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It’s been a long time since multiple Long Islanders were picked in the NFL Draft.
Twenty-seven years to be exact.
In 1997, Long Island’s Curtis Canute and Jon Harris were both selected. Harris, a defensive end who played at Kellenberg High School, was picked in the first round by the Eagles and Canute, a linebacker from Amityville, was selected in the sixth round by the Bengals.
The last Long Islander to be picked was Lindenhurst native and Ohio State great tight end Jeremy Ruckert, who was selected by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2022 draft.
Before Ruckert, it was offensive lineman and Elmont native Greg Senat who was picked in 2018 by the Baltimore Ravens. He went in the sixth round. And then in 2014, the Vikings grabbed defensive tackle Stephen Shamar, who played for Long Island Lutheran, in the seventh round.
While a few Long Islanders have been lucky to get “the call,” there haven’t been multiple in one year for nearly three decades. That could change in the 2024 NFL Draft, which happens April 25-27 in Detroit.
Meet the Long Island prospects
Matt Goncalves
Hometown: Manorville
The towering 6-foot-6, 327-pound offensive lineman from Long Island is ready to make some noise at the next level. Matt Goncalves, a tackle coming out of the University of Pittsburgh, is projected to go in Round 3.
“Beefy lineman with experience at both tackle spots who should be able to transition inside if needed,” writes NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein. “The physical traits and two-position potential could make him a middle-round pick with eventual starter potential.”
He spent five seasons with Pittsburgh, serving as an anchor of the Panthers’ offensive line for much of the last four seasons. He was a team captain this fall, but a leg injury forced him to miss all but the first three games of the season.
He lettered four seasons on the basketball team at Eastport-South Manor.
Coming out of high school, Goncalves was the consensus No. 1 offensive line prospect in the state, according to the scouting services.
Dylan Laube
Hometown: Westhampton
The do-it-all running back from the East End saw his draft stock rise after an impressive combine and performance at the 2024 Senior Bowl. He is projected to be a third-day pick in Round 6, according to NFL.com.
“He’s a very capable pass-catcher with the ability to run a variety of routes out of the backfield or from the slot,” writes Zierlein. “While Laube won’t blow NFL teams away as a runner, his potential to return kicks and compete for a role on third downs should give him a leg up in a battle for a roster spot.”
Laube had an incredibly productive career at the University of New Hampshire, earning multiple high honors including First-team Associated Press FCS All-American All-Purpose his senior season. In his final season as a Wildcat, he led the FCS with 2,095 all-purpose yards and tied for second in touchdowns with 18. He also holds nine school records at UNH.
At Westhampton Beach High School, he darted for 2,680 yards his senior season, leading his squad to the 2017 Long Island Class III championship. He also co-won the Hansen Award, the trophy for best player in Suffolk County, with Ruckert.
Check out a full interview with Laube below. The interview begins at 6:45.
Jawhar Jordan
Hometown: Farmingdale
This explosive Farmingale-born running back led the backfield at the University of Louisville last season. While NFL.com projects him as a priority undrafted free agent, other outlets, such as Bleacher Report, see him being plucked in Round 6 or 7.
“Jordan runs with good vision and great processing, making smart cuts and taking the most efficient routes he can,” said Zierlein. “He can compete for third-down reps and has above-average talent as a kick returner.”
Despite a nagging hamstring injury in his final season as a Cardinal, Jordan finished second in the ACC in rushing yards with 1,128. The Syracuse transfer also tacked on 13 rushing touchdowns, tied for third in the ACC.
After spending part of his childhood in Farmingdale, he moved to Arizona where he would star at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz.
In high school, he lettered all four years, while rushing for 1,774 yards with 27 touchdowns as a senior. He was the No. 13 ranked running back prospect in 2018, according to 247Sports.com.
Top: Photos of Matt Goncalves (credit: pittsburghpanthers.com), Dylan Laube (credit: unhwildcats.com/Gil Talbot) and Jawhar Jordan (credit: gocards.com)
