A mock draft … with movies
May 3, 2017
Colonels sweep; clinch postseason spot
May 3, 2017
On Saturday afternoon, surrounded by his closest friends and immediate family, Houma native Elijah McGuire got the phone call he’s been waiting for his whole life.
On the other end of the line was a representative with the New York Jets.
The two chatted briefly, though McGuire knew exactly the purpose of the call as soon as his phone rang.
His dream was officially coming true.
After more than 20 years of hard work, McGuire was finally a professional football player.
The Jets drafted McGuire in the sixth-round of the 2017 NFL Draft – the icing on the cake of a lifelong journey, which has had seen the Houma native sacrifice blood, sweat and tears to reach his goal.
As the pick was announce, McGuire remained level headed, while those in his watching party expressed excitement.
People around the Houma-Thibodaux area also voiced support on social media, expressing pride and happiness toward McGuire, who was a four-year star at UL-Lafayette before ascending to the professional ranks.
“It’s just an unbelievable feeling,” McGuire said. “It’s something that can’t be described or measured. It’s something that is like pride, but it feels bigger and better than pride. I’m thankful to the Jets, I’m thankful to the coaches at UL, and I’m thankful to all of the people here who supported me. I’m focused now on going up to New York, working my tail off and doing the best I can to earn my spot on their team.”
The Jets were attracted to McGuire because of his playmaking ability.
With the Ragin’ Cajuns, McGuire was a multi-year star – one of the best players in the history of the UL-Lafayette football program.
As a freshman, he rushed 103 times for 863 yards and eight touchdowns – enough to win the Sun Belt Conference’s Freshman of the Year Award.
McGuire did one better a year later, rushing 166 times for 1,264 yards and 14 scores as a sophomore, while winning the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year.
“He’s a weapon,” UL-Lafayette coach Mark Hudspeth said after that season. “He can hurt an opponent in a multitude of ways, and he’s even more effective because he’s humble, willing to learn and willing to keep working hard each and every day.”
McGuire’s efficiency slowed a little in his final two seasons in Lafayette, but he remained one of the most productive backs in the league – even while battling injury.
In 2015, McGuire rushed 209 times for 1,047 yards and 13 touchdowns, while catching 34 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns.
He contemplated leaving for the NFL after his junior season, but opted to return to the Ragin’ Cajuns to finish his eligibility and earn his degree.
That decision was a wise one, as McGuire rushed 232 times for 1,127 yards and seven touchdowns this past year – enough to become the Ragin’ Cajuns’ all-time leader in yards from scrimmage.
“I just wanted to finish what I started,” McGuire said on his decision to return to school. “I wanted to get better, give myself a chance to get picked higher, then finish what I started with my team.”
With the Jets, McGuire’s versatility will be put to the test, because he will have to earn every, single thing presented to him – the life of a late-round NFL Draft pick.
McGuire met with the Jets before the draft, traveling up to New York for meetings with the team’s executive staff.
During those meetings, Jets General Manager Mike Maccagnan said he was impressed with McGuire’s work ethic and skill set.
During a post-draft news conference, Maccagnan said he believes McGuire can be a man of many hats at the next level.
“We liked that he’s willing and able to do a multitude of things,” Maccagnan said. “We think he’s skilled with the ball in his hands. We think he can catches passes out of the backfield and also hold his own when blocking and attempting to pick up blitzes. We also look at him as someone who can contribute on special teams – and just be a solid, all-around player for us on our football team.”
But perhaps more important than it all is just the journey and the fact that after all this hard work and dedication, McGuire can now finally call himself an NFL player.
During his phone call with the Jets, which was recorded and posted on NFL.com, McGuire thanked the Jets for picking him and promised head coach Todd Bowles that he would give 100 percent effort every, single day.
He then spoke to Woody Johnson, who had a clear message to the Houma native.
“You’re in the Big Apple now,” Johnson said with a smile. “We can’t wait to see you. I look forward to meeting you, and I think you’re going to like the Big Apple. There’s a lot going on here. It’s a lot more than just football.”
After the initial calls were made, McGuire stayed at his draft party and soaked it all in. He hugged supporters who spent the afternoon with him to honor the day. Afterward, he took pictures with kids, signed autographs and did whatever he could to make sure people felt at home.
He said the day wasn’t all about him, but was about everyone in Houma who supported him along the way to get to this point.
He said he wanted to speak directly to younger players and tell them that with hard work, great things can, indeed, happen.
“I have a lot of work to do, but I want everyone out there in the next generation to see that it can be done,” McGuire said. “I want everyone else to chase their dreams, too.”
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