Are you ready for some NFL football, Savannah?
Six players with local ties have gone from high school Friday night lights to college football Saturdays to playing on NFL Sundays. Who are they?
Nolan Smith, Kamari Lassiter, Warren Brinson, Dylan McMahon and Ted Hurst III made active rosters. Austin Blaske was signed to the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad.
Here is a quick look at the six players with Savannah area ties.
Nolan Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
Smith started his high school career at Calvary Day before transferring to IMG Academy. He played at Georgia and helped the Bulldogs win two national championships.
The Eagles selected Smith with the 30th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He recorded four sacks during Philadelphia’s run to the Super Bowl LIX championship.
Smith begins his fourth season with the Eagles.
Kamari Lassiter, Houston Texans
Lassiter spent his early childhood in Savannah, where he started playing football at age three. Before his first year of high school, he moved to Alabama and played at American Christian Academy.
Lassiter later played at Georgia and helped the Bulldogs win two national championships.
Houston selected him with the 42nd pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He finished the 2025 season with 57 solo tackles and four interceptions. He was also selected for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games.
Lassiter enters his third season with the Texans.
Warren Brinson, Green Bay Packers
Brinson attended Savannah Christian before transferring to IMG Academy.
He played five seasons at Georgia and finished with 71 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and six sacks.
Green Bay selected Brinson in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The defensive tackle earned another spot on the Packers’ active roster.
Dylan McMahon, Los Angeles Rams
McMahon played at Savannah Christian before heading to North Carolina State.
The Eagles selected him in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Rams later signed him from Philadelphia’s practice squad.
McMahon made his first NFL start during the 2024 season. His ability to play center and guard helped him earn a place on the Rams’ 53-man roster.
Ted Hurst III, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Hurst was raised in Savannah and played football and basketball at Sol C. 
Johnson High School.
He began his college career as an unrated recruit at Valdosta State. Hurst caught 60 passes for 1,027 yards and 10 touchdowns during his two seasons with the Blazers.
Hurst transferred to Georgia State in 2024. He set a school record with nine touchdown catches and earned second-team All-Sun Belt honors during his first season.
He followed that with 71 catches for 1,004 yards in 2025 and was named first-team All-Sun Belt.
Tampa Bay selected Hurst with the 84th pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He became the highest drafted player in Georgia State history and earned a spot on the Buccaneers’ 53-man roster.
Austin Blaske, Los Angeles Rams
Blaske was a three-sport athlete at South Effingham.
The offensive lineman played college football at Georgia and North Carolina. He signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2026.
Blaske did not make the initial 53-man roster, but the Rams signed him to their practice squad.
Six players. Five active roster spots. One practice squad spot. All with Savannah area ties.
That is a strong showing for local football.
Photos courtesy of NFL.com
Follow Prep Sports Report on X @PrepSav and Instagram @savannahsportsreport.
To share scores, story ideas, or corrections, email kdemasi@prepsportsreport.com or text 912.507.9158.
Optim Orthopedics presents Prep Sports Report’s 2026 high school football coverage.
Keeping Savannah-area athletes healthy and ready for gameday all season long.
Team physicians include Dr. Don Aaron (Bryan County), Dr. David Sedory (Benedictine, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County), Dr. David Palmer (Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, South Effingham), and Dr. Thomas Alexander (Savannah Country Day, St. Vincent’s Academy).
