middle rounds of this draft. He turns 25 in November.

24. Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio St., Sr., 6-2, 233 The two-time team captain is an old-school thumper with impressive instincts and a relentless motor who thrives playing downhill. However, there are limitations to Eichenberg’s sideline-to-sideline range as a run defender, and he’ll need to work on identifying routes in coverage at the next level.

25. Leonard Taylor, DT, Miami, So., 6-4, 303 Taylor was one of the top recruits at his position coming out of high school. He’s an explosive interior defender who can overwhelm opponents when he’s on his game. He has a pro-ready build, but needs to play with more discipline and awareness to unlock superstar mode.

26. Javon Baker, WR, Central Florida, Sr., 6-1, 202 Baker was buried on the depth chart at Alabama, so he took his talents to Orlando. The athletic play-maker finished second in the nation with 21.9 yards per reception and produced five catches of 50-plus yards last season. Baker has NFL-caliber ball skills, but his hands come and go. He features a nice blend of size, athleticism and physicality, but he needs to fine-tune his route running.

27. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech, Sr., 5-10, 197 The former three-star recruit at running back won the state championship in the 200 meters (21.66 seconds) as a senior in high school. He’s undersized, and doesn’t possess the type of play strength the position requires, but he runs like the wind and has the instincts and ball skills to potentially thrive as a nickelback. He had never played defense in his life before committing to the Red Raiders and developed into a rangy ball-hawk, who led the team in interceptions the last three seasons.

28. Malik Washington, WR, Virginia, Sr., 5-8, 191 The senior captain spent four years at Northwestern, before his breakout season with the Cavaliers. Washington set a new ACC-record with 110 receptions and led the FBS with 10 games of 100-plus yards, all coming in his final 11 games. He’s undersized, and needs to develop his route tree, but his instincts and feel for the position are off the charts. Plus, he’s equal parts quick and tough. He produced 35 forced missed tackles last season, which was first among FBS wide receivers. Washington suffered a torn ACL his junior year of high school.

29. Brenden Rice, WR, USC, Jr., 6-2, 208 Rice transferred from Colorado in 2022 to play for Lincoln Riley. I feel like I shouldn’t have to say Jerry Rice’s son has reliable hands, but he does. He also uses his size well. During Senior Bowl week, he displayed the physicality he’s capable of bringing to the table, whether it be as a blocker or in a contested-catch scenario. Rice worked mostly with vertical concepts in Riley’s offense, so it’ll be interesting to see him expand his horizons as a route runner in the NFL, considering his DNA. An impressive 12 of his 45 receptions were for a TD (Almost 27 percent) of last season.

30. Javon Solomon, Edge, Troy, Jr., 6-1, 246 Solomon is short for an NFL edge defender, but he balances that with impressive athleticism and an advanced plan-of-attack to rush the passer — he led the FBS with 16 sacks last season. His size could hinder him against the run at the next level, possibly limiting him to a role as a third-down pass-rush specialist.

31. Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame, Sr., 6-3, 202 The former three-star recruit started out at wide receiver in South Bend before moving to cornerback during his freshman season. The 2023 team captain earned a spot (No. 32) on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” for his lower-body explosiveness and on-field GPS numbers (23.01 mph). Hart had two interceptions against Wisconsin his sophomore season, but produced zero interceptions in his other 47 collegiate games. However, he did play a significant role in helping to hold Marvin Harrison Jr. in check last September in a 17-14 loss to Ohio State. Hart has a history of shoulder injuries dating back to high school.

32. Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville, Sr., 6-0, 221 The former three-star recruit at wide receiver was an accomplished track athlete in high school, winning a state championship as a senior in Indiana in the 100 meters (10.51 seconds). Guerendo spent five seasons at Wisconsin before transferring to Louisville. He’s an impressive blend of size, agility and toughness, but he only started a single game in college, rushing for 161 yards and three TDs against USC in the Holiday Bowl last season. Guerendo is one of just two 220-plus-pound prospects in the last two decades to run a 4.33-second or better 40-yard dash at the combine, joining DK Metcalf. He missed 23 games combined due to multiple hamstring and foot injuries during his time in Madison.

33. Gabriel Murphy, Edge, UCLA, Jr., 6-2, 247 Murphy was a three-star recruit who transferred from North Texas ahead of the 2022 season. He’s short-armed, but he’s slippery and features a premium mix of athleticism and agility. The Bruins used him in creative ways across various alignments. The versatility will serve him well in the pros.

34. Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon, Sr., 6-3, 194 Jackson was the nation’s No. 4 JUCO recruit when he signed with Alabama before ending up in Eugene. He led the Ducks in interceptions (three) and passes defensed (10) after attending four different programs in the previous five years. He gets handsy, but he showed significant improvement in his approach last season. His rare size and strength points to a bright future as a man-to-man defender in the NFL if he continues his ascension. He will be a 25-year-old rookie.

35. Mohamed Kamara, Edge, Colorado St., Sr., 6-1, 248 Kamara doesn’t feature prototypical size and he’ll be a 25 years old as a rookie, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more productive or tenacious player than the 2023 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year. He produced 45.5 tackles for loss, 30.5 sacks and five forced fumbles in his five years at Fort Collins.

36. Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon St., Sr., 5-8, 174 The former three-star recruit was recruited as an athlete because most schools believed he was too small to play wide receiver. Gould features electric speed and shiftiness. He has experience at all three receiver positions for the Beavers, but he only had 100-plus yards twice in the 43 collegiate games (20 starts) he played. His return talent will likely get him on the field first in the pros. Gould was an All-American punt returner his junior season, and led the FBS with 18.3 yards per return, including a pair of touchdowns.

37. Myles Cole, Edge, Texas Tech, Sr., 6-6, 278 Cole spent four years at Louisiana-Monroe before transferring to Lubbock. The production doesn’t match the traits, but the former two-star recruit made himself some money at the NFL combine where he showed a rare combination of height, weight and speed. In a class lacking prototypical size, he stands tall (and wide). His wingspan measures to a full 7-foot-3.

38. Will Shipley, RB, Clemson, Jr., 5-11, 206 The former five-star recruit was also a standout lacrosse player in high school, who won the indoor state championship in the 55-meter dash the only year he ran track. Shipley is a versatile running back with talent as a runner, receiver and kick returner. The two-time All-ACC honoree is the only player in the conference with 2,700-plus rushing yards the last three seasons. Shipley was banged-up throughout college, but he consistently played through injuries.

39. Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU, Jr., 6-1, 295 Scouts are concerned with his length, but Wingo has used his quickness and low center of gravity to his benefit for three seasons as a starter in the SEC — with LSU and Missouri.

40. Khristian Boyd, DT, Northern Iowa, Sr., 6-4, 317 Boyd dominated the Shrine Bowl and his impressive 38 bench press reps at his pro day would’ve been second-best at the combine. These are the types of things an FCS/small-school prospect needs to do during the draft process to get noticed. He features an explosive first step and has proven disruptive against the run. There’s a lot to work with here.

41. Jordan Magee, LB, Temple, Sr., 6-1, 228 Magee was a high school quarterback who became a three-year starter at linebacker for the Owls. He’ll need to add bulk in the pros, but the two-time team captain is an effective blitzer who has proven capable of creating negative plays (23 tackles for loss the last two seasons). Magee can be a special teams contributor right away.

42. Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota St., Sr., 6-0, 218 Davis is a power back with nimble feet. The senior team captain led the FCS in rushing last season (1,578) and was instrumental in the Jackrabbits’ back-to-back national championships. Half of Davis’ 24 career 100-yard rushing performances came in the playoffs. He doesn’t appear to get tired towards the end of games or as a season progresses. Davis missed eight games as a sophomore with a left shoulder injury.

43. Daijahn Anthony, S, Ole Miss, Sr., 6-0, 194 The former no-star recruit began as a walk-on for Shepherd, earning a scholarship, before transferring to Liberty as a preferred walk-on when Shepherd’s season was canceled because of the pandemic. Anthony’s play earned him an opportunity in the SEC with the Rebels as a super senior, where he led the team in interceptions, passes defensed and forced fumbles. He doesn’t feature premium athletic traits, but he brings the pain every time he hits someone. It sounds similar to when a batter in baseball makes contact on the sweet spot of the bat and blasts a moonshot.

44. Cody Schrader, RB, Missouri, Sr., 5-8, 202 The zero-star recruit spent four seasons at Division II Truman State — leading the NCAA in rushing yards with 2,074 in 2021 — before walking on at Missouri, where he went from seventh on the depth chart when he arrived to leading the SEC in rushing (1,627 yards) last season. Schrader lacks explosiveness, but he balances the ledger with elite vision and fearlessness, plus he’s a capable pass-protector with three-down ability. Schrader will turn 25 in September.

