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home of the Blue Streaks
Nick Caserio '98 (left) talks with JCU's new Assistant AD Mike Hollins '17
Houston Texans

41 Blue Streaks Set to Work in the NFL for the 2022 Season

| By: Joe Ginley '16, SID
John Carroll has alumni and former coaches working in all facets of 16 NFL organizations. 
With the start of the football season upon us, it's time for our annual check-in on members of the John Carroll University community in the National Football League.

Between alumni and former coaches, John Carroll has a total of 41 Blue Streaks working in the NFL this season.

From the first game of the season to the very last one, chances are a Blue Streak will be involved. John Carroll is represented in exactly half of the teams in the NFL, as 16 NFL squads feature a Blue Streak.

The Blue Streak Bowl
Opening weekend of the 2022 NFL season will feature what may become one of the most fun rivalries in the league between two outstanding teams, each led by a Blue Streak head coach and general manager.

The Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers are the newest hotbeds for Blue Streaks, as both the Chargers and the Raiders employ five JCU folks.

The Raiders have a new head coach and general manager in former John Carroll roommates Dave Ziegler '00, '07G and Josh McDaniels '99. Already, there's plenty of buzz in Las Vegas about the dynamic duo and how far the JCU teammates can take the Raiders.

In the Raiders' first game, they'll confront another John Carroll head coach-general manager duo in Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco '95. Telesco and Staley guided the Chargers to a 9-8 record as Justin Herbert developed into one of the league's top quarterbacks. Hopes are high in the second year of the Telesco-Staley era in LA.

Both the Raiders and the Chargers feature plenty of Blue Streaks on the sidelines and behind the scenes. For the Chargers, Danny Markino '18 continues in his role as Coordinator, Football Communications, continuing his outstanding work with a team that's growing into the huge LA market. Kevin Kelly enters his 10th season with the Bolts, this year as Senior Director of College Scouting. Kelly coached the linebackers at JCU in 1994. Another former JCU coach in Tom Arth '03 joins the Chargers this season as a passing game specialist.

For the Raiders, Jerry Schuplinski '99, '01G joins his teammates in Vegas as a senior offensive assistant. Matt Feeney '15 also joins the staff in the role of a defensive quality control coach. Former JCU coach Ryan Gravel has been with the team for a couple years as a player personnel assistant.

The Cleveland Connection
Perhaps it comes as no surprise, but the hometown Cleveland Browns boast the most Blue Streaks, with a total of eight alumni. 

In the scouting department, Scott DiBenedetto '13 is a scout assistant/coaching analyst. Joe Dever '19G now works as Mid-Atlantic Area Scout. 

In the front office, John Frain '86 works as the Director of Security for the team. Allison Likar '00 is another proud alum, as she works as an executive assistant. 

The Browns have recently added three John Carroll alumni. Lizzie Heidenreich (Trathen) '13, '18G returns home after working with the Detroit Lions. She's now the Manager of Browns Charities. Brenan Betro '19 came home after working with the Spurs, as he's now the team's Social Media Manager. And Luke Potosky '22 recently joined the PR department as a full-time football communications intern for the 2022 season following four great years with JCU Sports Information.     

Lone Star Streaks
Nick Caserio '98 is in the midst of rebuilding the Houston Texans and is off to a solid start in the Lone Star State.

Caserio hired Lovie Smith as the team's next head coach, but retained Frank Ross '10 as the Texans' special teams coordinator. Last season, special teams were a bright spot for the Texans, as the team finished ninth in DVOA (Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average), a very good mark for a rebuilding team. 

D.J. Debick '13 is a new add for the Texans this year. Previously a Patriots scout, Debick now works as the Assistant Director of Pro Scouting for Houson. Also a new addition is Nate Leopold '22. Just last year, Leopold was roaming the JCU defensive backfield, and now he joins the Texans as a personnel assistant. The hard work ethic he learned in University Heights will serve him well in Houston. 

Still the Patriot Way
While a number of Blue Streaks have departed, the New England Patriots still have some John Carroll pride.

Nick Caley '06 remains on the staff as tight ends/fullbacks coach with the Patriots, his sixth leading the tight ends. He'll have a strong TE room to work with this season as he enters his eighth season in New England. Former JCU coach Alex Brooks also sticks with the Patriots as a Southwest Area Scout. 

The Champs in LA
Last February, two Blue Streaks hoisted the Lombardi Trophy: Jonathan Cooley '11, '14G and former JCU coach Chris Shula.

The dynamic duo are back with the Los Angeles Rams this season and hoping to run it back.

Cooley will be in a new role this season, as he earned a promotion to Defensive Backs Coach. With Jalen Ramsey, Jordan Fuller, and others patrolling the defensive backfield, Cooley should have a fun season in store. Chris Shula also got a deserved promotion, as he was elevated to Pass Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach after an excellent season coaching up the linebackers.

