BY RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

The River Parishes are known as a football hotbed. The NFL apparently knows it as well as anybody.

Former LSU and West St. John defensive end Tyson Jackson highlighted a list of local athletes that were officially drafted or signed by NFL teams this past weekend.

Jackson, who was selected third overall by the Kansas City Chiefs at the NFL Draft Saturday, is joined by former LSU and WSJ teammate Quinn Johnson (drafted in the fifth round by the Green Bay Packers), former St. Charles Catholic and Louisiana-Lafayette running back Tyrell Fenroy (signed to a three-year contract by the Chicago Bears), LaPlace native and former Florida Gator offensive lineman Jason Watkins (signed by the Houston Texans.)

Jackson and Johnson are the first West St. John athletes selected since Terry Robiskie in 1977. (Incidentally, Robiskie’s son Brian, a wide receiver for Ohio State, was drafted in the second round by the nearby Cleveland Browns.)

“There’s a lot of excitement here,” said West St. John coach Robert Valdez. “We put pro athletes on such a high pedestal. People can say, ‘Hey, I know this person. He was my neighbor. I saw him grow up.’ And it gives them a sense of pride in their community.

“The best part is they’re classy people. They’re great ambassadors of our community, hard working, dedicated, ambitious young men who are achieving their goals.”

Said former West St. John coach Laury Dupont, who coached both players: “As far as I’m concerned, it’s one of the greatest moments of my coaching career. People say you can’t make it coming from a small school. But it goes it show its not where you come from, but the talent and character that you have.”

Jackson, who led West St. John to two state championships in 2003 and 2004 along with Johnson, is now the highest LSU defensive player to ever be selected in the NFL draft. In his senior season at LSU, he recorded 36 tackles, 10.5 for losses, and 4.5 sacks.

He’s projected as the end in Kansas City’s new 34 defensive scheme — his projected ability to play in that scheme is part of what raised his stock.

“It made him a very hot commodity before the draft,” said Dupont.

Johnson, known for his crushing blocks as a fullback, was taken by the Packers with the 145th pick, is considered one of the best blocking fullbacks ever at LSU. He scored three touchdowns this past season, and saw his stock rise after an impressive showing in the Senior Bowl where he caught passes and ran for a score.

“He was one of only two fullbacks to get drafted, which says a lot about him. A lot of teams won’t draft a fullback, they’ll just try to sign one,” said Dupont. “He’s a strong kid that’s never been hurt. Neither has Tyson, and that’s another plus.”

Fenroy is one of only seven players in the history of college football to rush for at least 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons. His career rushing yardage mark of 4,656 is a Louisiana, ULL and Sun Belt conference all-time record. He scored 44 times as a senior at St. Charles Catholic.

“I feel great,” said Fenroy. “This is what I’ve always wanted, from little league and high school, to have a shot to play in the NFL.”

Fenroy said his decision to sign with Chicago came a result of high interest by the Bears, who now boast two former Louisiana college standouts in Fenroy and Matt Forte.

“I asked my agent who was showing the most interest. It was not about how much money was on the table,” Fenroy said. “I had to know who really wanted to sign me, who was truly willing to give me a shot to come play. I made my decision based on that.”

Watkins, a 6-6, 310 pound offensive tackle with Florida, protected Tim Tebow as the Gators won the BCS national championship this past season. A team captain at Florida, he grew up in LaPlace, and relocated to Lakeland, Florida after his eighth grade year. He attended middle school at Lake Pontchartain.