Louisiana has been known for being one of the best football states per capita, and once again, the Boot shows off its talent at the highest level in the NFL. In fact, six former Louisiana high school football players will get the chance to play in the biggest game of them all, which is the Super Bowl.
Two of the six Louisiana natives represent the NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles on the active roster in running back Boston Scott and wide receiver DeVonta Smith.
Scott, who prepped at Zachary High School and played his college football at Louisiana Tech, was one of the leading backs for the NFL’s number one rushing attack rushing for 241 yards and three touchdowns this season. He also played a key role in the Eagles’ NFC Championship win this past Sunday with a touchdown run in the 31-7 victory over the 49ers.
Smith is trying to make history as the fifth player to win the Heisman, a National Championship, and a Super Bowl. Coming out of Amite High School in Amite, Louisiana as a five star prospect, the “Slim Reaper” lived up to the hype winning the Heisman Trophy, setting seven school records, and being a two time National Champion as one of the greatest players to ever play for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Now, he is a top receiver and one of the best offensive players for the Eagles after having 95 catches for 1,196 yards and seven touchdowns.
On the AFC side representing the Kansas City Chiefs, there are three former Louisiana high school football players that also have a chance of winning a Super Bowl in running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, safety Justin Reid, and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed.
Edwards-Helaire was a star running back coming out of Catholic High School in Baton Rouge and signed with the LSU Tigers. It was not until 2019 in which the Baton Rouge native broke out as the Tigers’ RB1. As one of the star players on LSU’s 2019 National Championship team, he ran for 1,414 yards, which ranked third-most in a single season in school history, and had 16 touchdowns on 215 carries while also having another 55 catches for 453 yards and another touchdown as a receiver. After the 2019 season, Edwards-Helaire entered the NFL Draft where he was drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. This season, Edwards-Helaire got hurt in Week 11 as he suffered a high ankle sprain and has not been back in the lineup since.
Reid, who is the younger brother of former LSU and San Francisco 49ers/Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid, was a standout at Dutchtown High School in Geismar, Louisiana and also at Stanford where he was a 1st Team All-Pac 12 selection for the Cardinal. Drafted by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Reid had a very productive first four years in Houston before being picked up by the Chiefs. This season, Reid has led a Chiefs defense that has been good all season with 83 tackles, seven pass deflections, and a sack.
Sneed is another Chiefs defensive back from Louisiana as he prepped at Minden High School in Minden, Louisiana and played his college football at Louisiana Tech where he was 2nd Team All-Conference USA. Drafted in the fourth round by the Chiefs in 2020, Sneed has become a steal for Kansas City and has thrived as one of their best defensive players. This season, Sneed has helped the Chiefs reach the Super Bowl by having 75 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 11 passes defended, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and three interceptions.
It is also worth noting that even though Cameron Tom is not on the Philadelphia Eagles’ active roster and is one the Eagles’ practice squad, the former Catholic High Bear and Southern Miss Golden Eagle is another Louisiana native that has a chance to win a Super Bowl. Whether it is Tom or Edwards-Helaire, it means that at least one former Catholic High player will come away with a Super Bowl ring joining the likes of other Grizzly greats such as Warren Capone and Donnie Jones.
No matter who comes out victorious in Super Bowl 57, Louisiana will surely be represented on top of the NFL universe.