45. Jarvis Brownlee, CB, Louisville, Sr., 5-10, 194 Brownlee spent three up-and-down years at Florida State before joining the Cardinals. He was voted the top cornerback on the American Team during practice at the Senior Bowl, and also had an interception in the game. Brownlee is an aggressive press corner with average size, but above-average competitive toughness.

46. Trey Taylor, S, Air Force, Sr., 6-0, 206 Taylor is quicker than fast, but he features solid size for the position and an embarrassment of riches when it comes to intangibles. He was the first player in school history to win the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back in 2023. He was also honored with last season’s Defender of the Nation Award, which is given to a player from one of the nation’s service academies based on exceptional leadership qualities, performance on and off the field, and a high standard of integrity. Some teams might shy away based on his speed, but he’s technically proficient at everything he’d be asked to do in the pros. Taylor’s cousin is Pro and College Football Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed.

47. Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon, Jr., 5-9, 192 A former four-star recruit who wanted more playing time, Irving transferred from Minnesota after one season. He’s shifty and punches above his weight-class. Irving surpassed 1,000 yards rushing in each of his two seasons in Eugene and led all FBS running backs in receptions (56) last season. He also protects the football (one fumble on 570 offensive touches). Irving showed a concerning lack of explosiveness at the combine considering his size, but his floor is probably as a complementary back who can make an impact as a third-down specialist.

48. Jared Wiley, TE, TCU, Sr., 6-6, 249 After three seasons at Texas, Wiley joined the Horned Frogs in search of a bigger role on offense. He led all FBS tight ends with eight TD receptions as a super senior, five of them coming in the red zone. Wiley features the height and length to play above the rim, with impressive ball skills and a massive wingspan. He has reliable hands, only one drop on 120 collegiate targets, but doesn’t break a lot of tackles and he’s surprisingly ineffective as a blocker for a player of his stature.

49. Jamari Thrash, WR, Louisville, Jr., 5-11, 188 Thrash led his team in receptions each of the last three seasons (two at Georgia State, one at Louisville). He’s quicker than fast, but he made plays at all three levels for the Cardinals, including two receptions of 70-plus yards last season. Thrash is a savvy route-runner and a friend to his QB when he’s forced to scramble outside of the pocket. His play strength could be an issue in the pros.

50. Dallin Holker, TE, Colorado St., Jr., 6-3, 234 The former three-star recruit served his two-year church mission (2019-20) before returning to BYU. Frustrated with his role, Holker transferred to Fort Collins for his junior season and led all FBS tight ends in receptions (64) and receiving yards (767). He received 105 targets in one season with the Rams compared with only 59 in his three seasons with the Cougars. He doesn’t add a lot of value as a blocker, but he’s a smooth athlete in space with good feel for making catches in traffic. Holker had 11 receptions of 20-plus yards last season, third most among FBS tight ends behind only Georgia’s Bowers and Texas’ Sanders. His 15 forced missed tackles also ranked third most among all FBS tight ends. Holker was named team captain for Colorado St. despite only spending a single season on campus.

51. Tyrice Knight, LB, UTEP, Sr., 6-0, 233 Knight wasn’t ranked by recruiting services and was forced to go the JUCO route before ending up in El Paso. He’s proven versatile enough to play inside or outside, and has been a tackling machine for the Miners. Knight finished No. 1 in the FBS in solo tackles in 2023 — 84 of his Conference USA-leading 140 tackles were all him. He plays faster than he tests, with no wasted movement when he’s in pursuit. Knight will be a 24-year-old NFL rookie.

52. Tyler Owens, S, Texas Tech, Sr., 6-2, 216 Owens was the No. 9 safety in the 2019 recruiting class and an accomplished track athlete in high school — he was No. 29 on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” in 2023. After playing primarily on special teams his first two seasons with Texas, Owens entered the transfer portal in a search of more playing time. He’s only started 12 games in five seasons, but he features the type of rare size/speed combo defensive coaches salivate over. He’s also been elite on special teams with 10 career tackles and two blocked punts.

53. Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, Purdue, Jr., 5-11, 209 The former three-star recruit at running back played wide receiver at Iowa for four seasons and was a team captain in 2021 before transferring to West Lafayette. Tracy switched back to running back as a super senior, leading the Big Ten in rushing yards per carry (6.3) and scoring nine total TDs, including a 98-yard kick return. His versatility, elusiveness and natural instincts with the ball in his hands are enticing, but overall production was lacking in college, and he will turn 25 in November.

54. Darius Muasau, LB, UCLA, Sr., 5-11, 225 There are some athletic limitations for the Hawaii transfer, but the production is hard to argue against. Muasau led his team in tackles in each of the last four seasons (two for the Rainbow Warriors, two for the Bruins). He was a special teams MVP as a freshman in Hawaii and has played in all 63 games across five seasons — Bill Parcells famously once said, “Availability is the best ability.” Muasau’s vision, play recognition and tackling acumen will translate at any level.

55. Beau Brade, S, Maryland, Sr., 6-0, 203 Brade was a backup and played special teams until his junior season. As a two-year starter, he produced 170 tackles, 14 passes defensed, eight tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and three interceptions for a program known for producing solid defensive backs. The two-time All-Big Ten honoree led the Terrapins in tackles both seasons and was voted team captain in 2023. Brade possesses adequate athleticism to compete in the pros. He is a capable run defender and doesn’t fall for a quarterback’s tricks in coverage.

56. Beaux Limmer, OL, Arkansas, Sr., 6-4, 302 The former three-star recruit was also a competitive power-lifter in high school. It showed at the combine, where he led all participants with 39 bench press reps of 225 pounds. Limmer needs to play with better balance, but he’s athletic, tough and durable with starting experience at both guard positions and center. He’d fit perfectly with any team running Kyle Shanahan’s offense or a variation thereof.

57. Nathaniel Watson, LB, Mississippi St., Sr., 6-2, 233 Watson’s size/speed combination and production are impressive. He became the first player to lead the SEC in both tackles (137) and sacks (10) in the same season in 2023. He’s a heat-seeking missile when he has eyes on the ball-carrier, but his tight hips make him a liability in coverage. Watson’s off-field decision-making will also be scrutinized by NFL front offices.

58. Jaheim Bell, TE, Florida St., Jr., 6-2, 241 The former three-star recruit suffered a torn ACL that ended his senior season of high school. After three seasons with South Carolina, Bell transferred to Tallahassee, where he set career highs in receptions and receiving yards. He was one of 12 FBS tight ends with 35-plus receptions and 500-plus receiving yards. He’s a bit undersized, and a mixed bag as a blocker, but he’s talented with the ball in his hands. Bell’s 8.1 yards-after-catch per reception ranked third among FBS tight ends last season. Both the Gamecocks and Seminoles used him in the backfield, either through motion or at running back, where he would receive carries. He scored three rushing TDs his final season in Columbia and another rushing score with Florida State last year.

59. Brennan Jackson, Edge, Washington St., Sr., 6-4, 264 Coaches will probably like the Temecula native more than scouts do. Jackson is an average athlete with above average play strength, but the two-time team captain wins with all-out hustle and the persistence of a seven year old asking their mother for a candy bar at checkout.

60. Erick All, TE, Iowa, Sr., 6-4, 252 All was the No. 12 tight end in the 2019 recruiting class and committed to Michigan despite growing up in Ohio. After earning honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2021, spinal surgery limited him to only three games in 2022 and he joined the Hawkeyes through the transfer portal. All appeared in only seven games before an ACL injury ended his season. He led Iowa in receiving yards (299) and receiving TDs (three) despite missing half of the season. When healthy, All has prototypical size and features the athleticism and receiving acumen to threaten defenses at all three levels. He also gives consistent effort as a blocker and is capable of intercepting linebackers at the second level. If he checks out medically, he could develop into a major draft steal.

61. Decamerion Richardson, CB, Mississippi St., Sr., 6-2, 188 The former three-star recruit barely touched the football in his four seasons with the Bulldogs. Richardson only had 10 passes defensed and no interceptions. However, he’s an excellent tackler. He led all SEC cornerbacks in tackles both his junior and senior seasons. There’s a lot of work to do in coverage, but his top-tier size and elite speed (4.34 40-yard dash at the combine) are catnip for defensive coaches.

