For the first time in Notre Dame College football history a former Falcon football player has made an opening day 53 man roster. Jaleel McLaughlin after two years at NDC went on to Youngstown State and took the unconventional route of going from an undrafted rookie to making the Denver Broncos 53 man roster, this became official on Tuesday afternoon. McLaughlin was one of three Broncos running backs to make the team (joining Samaje Perine and Javonte Williams) and his prowess on special teams was a big help in accomplishing that feat.
The names that have gone through the program include Marvelle Ross, Adam Treneff, Zaire Mitchell_Paden and Chris Brimm just to name a few. Before Tuesday afternoon no-one who came through South Euclid had made it this far in there NFL journey. It came as no surprise that McLaughlin bucked that trend.
"There is no single person more deserving than Jaleel, former NDC head coach and current Lenoir Rhyne head coach Mike Jacobs said. Those that know him or have been around him aren't surprised by this at all. We've seen him overcome so much through his faith and work ethic. I am very proud to have been part of his journey, "Jacobs explained.
"I am absolutely ecstatic for Jaleel and the opportunity he has earned with the Denver Broncos, former NDC offensive lineman Adam Riegler mentioned. Jaleel has busted through every expectation possible and exceeded it to the highest level, the Denver Broncos got an absolute steal with Jaleel and soon everyone will know Jaleel's name like we've known for years, "Riegler said.
Current NDC quarterback Isaiah Murphy agreed:
"I was only Jaleel's teammate for one year but you could tell from day one that he was going to make it to the NFL one day. His work ethic is second to none, he was always a great teammate and great person in the community."
Former NDC kicker Tanner Harding gave his thoughts:
"Jaleel was always the hardest working player on the field. I remember when he was running sprints the evening after our conditioning test when everyone else could barely walk. Super happy for him and his family!!
Then the voice of Falcons football Eric Little summed it all up:
"Jaleel raced his way into the hearts of football fans at both NDC and Youngstown State through hard work and an incredible amount of God given talent. It's no surprise to me that those same traits allowed him to make it to the NFL. In a month when he was playing for his NFL future, Jaleel stepped up and delivered the goods.. just as he did numerous times in college when he came through in the clutch."
The journey is far from over. On September 10th at Empower Field at Mile High McLaughlin will take the field with the rest of the Broncos when they take on the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. If you don't know his name now you soon will.
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