One of Trenton’s very own has made it onto football’s biggest stage.

On Monday, May 8th, Trenton community members will gather at Trenton Central High School to celebrate the draft of our city’s very own Ji’Ayir Brown. Celebrations will begin at 5 pm at the Trenton Central High School football field at 400 Chambers St, Trenton, NJ 08609. Fans and friends are welcome to gather in the stands and cheer on Ji’Ayir as he prepares to take the following steps in his athletic journey. Gates will open at 4:30 pm, and all are invited, so be sure to bring your whole family to the fun!

Ji’Ayir Brown was one of just 259 players selected in the 2023 NFL draft. The players selected during the draft represent elite athletes from some of the nation’s most prestigious college teams. Of the thousands of athletes who play college football each year, the players selected in the NFL Draft represent some of the most elite up-and-coming athletes the sport offers. As the 87th pick in the 3rd round of the NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Ji’Ayir Brown to be a roster member. As one of this year’s most sought-after players, the 49ers struck gold when they decided on this Trenton native.

Ji’Ayir Brown, a safety, was also a member of the Penn State Nittany Lion’s elite squad during his college years. Throughout his collegiate career, he was a fierce player and an invaluable member of the Nittany Lion’s defense. Throughout the last two seasons alone, Ji’Ayir was responsible for 153 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, nine pass deflections, and ten interceptions, the most by any defender in college football. Ji’Ayir was awarded the 2023 Rose Bowl’s defensive MVP of the year for his tremendous abilities. Brown also received Penn State’s MVP for the 2022 season.

What are the chances of being drafted as an NFL player? While every player dreams of the day they join the ranks of the NFL, only a select fraternity of elite athletes will ever be bestowed this honor. To make it to the NCAA is a remarkable feat – only 7.3% of all high school football players will be selected to play at the collegiate level. Once players are at the college level, taking the following steps to the NFL is even more competitive. Of the approximately ~73,000 players in the NCAA, only 259 are drafted, meaning the average player has just a 0.2% chance of ever making it to the NFL. Please leave it to a Trentonian to beat the odds and emerge victorious!

Trenton certainly has much to be proud of for such a small city, and Ji’Ayir is just the latest on our list of history-makers from the Capital City. Although Trenton will certainly miss him, we are confident that Ji’Ayir is in great hands with the San Francisco 49ers. So don’t miss the chance to send off this great footballer in style, be sure to swing by the upcoming celebration!

 

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