62. Tanner McLachlan, TE, Arizona, Sr., 6-5, 244 After four years at Southern Utah, the Canadian walked on for the Wildcats (while rehabbing an ACL injury). In two seasons in Tucson, McLachlan earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors as a super senior and broke Rob Gronkowski’s school record for career receptions by a tight end (79 to Gronk’s 75). He has room to grow as a blocker, but his athleticism (he has a knack for hurdling defenders), ball skills and basketball background may foretell a promising NFL ceiling if teams look past his age (he turned 25 in March).

63. James Williams, LB, Miami, Jr., 6-4, 231 Williams was the No. 1 safety in the 2021 recruiting class, and a top-15 overall prospect nationally. The further he is from the line of scrimmage, the more questions I have, so a defense that utilizes him primarily in the box in attack mode or to neutralize tight ends will likely put him in position to succeed. Williams features outstanding length and premium athleticism, but he’ll need to play with more discipline (17 penalties in his collegiate career, including nine personal foul/unnecessary roughness flags). There are also some durability concerns (he’s had surgeries on his left shoulder and groin).

64. Sataoa Laumea, OL, Utah, Sr., 6-4, 319 The former four-star recruit became a four-year starter with extensive experience at both right guard (18 starts) and right tackle (26 starts). Laumea is a four-time All-Pac-12 honoree who is scheme-versatile as a run blocker with smooth movement skills and natural power. He needs to be more consistent at sustaining blocks in pass pro and can be susceptible to inside moves. Laumea suffered a sprained MCL and multiple concussions in college.

65. Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona, Sr., 5-8, 168 The former two-star recruit and UTEP transfer is an explosive athlete with sprinter speed. Cowing is undersized and his routes lack continuity, but he finished as a two-time All-Conference honoree in Conference USA and the Pac-12. Over 60 percent of his receiving yards (1,,882) in two seasons with the Wildcats came after the catch. His receptions increased in each of his five collegiate seasons. Cowing is the only FBS player with 85-plus receptions in each of the last two seasons.

66. Jaylen Harrell, Edge, Michigan, St., 6-4, 250 The former four-star recruit’s father, James, was a linebacker at Florida before playing in the NFL and USFL. Harrell features an impressive wingspan, and has room to add extra weight to his frame. He’s shown promise as a run defender and has a legitimate inside spin move he can win with rushing the passer.

67. Tahj Washington, WR, USC, Sr., 5-9, 174 Despite playing for four different head coaches in his five collegiate seasons, Washington was productive when on the field for Memphis and the Trojans. The two-time honorable mention All-Pac-12 honoree is small, there’s no way around it, but he’s also speedy, athletic and fearless. He makes contested catches underneath that others his size can’t. Washington was one of six Pac-12 wide receivers to eclipse 1,000 yards last season, while leading the conference with five receptions of 50-plus yards. He’s an explosive punt and kick returner who also possesses talent as a gunner.

68. Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane, Sr., 6-2, 217 Pratt is four-year starter and three-year team captain who has improved every season in New Orleans. His arm talent won’t wow you, but he throws a very catchable ball. Pratt is lacking top-tier physical traits, but he’s developed a nice feel for the game and offensive coaches will appreciate his efficiency, decision-making and light feet in the pocket.

69. Nelson Ceaser, Edge, Houston, Jr., 6-3, 254 Ceaser was a productive two-year starter and 2023 team captain for the Cougars. There’s work to do if he’s going to be an asset against the run, but he already has a diverse rush toolbox, including a long-arm bull rush, Eurostep, and an effective spin move as a counter, inside and outside.

70. Nehemiah Pritchett, CB, Auburn, Sr., 6-0, 190 Pritchett is long, lean, and extremely fast. He’s special with the ball in his hands. He averaged 27.3 yards per interception return in his career, and 31.3 yards per return as a kick returner his junior season. Pritchett’s tackling technique leaves a lot to be desired, and he’s inconsistent downfield with his back to the ball, but NFL teams are always in the market for the traits he possesses (speed and play-making ability).

71. Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M, Sr., 5-9, 190 There are some off-the-field and durability concerns that need to be cleared up, but the five-year starter was a dynamic playmaker for the Aggies. He blends elusiveness and power with the ball in his hands, becoming the the only 2,000-yard receiver in SEC history to also produce at least 250 yards on rushing attempts, punt returns and kickoff returns. He’s one of better punt returners in this draft class, averaging 10.2 yards per return with a pair of TDs.

