exclusive details Tight end Justin Joly plans to beat NFL draft odds by ‘not being the average guy’ By Bridget Reilly Published April 7, 2026, 9:04 p.m. ET Tamon Lynum #8 of the Pittsburgh Panthers tackles Justin Joly #7 of the NC State Wolfpack during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Diamond Images/Getty Images It was always about beating the odds for Justin Joly.
As a Brewster native, he knew the chances of becoming a professional football player were tough. New York is not considered a top-tier hotbed for producing college and professional football players compared to states such as Florida or Texas. He also endured the recruiting process during the global pandemic, which forced him to play a spring season and have fewer eyes on him.
“Just not being the average guy,” Joly told The Post of his goals. “Out of New York, people expect a great basketball player or lacrosse. The last thing they expect is a football player, so why not beat the odds?”
As of late April, he will be beating those odds as the N.C. State tight end heads into the NFL draft.
