The NFL season has arrived. While you are enjoying snacks and drinks watching games this season, you might just spot some local athletes.
Here’s a look at the players from the Southwest Regional Publishing coverage area:
Sebastian Castro, Richards, safety: Castro played five years at Iowa, finishing with 163 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, two sacks and four interceptions. The two-time All-Big Ten pick, went undrafted but signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is on Pittsburgh’s practice squad.
Jake Elliott, Lyons, kicker: Elliott is entering his ninth year in the NFL, all with the Philadelphia Eagles. He earned his second Super Bowl ring in February, going 8-for-8 on kicks with four field goals and four extra points. He looks to be picking up right where he left off as he went 1-for-1 with a 58-yard field goal and went 3-for-3 on extra points in an opening night win over the Cowboys on Sept. 4.
Dan Feeney, Sandburg, offensive line: Feeney is entering his ninth season in the NFL and is now with the Buffalo Bills. The Orland Park native played eight games last season and is a player who will do anything to get on the field — even if it means changing position. He began his career as a left guard but has also played center and tight end. Feeney is on the Bills practice squad.
Jamarco Jones, De La Salle, offensive tackle: Jones played 36 games for the Seattle Seahawks from 2019-2021, but did not play in 2022 and 2023. Last season, Jones played in two games for the Detroit Lions. The tackle signed a new contract with them in the offseason and earned a spot on their 53-man roster. But he has been dealing with injuries and has been played on the injured reserve list. He will miss the first four weeks of the season.
Julian Love, Nazareth, safety: Love is entering his seventh season in the NFL and his third with the Seattle Seahawks. He’s coming off a career-high 17 starts, which included his third straight season with 100 tackles. He’s projected to once again be Seattle’s top safety.
J.J. McCarthy, Nazareth, quarterback: One of the biggest storylines in the NFL this year is how McCarthy will fare in his first season after missing all of last year with a torn meniscus suffered in the preseason. The No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft had a stellar three-year career at Michigan which concluded with a national championship. The soon-to-be-father and starting quarterback has a big year ahead.
Pat O’Connor, St. Rita, defensive end: After six seasons, 68 games and one Super Bowl ring with the Tampa Buccaneers, Pat O’Connor signed with the team that originally drafted him. Last season, the defensive end played 12 games in his return to the Detroit Lions. This offseason, he re-signed with the team in the offseason.
CJ West, Nazareth, defensive tackle: West spent four years at Kent State, compiling 110 tackles, before transferring to Indiana last season. He had 40 more tackles and two sacks for the Hoosiers. West was taken by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round, 113th overall, and starts the season on the active roster.
Xazavian Valladay, Brother Rice, running back: Valladay joined his fifth NFL team this offseason for training camp. He’ll start the season as a member of the Minnesota Vikings practice squad.