72. AJ Barner, TE, Michigan, Sr., 6-6, 251 Barner was a captain at Indiana before transferring to Ann Arbor. He has prototypical size for the position, but lacks the explosive athleticism to be a consistent threat as a receiver. He does have the ability to catch balls in traffic, and can be hard to bring down once he picks up steam. Barner is a technically sound blocker with the toughness and competitive nature teams seek. His ability to consistently get the dirty work done as a blocker in the run game and pass protection will likely earn him a roster spot in the pros. Barner had the largest wingspan among all tight ends at the combine.

73. Dwight McGlothern, CB, Arkansas, Sr., 6-1, 185 The former four-star recruit spent two years at LSU, but transferred to Fayetteville following head coach Ed Orgeron’s departure. McGlothern allowed only one catch of more than 15 yards in 2023, and led the Razorbacks in interceptions and passes defensed in each of the last two seasons. His outstanding route recognition is indicative of a former wide receiver (he played the position at a high level as a prep). He’s long and disruptive, but he’s an average athlete who will need to develop his technique in the pros.

74. Kitan Oladapo, S, Oregon St., Sr., 6-2, 216 Oladapo was a former no-star recruit with a rugby background who was a walk-on for the Beavers, spent six years in Corvallis and was voted team captain in 2023. He isn’t going to wow you with his athleticism, but he’s strong, instinctive and earned All-Pac-12 honors each of the last three seasons. Oladapo would complement a ball-hawking safety, where he could mostly wreak havoc around the line of scrimmage and be utilized as a blitzer.

75. Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida St., Jr., 6-6, 231 A former four-star recruit and Arizona St. transfer, Wilson features rare size and a wingspan made for the hardwood. He isn’t elusive after the catch, but he does break perimeter tackles and rumbles for additional yardage. He doesn’t win as many 50-50 balls as you’d expect, and might benefit from a switch to tight end in the pros. Wilson missed most of his freshman season because of a hamstring injury.

76. Josh Newton, CB, TCU, Sr., 5-10, 190 Newton started 59 games across five seasons in college, starting at the University of Louisiana-Monroe before transferring to Fort Worth in 2022. He could thrive as a press-man coverage defender, but there was definitely a dip in play last season compared to when he first joined the Horned Frogs (especially against Texas’ talented group of receivers).

77. Jaylin Simpson, S, Auburn, Sr., 5-11, 179 The former four-star recruit spent most of his collegiate career at cornerback before switching to free safety last season. He may be switching back in the pros depending on who drafts him. Simpson earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2023, but most teams will consider him too lean for the position. His above-average athletic traits and ball skills should earn him a shot. Simpson suffered a litany of injuries in high school, including a fractured wrist, turf toe and he had to have ankle surgery.

78. Curtis Jacobs, LB, Penn St., Sr., 6-1, 241 Jacobs was a five-star recruit, and the No. 3 outside linebacker in the 2020 recruiting class. The three-year starter checks the size and athleticism boxes, but he never quite fulfilled the hype at State College. I’d like to see more aggression as a tackler, and he’ll have to be more consistent in coverage if he hopes to be more than a backup or special teams contributor in the pros.

79. Sione Vaki, S, Utah, So., 5-11, 213 After serving a religious mission, he joined the Utes prior to the 2022 season. Vaki was a finalist for the Hornung Award in 2023, given to college football’s most versatile player — Colorado’s Travis Hunter won. He played safety and running back (520 total yards and five TDs) because of injuries, and became the first Utah defender with two rushing touchdowns in a single game since Eric Weddle in 2006. There are significant limitations in coverage, but the second-team All-American is a productive tackler with a nose for the ball on special teams.

80. Trevor Keegan, OL, Michigan, Sr., 6-5, 310 Keegan was the No. 16 offensive tackle in the 2019 recruiting class. He was voted captain as a senior and started every game at left guard for the 2023 national champs, while earning All-Big Ten honors in each of his three seasons as a starter. Keegan is an average athlete, but he wears a hard-hat to work and has shown improvement every year at Ann Arbor. He was a key member of a Wolverines’ offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award (nation’s top offensive line) in 2021 and 2022.

81. Kalen King, CB, Penn St., Jr., 5-11, 190 King led all cornerbacks in the country with a 93.3 overall grade and an 18.3 passer rating allowed in single-coverage as a sophomore for the Nittany Lions, according to Pro Football Focus. However, his play took a significant step back in 2023 and he hasn’t tested well during the draft process.

