PALM BEACH COUNTY – We have officially reached a new era when it comes to producing NFL talent from our area.

The dust has finally cleared for the NFL rookies after several months of going from the college football ranks to the pro level. The process was – in order: the NFL Combine, followed by their respective schools’ Pro Days, the NFL Draft, NFL rookie minicamp, NFL training camp, and the NFL preseason.

The surviving players made the 90-man rotation on their respective NFL teams earlier this year. But it was never a full guarantee that any of them would make it past August.

That was until all 32 NFL teams released their full 53-man rosters.

For Palm Beach County, a total of five NFL rookies have officially made it. Here’s the list below:

•OL Fredrick Johnson (Royal Palm Beach alum/Florida alum) – Pittsburgh Steelers

•CB Jimmy Moreland (Royal Palm Beach alum/James Madison alum) – Washington Redskins

•RB Kerrith Whyte (Seminole Ridge alum/former FAU player) – Chicago Bears

•RB Travis Homer (Oxbridge Academy alum/former Miami player) – Seattle Seahawks

•RB Devin Singletary (American Heritage-Delray Beach alum/former FAU player) – Buffalo Bills

Of our five local NFL rookies, only Johnson was not drafted by any team. The Royal Palm Beach 2015 alum, who famously chose Florida over Miami as his college football destination, really had to prove himself from rookie minicamp until the conclusion of the preseason on this past Thursday night (Aug. 29).

Photojournalist Gene Nardi has covered Johnson more than anyone else during his high school years at Royal Palm Beach. The Town-Crier weekly newspaper reporter and photographer (Western Communities – Palm Beach County) took the time to weigh in on what he remembers about the Steelers rookie offensive lineman.

“Fred Johnson was a boss in the trenches,” said Nardi, who is also the owner and operator of Photos By Gene/Victory 65 Media. “He paved the way for the Wildcat ground game and gave (former quarterback) Ant McGrew time to throw. He destroyed defensive linemen (laughs out loud)!”

Nardi also covered Moreland extensively when he was at Royal Palm Beach.

“Jimmy was always the one who was going to make the big play, and sometimes he made several in a single game,” Nardi said of the Royal Palm Beach 2014 alum and seventh-round draft pick (No. 227 overall). “He was a team leader and mentored the younger players. Moreland was never short on intensity and motivation.”

Nardi offered his take on Whyte.

“Kerrith was always quiet and strictly business,” Nardi said of the Seminole Ridge 2015 alum and seventh round draft pick (No. 222 overall). “You never heard him complain. He always did what was expected and exceeded in every aspect. His explosiveness on the field was second to none. He was always plus yardage on the field and well respected. He was respectful to everyone as well, and I never heard anything negative come out of him.”

As for Homer and Singletary, the running back duo from the 2016 class has proven to be the most successful overall. It was evident when they were the only two locals selected before the seventh round of the NFL Draft back in April.

NFL Network’s Marc Dulgerian provided his take on Homer.

“The Seahawks have an affinity for running backs who stand out on special teams coverage units,” Dulgerian said of Homer in April. “Homer is no exception and should make his presence felt on coverage units, while serving as a rotational back in the Seahawks’ run-oriented offense.”

Homer was the No. 204 overall pick (sixth round) with the Seahawks, while Singletary was the area’s No. 1 overall selection and No. 74 overall pick (third round) with the Bills.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah was succinct with his analysis on Singletary.

“He is a fun runner to watch with his jump-cuts and quickness,” Jeremiah said of Singletary back in April. “It’s fun to watch him on tape.”

All five NFL rookies were pushed by their high school football coaches (as well as youth league and college football coaches) to reach their maximum potential. Their collective impact can never be noticed enough.

“I think it’s a testament to the level of talent that is in Palm
Beach County,” Nardi said. “It’s also indicative of the commitment of our coaches in the county as well. Without them, and their dedication, we may not see this level of success, despite the presence of talent.”

Nardi had more to add on this topic.

“I’m not taking anything away from those guys that made it to the top,” Nardi said. “It took grit to get there, and it will take a lot more to remain there. But ask any one of them if their coaches made an impact, and I bet they would agree on some level.”

While it won’t be a guarantee that all five local players – or any of them – will see the field for their respective NFL teams in Week 1 and beyond, there is one thing that they all will forever share with certainty.

They made it, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

PHOTO CREDITS: Gene Nardi