NJCAA alumni competing in NCAA College Football Playoff
Charlotte, NC: The first Twelve-team College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship field was announced at the four-year level. Over half the teams in the CFP feature former NJCAA Student-athletes and over 15 in total. The top-ranked Oregon Ducks feature the most alumni, with three on their current roster.
One of the biggest additions to the top-ranked Ducks defense this season has been defensive back Kobe Savage. The senior has appeared in all 13 games and collected 61 tackles. Savage played for Tyler (TX) for two seasons. Over those two seasons, he totaled 100 tackles, six interceptions, and four pass breakups. He was named a Second Team NJCAA All-America selection in 2021. Savage transferred to Kansas State and spent two seasons playing for the Wildcats. In his final season with Kansas State, he was named to each of the Jim Thorpe Award (top defensive back in college football), Bronko Nagurski Trophy (best defensive player in college football), and Chuck Bedanrik Award (Defensive Player of the year) watch lists.
Arizona State defensive back Shamari Simmons started his football career at Hutchinson (KS) and was a Blue Dragons' 2020-21 NJCAA National Championship team member. Simmons would transfer to Austin Peay and was an All-ASUN Conference selection in 2022. After transferring to the Sun Devils in 2023, Simmons made an immediate impact. He played the most snaps of any defender and was named the Sun Devil Football Defensive MVP. Simmons has 69 tackles, one interception, and a team-leading three forced fumbles this season.
Two former Hutchinson Blue Dragons now run through the tunnel to Rocky Top for the Tennessee Volunteers. Offensive lineman Larry Johnson III has appeared in 14 games for the Volunteers, including against No. 15 Oklahoma, where he entered the game and did not allow a pressure. Tight End Miles Kitselman transferred to Alabama after Hutchinson and is now a Tennessee Volunteer. Kitselman has started 11 games this season and leads all tight ends with 263 yards and three receiving touchdowns.
Indiana features the only alum of this group who did not play NJCAA Football. Junior receiver Camden Jordan played college baseball at San Jacinto College (TX) before being a walk-on on the Indiana football team. The San Jacinto outfield competed in the 2022 baseball season where they competed in 25 games inculding the 2022 JUCO World Series. Jordan then moved onto Indiana in fall of 2022 where he walked-on to the football team and was a scout team player. In 2023 the receiver saw special team action in four games for the Hoosiers. Camden Jordan has only appeared in one game this season, but this is one of the most unique stories from NJCAA alumni in this year's College Football Playoff.