82. Christian Jones, T, Texas, Sr., 6-5, 305 Jones is a former three-star recruit who grew up playing soccer with hopes of going professional and had zero prior experience playing football until his junior season in high school. He has athletic limitations that can be covered up by his strength, dogged mentality, outstanding wingspan and huge hands. Jones was a four-year starter and two-time honorable mention All-Big 12 for the Longhorns, with double-digit starts at right tackle (35) and left tackle (13).

83. Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas, Sr., 6-2, 239 The two-time first-team All-Big 12 linebacker finished with at least 101 tackles and 10 tackles for loss in each of the last two seasons. He also accounted for 10 turnovers (six interceptions and four forced fumbles) over that span. Ford has a tendency to over-pursue and struggles to disengage once a blocker locks on to him, but an NFL strength program and coaching could help alleviate that issue.

84. Javon Foster, T, Missouri, Sr., 6-5, 313 Foster was first-team All-SEC and team captain as a super senior in 2023. He played primarily at left tackle, but he does have experience on the right side. He’s a durable three-year starter whose arm length and cerebral approach as a pass-protector provides more than enough for an offensive line coach to work with. Improving below-average footwork should be the first point of emphasis. Foster’s father (Jerome) was a defensive lineman who was a fifth-round pick (No. 139 overall) in the 1983 NFL Draft, playing four seasons with the Houston Oilers, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets.

85. Brevyn Spann-Ford, TE, Minnesota, Sr., 6-6, 260 The former three-star recruit struggled badly with drops (nine) this past season, but teams may be intrigued by the potential matchup issues he could create as a big slot target. Spann-Ford led the Gophers in receptions (42) in 2022. He’s an aggressive blocker with impressive size and toughness for the position. There’s no way he gets drafted based on his 2023 performance alone (it was that bad), but he was an ascending player the year before and he possesses enough premium physical traits (something coaches can’t teach) to earn him an opportunity. Spann-Ford caught a 2-yard TD pass from Bo Nix for the National Team in the Senior Bowl.

86. Hunter Nourzad , OL, Penn St., Sr., 6-3, 317 Nourzad was a two-time All-Ivy honoree at right tackle for Cornell before transferring to Happy Valley, where he became a two-time All-Big Ten honoree at guard and center. Nourzad is a mauler who gets his kicks punishing anyone attempting to blitz his quarterback. He isn’t an elite athlete, but he’s technically proficient in four of the five offensive line positions. Nourzad turns 25 in November.

87. Ladarius Henderson, T, Michigan, Sr., 6-4, 309 A former three-star recruit with zero football experience prior to his junior season of high school, spent four seasons with Arizona St. before transferring to Ann Arbor. Henderson was a team captain his final year in Tempe and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors his only season with the Wolverines. His playing time was almost evenly split between left tackle (20 starts) and left guard (19 starts). Henderson possesses the athleticism and length an NFL offensive line coach will be happy to work, but there’s a lot of development still required when it comes to technique considering his inexperience.

88. Dylan McMahon, OL, NC State, Sr., 6-3, 299 The former three-star recruit played all three interior positions for the Wolfpack. McMahon made 22 starts at right guard, 14 starts at center and eight starts at left guard. Before his senior season, his position was almost always dictated by another lineman getting hurt, which speaks to McMahon’s durability and adaptability. His lack of size and play strength only makes him viable at center in the pros, but his solid technique, awareness and movement skills will give him a fighting chance. McMahon was No. 63 on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” in 2022.

89. Aaron Casey, LB, Indiana, Sr., 6-0, 230 Casey is limited in coverage, and his range will be tested against NFL speed, but he’s an enforcer who brings the hammer down when he hits. The Hoosiers’ team captain was the only Division I player with 100-plus tackles and 20-plus tackles for loss in 2023.

90. Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Edge, Notre Dame, Sr., 6-5, 239 Jean-Baptiste spent four years at Ohio State before transferring to South Bend. A stomach virus in January caused him to lose 20 pounds, but he was able to regain about half of it back before participating in the Senior Bowl where he struggled. Then he contracted food poisoning right before field testing at the combine, dropping eight pounds overnight. He put together an impressive overall athletic performance despite the bad luck. Jean-Baptiste features a combination of size and movement skills worth taking a chance on day three of the draft.

91. Tyler Davis, DT, Clemson, Sr., 6-2, 301 There are durability concerns after suffering biceps, knee and ankle injuries in college, but the former four-star recruit is an anchor against the run and capable of pressuring the quarterback when healthy.

