NFL Hopefuls Inspire Avenue Students During 2025 Senior Bowl Community Day School Visits

During Senior Bowl week earlier this year, a group of future NFL stars traded turf for textbooks and helmets for hall passes as they stepped into the classrooms of Florence Howard Elementary School and Calloway-Smith Middle School, right in the heart of the Avenue community. Fuse Project was proud to partner once again with the Reese’s Senior Bowl—longtime champions of youth engagement in Mobile—to make this special day possible. What followed was a meaningful morning of connection, conversation, and inspiration.

A Morning to Remember

Each school hosted six college football players selected to participate in the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl—many of whom have since been drafted into the NFL. These athletes made a powerful impression, not just with their physical presence, but with their openness and humility in engaging with the students.

At Calloway-Smith Middle School, the student body welcomed:

Tyler Shough (Louisville)

Selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 40th overall pick in the second round. (Notably, when asked by a student where he’d most like to be drafted, he said the Saints.)

Gavin Bartholomew (Pittsburgh)

Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with the 202nd overall pick in the seventh round.

Jamaal Pritchett (South Alabama)

Signed an undrafted free agent contract following the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Jarquez Hunter (Auburn)

Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round, 117th overall. The Rams traded up with the Colts to select him.

Jonah Monheim (Tulane)

Drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round, 221st overall.

Pat Bryant II (Illinois)

Drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round, 74th overall.

Meanwhile, Florence Howard Elementary School received visits from:

Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)

Drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the 94th overall pick in the third round. He was the fifth quarterback chosen in the draft.

RJ Harvey (UCF)

Drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round, 60th overall.

LeQuint Allen (Syracuse)

Drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round, 236th overall.

Jalen McLeod (Auburn)

Drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round, 194th overall.

Garrett Dellinger (LSU)

Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round, 243rd overall.

Demetrius Knight II (South Carolina)

Drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals with the 49th overall pick in the second round.

Players made their way to classrooms, chatting with students, posing for photos, signing autographs, and even making special appearances in the gym and cafeteria. These up-close interactions were more than just thrilling—they were eye-opening. Players shared personal stories, encouraged students to stay focused on their goals, and emphasized that hard work in the classroom matters just as much as effort on the field. Their messages reinforced what teachers and mentors strive to instill every day: that success is possible with the right mindset and support.

Conversations That Matter

With the help of volunteers, the players engaged in thoughtful Q&As that offered students a look into the realities of life as a student-athlete. They introduced themselves—sharing their names, ages, hometowns, colleges, and positions—before fielding questions facilitated by enthusiastic volunteers.

Among the most impactful topics were:

College decisions: Players explained how academics, coaching staff, team culture, and proximity to home factored into their choices.

Time management: Athletes described the balancing act of coursework, practice, travel, and personal life.

Resilience: Many opened up about injuries, setbacks, and tough losses—and how they stayed focused through it all.

Advice for the future: Students were encouraged to take academics seriously. “You’re a student before you’re an athlete,” players reiterated. “Your education is what gets you on the field—and what carries you after it.”

These messages resonated deeply. For students who may be dreaming of playing under Friday night lights or attending college one day, hearing that success is built on discipline and academic performance helped bridge the gap between aspiration and reality.

Community Behind the Scenes

We are deeply grateful to the volunteers who made these visits so seamless and engaging. At Calloway-Smith, SmartBank employees Tina Coleman, Ryan New, and TJ Naman helped Fuse Project staff guide the players from classroom to classroom, encouraging conversation and ensuring every student had a chance to participate. At Florence Howard, Order of Fuse members Claire Burden, Ruth McKee, Margaret Carey, Allison Starr, and Beth Stepan were on hand to welcome players and assist with logistics.

These visits were also used as an opportunity to invite students and their families to the Senior Bowl Street Party Player Parade, a Mardi Gras-style celebration that took place that Friday night in downtown Mobile. Seeing the same players they’d just met march alongside high school bands, mascots, cheerleaders, and community leaders brought the week full circle—and reinforced the message that dreams can start here, in Mobile.

Celebrating a Lasting Partnership

The Reese’s Senior Bowl has been a pillar of Mobile for over 75 years. More than just a football game, it’s the first major step in the NFL Draft process and a national showcase of college talent. This year alone, the Senior Bowl produced 110 NFL draft picks, representing 43% of the entire 2025 draft class.

But the Senior Bowl is more than numbers and prospects. It’s about people—and the Senior Bowl organization has shown time and again that they are committed to investing in the communities that host this celebrated event.

From supporting Fuse Project’s BOO! Project as a title sponsor last fall to continuing to bring NFL-caliber talent into our schools, Senior Bowl’s commitment to Mobile’s children is unmistakable. They understand that the impact of these athletes goes beyond gameday—it’s about being role models and mentors, even if just for a morning.

A Heartfelt Thank You

To the Reese’s Senior Bowl organization, thank you for your ongoing support of Fuse Project and our mission to improve the lives of children in the Avenue community. Your belief in the power of exposure, encouragement, and education helps fuel the dreams of the next generation.

To the players who visited: we are grateful for your time, your candor, and the example you set. As you move forward in your careers, know that you’ve already made a difference off the field.

And to our volunteers—from SmartBank and Order of Fuse—thank you for creating a warm, welcoming experience that made these moments possible.

Together, we’re not just celebrating football. We’re building futures.

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