From Underdogs to NFL Stardom: Unveiling the Pro Football Journeys of Last Chance U Players

Summary

Several Last Chance U players have made it to the NFL, such as Rejzohn Wright, John Franklin III, and Dakota Allen.

However, not all players showcased in the series had a secure path to NFL stardom, as some encountered legal issues or chose to depart from football altogether.

Coach Jason Brown, who appeared in seasons 3 and 4, resigned from Last Chance U and later faced fraud charges for sending offensive texts to one of his players.

Last Chance U focuses on the shared goal of players leaving junior college football for better opportunities, with some players successfully making it to the NFL. The Netflix docuseries tells the challenging stories of young men pursuing their dreams in football, although only a few find success. Initially centered on the East Mississippi Community College Lions for two seasons, the series then shifted to the Independence Community College Pirates in Kansas. These athletes faced numerous obstacles while seeking their "last chance" in the sport. After several seasons, the show moved to Laney College in Oakland, California for its fifth and final season focused on football before introducing the Last Chance U: Basketball spinoff. Throughout the five seasons, certain individuals and their potential have stood out. As Indy and Laney alums graduate or move on, the number of Last Chance U players in the NFL may continue to grow. Here's an overview of Last Chance U and what has become of the featured athletes.

Rejzohn Wright (Season 5)

Rejzohn Wright embarked on his college journey at Laney College, showcasing his skills for two seasons. During this time, he made an appearance on Last Chance U, leaving fans wondering about his whereabouts. The documentary series featured him in its fifth season, ultimately leading him to a choice between Oregon State and UCF (University of Central Florida). Wright decided to pursue his education at Oregon State, where he achieved remarkable success. In the year 2021, he started all 13 games for the team and earned recognition as an All-Pac-12 first-team player.

However, his breakthrough moment arrived when he secured an opportunity in the NFL. On April 29, 2023, Wright signed with the Carolina Panthers practice squad. Unfortunately, the team opted to release him in August, just before the start of the 2023 NFL season. The silver lining in this setback was his subsequent signing with the Las Vegas Raiders in October 2023. Joining their practice squad, he eagerly aims to leave an indelible mark and finally make a name for himself in the league.

John Franklin III (Season 1)

The quarterback from Last Chance U season 1, who played for EMCC, transferred to Auburn in 2016. The following year, he switched positions to become a wide receiver at Florida Atlantic University. Notably, he is one of the Last Chance U players who made it to the NFL. Though undrafted, Franklin joined the Chicago Bears practice squad in 2019. Shortly after, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Franklin was eventually promoted to the active roster for the final game of the 2019/2020 season. He stayed on the roster, hoping to get playing time alongside the renowned NFL MVP Tom Brady. However, he suffered a leg injury during training camp and did not play in that season. Despite this, he is considered a Super Bowl winner as part of the Bucs. Currently, Franklin is signed with the Tampa Bay Bandits in the USFL.

Allenzae Staggers (Season 1)

Ronald Ollie (Season 1)

Allenzae Staggers, a standout wide receiver for EMCC, made the decision to transfer to Southern Miss following his junior year. He is now recognized as one of the talented Last Chance U players who have successfully transitioned to the NFL. Staggers achieved considerable accomplishments, which earned him an opportunity to attend a minicamp organized by the Washington Commanders in the aftermath of the 2018 season. Unfortunately, Staggers was subsequently released by the team.

Ronald Ollie (Season 1)

After his time at EMCC, Ronald Ollie, the beloved defensive tackle from the debut season of Last Chance U, decided to leave and join Nicholls State. Following the conclusion of his college career, Ollie showcased his skills during a workout for the New Orleans Saints, but unfortunately went undrafted. Nevertheless, he persevered and earned a spot in the Oakland Raiders' 2019 minicamp, ultimately securing a contract with the team. This remarkable achievement made him one of the few Last Chance U players to reach the NFL. Although Ollie was released during training camp, he has recently found a new opportunity in the Canadian Football League.