92. Qwan’Tez Stiggers, CB, Toronto Argonauts, 5-11, 204 Usually CFL players are free to sign with NFL teams once they complete their contracts, but Stiggers’ case is different because he never played college football. After winning the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie award — he produced five interceptions and 12 passes defensed — he declared for the 2024 NFL Draft (and was released from his Toronto contract). Stiggers earned positive reviews at the East-West Shrine Bowl in February, but was snubbed by the NFL Combine. He recently showcased his talents at a pro day, providing solid measurables while running a 4.45 40-yard dash. Stiggers would only be the fourth player in the common era to be drafted into the NFL with no collegiate playing experience.

93. Isaiah Williams, WR, Illinois, Sr., 5-9, 179 A former four-star recruit at quarterback, Williams switched to wide receiver in 2021 and led the Big Ten in receptions (82) last season, becoming the conference’s first player in almost two decades to post back-to-back seasons of 80-plus receptions. The two-time team captain plays bigger than his size, and is capable of using a defender’s leverage against him while varying the speeds of his routes. Williams had 10 fumbles in his collegiate career, including three muffed punt returns.

94. Rasheen Ali, RB, Marshall, Sr., 5-11, 206 Ali hits homers with his patience, explosiveness and agility. He was first in the FBS with seven plays of 50-plus yards (six rushes, one reception) last season. However, his durability is a question mark. Ali ruptured his left bicep at the Senior Bowl, which sidelined him for most of the draft process, and he missed the first 10 games of his junior season after suffering an MCL injury. His touchdown production (40 total during his two healthy seasons) and third-down ability should earn him an opportunity at the next level.

95. Andrew Raym, OL, Oklahoma, Sr., 6-4, 314 Raym was a former four-star recruit, and the No. 2 offensive guard in the 2020 class. He took over starting center duties after Creed Humphrey was drafted in 2021. The three-time All-Big 12 honoree is an average athlete with a high football IQ, and will have to win with technique and toughness in the pros.

96. Kendall Milton, RB, Georgia, Sr., 6-1, 225 Milton was the No. 7 running back in the 2020 recruiting class. Everything screams traditional workhorse, but Milton was rarely asked to handle a workhorse load for the talent-rich powerhouse program. He produced nine rushing TDs and 7.9 yards per carry his final five games for the Bulldogs. He’s a bruiser with a nose for the end zone, but he’s an unproven receiver (only 13 career targets). Milton battled numerous injuries (knee, shoulder and groin) during his time in Athens.

97. Kalen DeLoach, LB, Florida St., Sr., 5-11, 210 The three-year starter looks more like a safety, but only Jared Verse had more sacks for the Seminoles (seven) in 2023. DeLoach is a fast (ran a 4.47 40-yard-dash at the combine), run-and-hit talent with a nose for the football, but he may not have the size or strength to be an every-down player unless he switches positions or he ends up with a creative defensive coordinator. He’s a potential special-teams ace at the next level — 10 career tackles for Florida St.

98. Tulu Griffin, WR, Mississippi St., Sr., 5-10, 181 Griffin was the No. 8 athlete in the 2020 recruiting class. He’s dangerous on reverses and manufactured touches, but he’s undersized and his targets primarily came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. Griffin’s speed and talent in the open field will attract suitors. He averaged 29.3 yards per kick return in college, including two return TDs of 90-plus yards.

99. Xavier Thomas, Edge, Clemson, Sr., 6-2, 244 Thomas was the No. 3 overall recruit in the 2018 class. After tasting early success with the Tigers, he dealt with injuries and depression (something he’s discussed with NFL teams). Thomas is a bit undersized, but he tested extremely well in Indy and at his pro day. His 4.56 40-yard-dash actually improved from the combine where he ran 4.62. Despite playing six seasons in college, he still relies on pure talent and will require more seasoning in the NFL.

100. Walter Rouse, T, Oklahoma, Sr., 6-5, 314 The former three-star recruit and Eagle Scout was two-time honorable mention All-Pac-12 in four seasons at Stanford before joining the Sooners for his final collegiate season. Rouse improved significantly during his short amount of time in Norman. He features functional athleticism, but coaches will appreciate his size and intelligence. Rouse has played exclusively as a left tackle (52 starts) but could be considered as a solid swing tackle prospect with some upside.

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