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home of the Blue Streaks
Chicago Bears take on the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, August 22, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Chicago Bears 2024

JCU in the NFL: 18 Teams Employ a Blue Streak Entering 2024 Season

| By: Joe Ginley '16, SID
Jalen Myrick '19 (left, Chiefs) and Danny Markino '18 (Bears) pose for a picture before a preseason game in Kansas City.
Football season has at last arrived, bringing a busy season for plenty of Blue Streaks.

As the National Football League kicks off in Week 1, it's time for the annual check-in with the Blue Streaks in the NFL. 

The state of the pipeline is strong. A total of 42 Blue Streaks are working in the league, with 18 NFL teams employing a Blue Streak, be it an alum or a former coach.

Here are the Blue Streaks in the NFL!

Cleveland Browns Lead the Way
As might be expected due to the short distance between Berea and University Heights, the Browns lead the league with six Blue Streaks.

The addition of Chris Polian '93 in the offseason provides the club with the distinction. The veteran personnel man joins the team as Special Assistant to the General Manager, as Polian is set to help the club in a variety of ways. Also joining the team in the offseason was Tyler Habursky '24. The recent grad will be a Scouting Assistant for the Browns after working for JCU Football the past several seasons.

John Frain '86, a member of the 1984 JCU Baseball team that was celebrated this past spring, continues to serve as Director of Security for the team. He just hit his 10-year anniversary with the team. Lizzie Heidenreich (Trathen) '13, '18G also plays a vital role behind the scenes with the team as Manager of Cleveland Browns Foundation. Allison Likar '00 is a similarly important cog of the organization, serving as an Executive Assistant. Rounding out the JCU crew is 
Brenan Betro '19, who works as Social Media Manager, pumping out great content for the team.

Growing Group in LA
Right behind the Browns are the Los Angeles Rams, as LA added a pair of Blue Streaks in the offseason to bring the team's total to five. 

Chris Shula is the offseason headline, as the former JCU coach earned a promotion to Defensive Coordinator with the Rams. The grandson of Don Shula '51, Chris enters his eighth season with the franchise. Mike Harris will work under him for a second straight season as Assistant Defensive Backs Coach.

Nick Caley '06 is back with the Rams for a second season after getting looks at offensive coordinator openings. Caley will again serve as Offensive Pass Game Coordinator. 

Joining him on the offensive coaching staff are Jerry Schuplinski '99, '01G and Dave Ragone. Schuplinski previously spent a couple seasons in Vegas, the last as tight ends coach, and will now be a Senior Offensive Assistant. Ragone joins the team as Quarterbacks Coach following a stint as Offensive Coordinator for the Falcons. 

Talented Group in H-Town
Last season proved to be a breakout year for the Houston Texans, thanks in part due to shrewd moves by the Blue Streaks at the helm.

General Manager Nick Caserio '98 has seen many of his trades and draft picks pan out, explaining much of the Texans' success last year. With more talent inbound, the arrow is pointing up in Houston.

Another key cog for the Texans is Frank Ross '10. During his tenure as Special Teams Coordinator, Houston has enjoyed an advantage on fourth downs, making a big difference in many games. 

Off the field, D.J. Debick '13 has contributed greatly as Assistant Director of Pro Scouting. Nate Leopold '22 has also been a great asset as a Personnel Assistant.

New Quartet in Vegas
The Raiders have seen some turnover over the last year, but JCU still has strong representation in Vegas. 

Following a stint with the Chargers, Tom Telesco '95 is now the General Manager of the Raiders. He's enjoyed plenty of success in the NFL and will hope to build a winner in the desert. Also joining the Raiders in the offseason was Tim Zetts. Entering his fifth season in the NFL, Zetts spent the last two years as an assistant tight ends coach with the Bears. He'll be an Offensive Assistant this year. 

Matt Feeney '15 is back with the team this year, earning a promotion. The former JCU linebacker and coach was upped to Assistant Defensive Backs Coach after previously working in defensive quality control. Fellow former JCU coach Ryan Gravel is also returning, serving as a Player Personnel Assistant.

Trio Flying in Philly    
The Philadelphia Eagles continue to enjoy success, and several Blue Streaks are hoping for more this season. 

Dave Caldwell '96 is chief among them, returning as Senior Personnel Director / Advisor to the General Manager. The Eagles have made plenty of shrewd moves in recent memory and hope to provide more memories for Philly fans. Also back is Jarrod Kilburn '14. The former JCU QB is a College/Pro Scout. Returning to the organization following a year-long stint with the Miami Dolphins is Joe Kasper. The former JCU coach will work as the Safeties Coach this season. 

