USA Football’s U.S. National Youth Tackle Team program has a rich history. Its alumni base includes a multitude of college All-Americans, half a dozen NFL All-Pros, more than a dozen first-round selections and over 80 players who have passed through the professional ranks during the past decade. The 2023 NFL Draft cycle produced a new set of icons as teams selected four National Team alumni while more signed contracts with clubs as undrafted free agents (UDFAs).  

Julius Brents was a cornerback on the 2018 U-19 National Tackle Team that defeated Team Canada 47-7 in International Bowl IX at AT&T Stadium. As a member of the National Team, he played alongside many other members of the 2023 draft class, including USF’s Brad Cecil, Maryland’s Jacob Copeland, Florida’s Trey Dean III, Michigan’s Gemon Green, Oklahoma State’s Tyler Lacy and Michigan’s Luke Schoonmaker. Current NFL players Brian Asamoah, Rashod Bateman, Hassan Haskins and Darian Kinnard also played on the 2018 U-19 National Tackle Team.  

Brents spent three seasons at Iowa before transferring to Kansas State. He played in 46 career games with 32 starts with both the Hawkeyes and Wildcats, which included 27-straight starts over his two-year career in Manhattan, Kan. as he earned All-Big 12 honors both seasons.  

Luke Schoonmaker was selected in the second round (No. 58 overall) by the Dallas Cowboys. Schoonmaker was a tight end on the 2018 U-19 National Tackle Team and took part in the 2023 Shrine Bowl. He was a two-time All-Big Ten selection who appeared in 43 games with 20 starts.  

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected defensive lineman Tyler Lacy in the fourth round (No. 130 overall). Lacy was a defensive lineman on the 2018 U-19 National Tackle Team that participated in International Bowl IX at AT&T Stadium.  The 2023 Senior Bowl participant spent five years at Oklahoma State University where he totaled 113 tackles, including 30 tackles for loss. 

The AFC East champion Buffalo Bills selected cornerback Alex Austin in the seventh round (No. 252 overall). Austin was a cornerback on the 2018 U-19 National Tackle Team that won the 2018 IFAF World Championship in Mexico City. Austin played in 36 games and tallied 140 tackles during his four years playing for Oregon State University.  

Jaxson Kirkland signed as an UDFA with the Cincinnati Bengals. He was an offensive tackle on the 2017 U-19 Tackle National Team. Kirkland earned First Team All-Pac-12 honors in 2020, 2021 and 2022, and the Associated Press selected him as a Third Team All-American at guard in 2022.  

The Detroit Lions signed UDFA center Brad Cecil shortly after the draft. Cecil was a center on the 2018 U-19 Tackle National Team. He was a member of the University of South Florida Bulls and finished his career with 53 games played and 50 starts, both of which rank tied for second all-time at USF.  

UDFA Khalan Laborn signed with the NFC West champion San Francisco 49ers. Laborn was a running back on the 2017 U-19 Tackle National Team. The former five-star recruit spent several seasons with Florida State before transferring to Marshall. As a member of the Thundering Herd, Laborn earned First Team All-Sun Belt honors and led the conference with 302 carries for 1,513 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2022. 

Wide receiver Jacob Copeland signed as an UDFA with the Tennessee Titans. Copeland played on the 2018 U-19 Tackle National Team and participated in the 2023 Shrine Bowl. Copeland played at the University of Florida for four years before transferring to the University of Maryland, where he appeared in 12 games and averaged 14.5 yards per reception.  

Avery Davis was a quarterback on the 2017 U-19 National Tackle Team. Coming out of Cedar Hills High School in Texas, Davis was the No. 8 dual-threat quarterback according to 247Sports. Davis primarily played wide receiver at Notre Dame. He was named a team captain prior to the 2022 season.   

Gemon Green was signed as an UDFA by the New York Giants. Green and his twin brother, German, were defensive backs on the 2018 U-19 National Tackle Team who both committed to the University of Michigan. Gemon was an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2022.     

The New York Jets signed UDFA Trey Dean III. He was a safety on the 2018 U-19 Tackle National Team and participated in the 2023 Shrine Bowl. Dean, a 2017 Under Armour All-American, played collegiately for the University of Florida Gators. After making the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2018, he went on to play in 62 games in his career at UF.  

The reigning Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs signed UDFA Martez Manuel, who played for the 2019 U-19 Tackle National Team. The defensive back played in 46 games during his four seasons at the University of Missouri, amassing 11 sacks and 194 tackles.