With the NFL season kicking off this week, Long Beach football fans will recognize some familiar names on the field – including three former standouts from Long Beach Poly. The city also has others in supporting roles across the league.
Poly
Long Beach Poly continues to lead the city and the nation as one of the top producers of NFL talent and that continued this year with three Jackrabbits suiting up for teams.
Juju Smith-Schuster is now the longest tenured Jackrabbit active for an NFL. Entering his ninth season, Smith-Schuster is back with Kansas City Chiefs after signing a one-year deal during the offseason to bolster the teams receiving corps. He will be a veteran for the Chiefs and is looking to build on his connection with Patrick Mahomes.
Jack Jones is with the Dolphins as a defensive back for his fourth season in the league. Jones signed a 1-year deal with Miami in July. With the Raiders last season, Jones had 50 tackles and three interceptions.
Alex Austin is a defensive back with the New England Patriots. After appearing in nine games and recording 18 tackles, grabbing one interception and breaking up seven passes, Austin re-signed with the Patriots this offseason on a one-year deal.
One face that was a staple for the Jackrabbits in the NFL for two decades is Marcedes Lewis who is currently looking to make a roster for a historic 20th season after playing for the Bears in 2024.
Alissa Lieppman is an NFL Vice President for Culture and Business Culture for NFL Media and Dabness Atkins is a scout for the Minnesota Vikings.
Wilson
Wilson alum Joel Bitonio enters his 12th year with the Cleveland Browns and continues to add on to his hall of fame resume. Last season he was a Pro Bowler for the seventh straight season and is looking to add to that this season as an anchor for the Browns offensive line.
Lakewood
Lakewood and LBCC alum Matt Pryor is back with the Philadelphia Eagles for his seventh season in the league. Pryor will be asked to play multiple positions along the offensive line. Pryor started his career with two years in Philly, then two in Indianapolis,and one in San Francisco before being a backup with the Bears last season.
Jordan
Jordan alum John Timu is with the Atlanta Falcons after joining the team as a defensive assistant in 2024. Last season, Timu helped the Falcons defense register 31 sacks. This is Timu’s second stint as a defensive assistant after spending three years with the Chargers from 2021-2023.