C.J. Reavis (Season 1)

EMCC's star safety concluded his college career at Marshall before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent for the 2018 season. In November 2018, Reavis made his NFL debut as one of the notable Last Chance U players to transition to the professional league, marking an unprecedented achievement for a Last Chance U star. Although he was released in 2019, Reavis inked a deal with the Atlanta Falcons; however, he did not progress beyond their practice squad. Subsequently, he signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL, where he currently showcases his talents.

Chauncey Rivers (Season 2)

After transferring out of EMCC, the defensive lineman from season 2 of Last Chance U went on to play for Mississippi State. In April 2020, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent. Throughout the season, he predominantly remained on the practice squad, with only one instance of being promoted to the active roster, although he never actually took the field. In 2021, the Green Bay Packers claimed him off waivers and secured a spot for him on their initial 53-man roster, thereby including him among the Last Chance U players in the NFL. It was during this time that he finally had the opportunity to participate in a few NFL snaps, managing to make two tackles. Unfortunately, in October 2021, he suffered a torn ACL, which resulted in him being placed on injured reserve.

Dakota Allen (Season 2)

Jermaine Johnson II (Season 4)

After failing to secure a spot at Texas Tech, Dakota Allen, star of Last Chance U, managed to make a triumphant return to his former school, this time as a linebacker. In a groundbreaking move, Allen was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft, becoming the first NFL player from Last Chance U to be drafted. He then embarked on a journey that took him from the Rams to the Raiders, making his NFL debut with the latter, before ultimately finding himself with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2020 season. During that season, he showcased his skills primarily on special teams defense, making appearances in over a dozen games. Fast forward to 2022, and Allen has recently signed with the Cleveland Browns, where he is currently a valuable member of their practice squad.

Jermaine Johnson II (Season 4)

The football team of Independence Community College, led by the controversial Coach Jason Brown, was featured in Seasons 3 and 4 of Last Chance U. One of their standout players, defensive lineman Jermaine Johnson II, later transferred to Florida State University. During the 2021 season, Johnson showcased his skills by leading the ACC in both sacks and tackles for loss. This impressive performance caught the attention of NFL scouts.

In the 2022 NFL draft, Jermaine Johnson made history as the first player from Last Chance U to be selected in the first round. The New York Jets chose him as the 26th overall pick. Johnson wasted no time making an impact as he debuted in the Jets' opening game. With his talent and determination, he appears to have a promising future in the NFL.

Kuony Deng (Season 4)

Kuony Deng, despite being relatively underrepresented during seasons 3 and 4 of Last Chance U, emerged as one of Brown's Indy teams' greatest successes and one of the few Last Chance U players to make it into the NFL. After his time with the California Bears, Deng secured a spot on the Atlanta Falcons' roster in 2022. Although ultimately released before the season commencement, he remains determined in his pursuit to secure a place on an NFL team's roster.

Last Chance U Didn't Guarantee NFL Stardom

Although Last Chance U has produced some NFL players, it cannot guarantee the success of all its participants. An example is Isaiah Wright, a running back from season 2, who ended up leaving Junior College athletics after being charged with criminal homicide for the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Caleb Thomas Radford. Following a plea deal, Wright served 11 months in prison before returning to his family and currently plays as a running back for the Alcoa Alloys in the semi-pro IAFL league.

Kerry Buckmaster, a former center from season 3, has completely retired from football. After completing his college athletics career at West Texas A&M, he chose to step away from the sport entirely in 2019. Another figure, Coach Jason Brown, who coached during seasons 3 and 4, has faced significant controversy. Coach Brown resigned from Last Chance U following offensive text messages sent to one of his German players. Additionally, he was charged with fraud for assuming the identity of a lawyer at the Cochran Law Firm. Although the charges were dropped, Coach Brown currently expresses dissatisfaction with the show that initially provided him a platform.

In season 4, Bobby Bruce, an outside linebacker, faced legal issues that were documented on the show. However, he was later arrested in Florida for cocaine possession. On the other hand, Malik Henry, a quarterback featured in seasons 3 and 4, signed with the University of Nevada in 2019. While playing for the team, he achieved 593 passing yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions. For unknown reasons, he is no longer a part of the team. Encouragingly, Dior Walker-Scott, a wide receiver on Last Chance U who has battled PTSD and experienced homelessness, successfully joined Hawaii's team and played in eight games during the season.