New Era for the Chargers 
The arrival of Jim Harbaugh in LA brings about the return of a fantastic Blue Streak, Greg Roman '94.

Following a year away from the league, Roman is back in the driver's seat of an NFL offense, set to guide the Chargers as Offensive Coordinator. The veteran coach will steer a promising offense helmed by Justin Herbert and a deep running back room.

Remaining in LA is Kevin Kelly. The former JCU coach remains the Senior Director of College Scouting with the club.

Steel City Duo
A pair of Blue Streaks arrived in Pittsburgh over the offseason, both on the offensive side of the ball.

After spending some time with the Chargers, Tom Arth '03 joined the Steelers as the team's Quarterbacks Coach. The former star JCU quarterback and head coach has a talented QB room to work with this season. Joining him is another former JCU coach, Matt Baker, who'll serve as an Offensive Assistant.

Two Streaks in Buffalo
A pair of JCU stars will call Buffalo home for another year.

Joe Micca '10 remains with the Bills in a vital role. Micca serves as Rehabilitation Coordinator, playing an important role for the organization on the medical side. Also with the club is Ashley McCall '23. The former JCU Sports Information student spent last season as the Events and Experience Graduate Assistant. After making an excellent impression, she'll be with the team again this season, now as the Marketing Graduate Assistant. 

Seven Squads with a Lone Blue Streak
A whopping seven teams employ one Blue Streak. Let's meet the lucky seven.

It seems right to start with Jalen Myrick '19. The College/Pro Scout celebrated the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl win at the season opener on Thursday night. The rings are piling up for Myrick, who plays a significant role in the scouting department.

Also on the move in the offseason was Brandon Staley. Following a stint as the Chargers' head coach, he will stay in California. Staley will be in San Francisco, serving as Assistant Head Coach under Kyle Shanahan. Staley will work with the defense this season. 

Danny Markino '18 also moved in the offseason, closer to home. Markino moved upwards on the communications side, becoming the Manager of Football Communications with the Chicago Bears. Plenty of excitement surrounds the Bears this year, and Markino hopes to be part of building a winning culture in the Windy City. 

A new member of the JCU to NFL pipeline is Jahiem Peake '24. Just one year removed from his All-American football career in University Heights, Peake will work as a Business Development Account Executive for the Detroit Lions. In the last couple of years, the Lions have become one of the hottest organizations in the league, and Peake will look to increase sales further at Ford Field.

Sticking with the NFC North, Rob Grosso '15 will be with the Green Bay Packers this year. He'll be an Offensive Quality Control Coach, working especially with the tight ends. The Packers could be deep at the position this season, too. 

Jonathan Cooley '11, '14G will be in the NFC South for a second straight year, working with the Carolina Panthers. A rising star in the profession, Cooley will be working as Defensive Pass Game Coordinator with the organization. 

Also on the coaching side is Patrick Kramer '16. The former Blue Streak QB is an Offensive Assistant with the Atlanta Falcons. The team has high hopes with a new quarterback and system in town. 

On the scouting side, Alex Brooks remains in New England. The former JCU coach is a Southwest Area Scout for the Patriots. 

On the medical side, Michael Micca '12 is still in Tennessee. Micca serves as Director, Physical Therapy/Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Titans. Without a doubt, October 20 is circled on the calendar. That's the Micca Bowl, when Joe's Bills face off against Michael's Titans. That should be a proud day for the Micca family. 

Also worthy of mention is Pat Moriarty '93G. The longtime capologist for the Baltimore Ravens moved into a consulting role in the offseason with the organization. The Ravens penned a wonderful piece about his journey with the team, click here to read it.

Media Men    
Two Blue Streaks will be working on the media side of things this season in different roles. 

First off, London Fletcher '97 remains with the Washington Commanders as a commentator. The College Football Hall of Famer is an analyst for the Washington Commanders and calls games as part of the team's radio broadcast crew. He also co-hosts the Emmy-nominated show, "The Player's Club" and appears on the team's flagship show, "Command Center." 

Also in the DMV is a JCU Sports Information legend, Will Blake '19. The former WJCU broadcaster is now the Director for the Baltimore Ravens Gameday Network, traveling to produce the Ravens' road games as well as home contests. His work is vital to the radio broadcast production.

Lastly, Christopher Overton '19G is an NFLPA Certified Agent for the Believe Sports Group.

To learn more about the JCU to NFL pipeline, click here.
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