By Demetrius Dillard
It is no secret that Connecticut isn’t particularly known as a football state – well, at least not to the extent of Georgia, Florida, Texas or California.
However, several football players with ties to Connecticut are looking to make an impact in the professional ranks in light of this year’s recent NFL Draft.
This upcoming season, six athletes will be playing in the NFL who are either natives of the state, or played high school football, college football or a combination of the three.
The most notable headline to Connecticuters who follow football was the selection of New Haven native Travis Jones to the Baltimore Ravens as the 76th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The stocky-but-explosive defensive tackle was a projected second or late first-round pick, but was selected in the third round.
Jones, who stands about 6-foot-5 and weighs 325 pounds, starred for the UCONN football program. He totaled a career-high 48 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss last season, which was quite impressive to pro scouts; also, he is said to have potential as a dangerous pass rusher, especially after a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.
“I always had this dream as a kid,” said Jones, a Wilbur Cross High School alumnus. “To have it come true was a big deal to me and my family.”
Andrew Stueber is the other Connecticut native on his way to the NFL. The 6-foot-7, 325-pound offensive tackle from Darien was drafted to the New England Patriots as the 245th overall pick.
Stueber, the University of Michigan football team’s offensive lineman of the year last season, is a graduate of Darien High School. “I’m excited to get to the next level. I’m excited to bring my leadership, my toughness, and just improve culture, and play call again,” Stueber said in a recent interview with the NFL Network.
The three remaining players planning to be a part of the NFL’s newest wave of talent with Connecticut ties aren’t natives, but either played high school or college ball in state — of whom are Ryan Van Demark, Josh Jobe and Brad Hawkins.
Denmark, a four-year starter at UCONN, was a standout offensive tackle with the football program. The towering 6-foot-7, 300-pounder signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on a deal that includes $175,000 guaranteed, according to NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero.
The New Jersey native reportedly increased his draft stock after an impressive pro day, giving NFL scouts a glimpse of what he brings to the offensive front, including good size and athletic abilities, among other attributes.
“Beyond blessed for this next chapter! Let’s go to work!” Denmark wrote in a tweet.
Cornerback Josh Jobe, a former football player at Cheshire Academy, signed with the Philadelphia Eagles after going undrafted.
Jobe has been esteemed an exceptional special teams player with the potential of making an immediate impact on the next level. During his time on the University of Alabama football team, he totaled 129 tackles, three interceptions and 19 pass deflections.
According to a draft analysis, Jobe – a Miami native – is a “versatile cornerback who can translate quickly to the NFL game because of his athletic prowess.”
Brad Hawkins, a safety who is coming off his most productive season with the University of Michigan’s football program, signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent.
“Michigan safety Brad Hawkins isn’t the fastest prospect, he isn’t the strongest, but he has attributes that could land him on an NFL roster,” wrote Trevor Woods of SB Nation.
The Suffield Academy graduate is from Camden, N.J., and will certainly look to make his presence known in the pros.
