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Michigan State’s Jalen Nailor warms up before an NCAA college football game against Western Kentucky, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich.
Published Saturday, April 30, 2022 | 9:34 a.m.
Updated Saturday, April 30, 2022 | 4:17 p.m.
A pair of former local high school stars went on the final day of the NFL Draft. Several more are expected to sign undrafted free-agent deals.
Read below for a running long of where Las Vegas' best players wound up.
Daniel Bellinger, San Diego State tight end, 112th overall pick to the New York Giants
The one-time Palo Verde star may have never topped rival Bishop Gorman in high school, but he beat several Gael hopefuls off the board in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-6, 255-pound 21-year-old was the seventh selection of the fourth round and fifth tight end taken in the draft. Bellinger was a three-sport athlete with the Panthers — also on the basketball and track teams — before going on to a strong career with the Aztecs.
He had 31 catches for 357 yards and two touchdowns as San Diego State reached the Mountain West Conference Championship Game last season.
Bellinger became a topic of conversation on the NFL Network’s Draft coverage to start the final day when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded up to the top spot with a need for a tight end. Tampa Bay ultimately took Washington’s Cade Otton, but Bellinger didn’t have to wait much longer to hear his name called.
Jalen Nailor, Michigan State wide receiver, 186th overall pick to the Minnesota Vikings
Nailor was a big part of elevating Michigan State to an 11-2 record this season, and now he’ll similarly have a chance to help lift the Vikings in the NFC North.
He joins one of the NFL’s better receiving corps that includes Pro Bowlers Justin Jefferson and Adam Theilen. The 5-foot-11, 186-pound Nailor figures to backup No. 2 receiver K.J. Osborn, as he plays similarly with speed, shiftiness and big-play ability.
He was Bishop Gorman’s go-to receiver during his time in Las Vegas, helping the Gaels win a pair of national championships. Nailor also excelled as a sprinter, winning four state championships in track.
Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or
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