Baltimore Trio 
Three prominent Blue Streaks are in important roles in Baltimore.

Greg Roman '94 will look to continue getting the most out of one of the league's most talented mobile quarterbacks in Lamar Jackson. Roman is the braintrust behind Baltimore's offense, one of the top rushing teams in the league whatever the personnel. 

Pat Moriarity '93G is one of the league's preeminent capologists. Since joining the franchise, over the course of 28 years, Moriarty has negotiated player contracts totaling over $1 billion. He continues to be a central figure of the team's front office.

Will Blake '19 is a gameday staple for the Ravens. After working for the past couple seasons on the radio broadcast, Blake earned an off-season promotion to Director for the Baltimore Ravens Gameday Network. Blake will be on-site for all Ravens games, responsible for ensuring a quality broadcast. No doubt, Blake is the perfect man for the job. 

JCU Fanfare in Philly
While the head coach of the Eagles is not a Blue Streak, several members of the organization are. 

David Caldwell '96 remains in Philadelphia as a personnel executive for a front office that made dynamic moves in the offseason and looks to be a contender in the NFC East. Former JCU coach Joe Kasper also is in Philly as the wide receivers coach for a second straight season.

And in the offseason, Jarrod Kilburn '14 received a promotion. The former JCU QB garnered a promotion to college/pro scout, a big deal for someone who paid his dues as an intern in the NFL and with NFL Films. His future is bright as he gets a chance to shine in a big way in the city of Brotherly Love. 

Falcon Duo 
Two Blue Streaks will be helping to lead the way as the Atlanta Falcons strive to reload.

Former JCU coach Dave Ragone will be the mastermind of the Falcons' offense, with young weapons such as Kyle Pitts and Drake London at his disposal. Also playing an important role will be Patrick Kramer '16, another former JCU coach. Kramer works as a football analyst for the Falcons.

Taking Command
Washington's football team has a new name but still with the team is Chris Polian '93.

The seasoned NFL executive is the team's Director of Pro Personnel. Polian will be looking to help the Commanders compete in the NFC East.

London Fletcher '97 will also be a familiar face this season, as the Washington legend is again a CBS analyst following an outstanding NFL playing career.

Master of Tickets in Tampa Bay
If you've ever bought tickets for a Tampa Bay Buccaneers home game at Raymond James Stadium, you have Ben Milsom '01 to thank.

Milsom serves as the Chief Ticketing Officer for the Bucs and is in the midst of an awesome run.

Last season, the Bucs sold out all home game tickets following a Super Bowl victory. Now with Tom Brady back at the helm for a third season, things are looking great in Tampa again this year. Milsom continues to keep his ticketing team atop the NFL, as the Bucs have consistently ranked #1 in the NFL for Customer Satisfaction and have ranked #1 in NFL for Group Tickets several times. Without a doubt, Milsom is thriving in Tampa. 

The Micca Bros
Not often do you see brothers working in the same industry, let alone both in the NFL.

But the Micca family can boast two members in the NFL: Joe Micca '10 and Mike Micca '12.

Joe Micca has been with the Buffalo Bills for six years now. In 2021, Joe became the Rehabilitation Coordinator after previously working as a Physical Therapist.

Mike Micca is a more recent addition to the league. In April, Mike became an Assistant Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist with the Tennessee Titans. 

No doubt, the Micca family has two amazing sons to be proud of. And the Saturday, Sept. 19 game between the Bills and Titans should be a heck of a lot of fun this year for the Micca's. 

Back in the Desert
Rob Grosso '15 is back with the Arizona Cardinals for his fourth season.

Grosso works as a defensive quality control coach in Arizona. Under the Cardinals' defensive coordinator, Vance Joseph, Grosso will look to help the Cards anchor another strong defense this year.

Killing it in KC
Jalen Myrick '19 continues to be a pro on the rise. The JCU grad enters his fourth season in Kansas City with the Chiefs and has been on the ascent since joining the franchise.

Last year, Myrick earned a promotion to Pro Scout. And this season, he has a new title again, earning a promotion to College/Pro Scout. The young scout certainly is making a great impression in KC, as the Chiefs continue to enjoy an exceptional run in the AFC South.

Repping JCU in the Windy City
After spending the 2021 in Green Bay, Tim Zetts switched allegiances this year, joining the Chicago Bears. 

Once a JCU coach, Zetts will serve as an assistant tight ends coach with the Bears in 2022. Last year, he worked with the Packers on one of the best offenses in the NFL. He'll look to help improve a young Chicago offense with weapons such as Cole Kmet.

In the offseason, JCU added Mike Harris as safeties coach after he worked for the Bears last year. So the JCU connection truly goes both ways!

For more on the John Carroll & NFL connection, visit jcusports.com/nfl
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