With today’s start of a new NFL season, Long Beach football fans can expect new storylines, but the same story–seven Long Beach natives (including five Long Beach Poly products) will suit up on Sundays this year.
Long Beach Poly
The nation’s best high school at producing NFL talent for a century at this point, Long Beach Poly once again will have plenty of alums to keep track of in the NFL ranks, as well as the NCAA. Five Jackrabbits will suit up for teams this year, with a former coach running the show as well.
The ageless wonder, Marcedes Lewis, graduated Poly more than 22 years ago, and enters his 19th season in the NFL. He’s extending his NFL record for most seasons played at the tight end position as he plays for the Bears this year, and will be one of two NFL players this year over the age of 40 (Aaron Rodgers is the other). Only one other tight end in NFL history has played a game at 40 years old or older.
To give a sense of how long his NFL career has lasted, his high school foe, college and NFL teammate Maurice Jones Drew’s son is now playing at De La Salle High, where MJD played when he and Lewis suited up against each other in the Poly/De La Salle national title game in 2001.
JuJu Smith-Schuster had a busy offseason after being released by the Patriots, signed by the Chiefs, released by the Chiefs, and then signed by the Chiefs again. It will be the eighth NFL season for the wide receiver Smith-Schuster, who is still just 27 years old.
Jack Jones is back with the Raiders as a defensive back for his third NFL season, looking to repeat the breakout success he had as a ballhawk for the team last year. He will be coached by his high school coach, Antonio Pierce, the former Poly head coach who became the first Moore League coaching alum to become the head coach of an NFL team when he got the job over the offseason.
Alex Austin was taken in the seventh round of the NFL draft in 2023 and stuck with New England last year; he will suit up for the Patriots as a defensive back once again this year.
The feel-good story of the city is Aaron Shampklin, the Poly and Harvard alum who’s been around the league the last two years. He was one of the last cuts for the Steelers before the season started, but made their practice squad to remain in the NFL.
The Jackrabbits have a growing group of alums in other roles around the league. Alissa Lieppman is an NFL Vice President in charge of planning and culture; Dabness Atkins signed as a scout with the Vikings this offseason.
Wilson
Wilson alum Joel Bitonio continues his career as the most successful Bruin NFL product, and one of the best in city history. He enters his 11th season and was last year named to his sixth Pro Bowl, most of any NFL alum out of Long Beach. Bitonio jokingly said this offseason that he won’t be chasing Marcedes Lewis’ longest-tenured LB alum record, but Bitonio has a good chance to continue to distance himself with the city’s Pro Bowl record this year with the Browns.
Lakewood/LBCC
Lakewood and LBCC alum Matt Pryor enters his sixth season in the league as an offensive lineman, after spending two years in Philly, two in Indy, and last year with the 49ers. The longest-tenured Lakewood alum in the NFL ever, Pryor will be a backup lineman with the Bears this year.
Jordan
John Ross made a comeback in the Spring and Summer, spending several months with the Eagles; he was released prior to the start of the season but is still chasing an opportunity to get back in the NFL for a sixth season. He worked out with the Saints earlier this week.
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