Garland ISD has traditionally enjoyed a great reputation for its athletic programs and has had the pleasure of seeing a number of students sign to play their sport at the collegiate level. The program has also been responsible for a number of athletes moving on to the professional level. Three GISD football standouts recently joined the National Football League (NFL).
Hakeem Adeniji was selected in the 2020 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals after playing four years as a Kansas University Jayhawk. At Kansas University, he earned All-Big 12 honorable mention recognition three years and second-team all-conference one year. In 2019, he earned a captain’s letter.
Adeniji spent his GHS football career as both an offensive tackle and a defensive end under former Owls’ Head Coach Jeff Jordan. He lettered all three years. Adeniji was team captain as a senior and was named all-district as a junior and senior. He lettered in basketball as well as in track and field as a Garland Owl.
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GHS graduate Luther Kirk signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys. At GHS, Kirk played quarterback and defensive back. He threw 12 touchdown passes in his senior year, rushed for five TDs and led the Owls to a 5-1 district record.
In 2019, Kirk was defensive MVP of the East-West Shrine Bowl after two tackles and an interception. He received various recognitions that year and led the team with 89 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble. He was team captain and started every game. He was also team captain in 2018 and collected an impressive list of stats.
Kirk skipped the 2017 season, but played in all 12 2016 games. He had 15 tackles and tied for most special teams’ tackles. In 2015, he played in 10 games and collected 18 tackles and four pass breakups.
According to Jordan, Kirk and Adeniji worked hard to get where they are.
“Hakeem and Luther are great representatives of Garland HS,” Jordan said. “Both have overcome adversity with hard work and perseverance to get to this point. We are so proud of all they have accomplished and we’re looking forward to watching them as they begin their NFL journey and represent the Owls at the highest level!”
Devin Duvernay from Sachse HS was selected by the Baltimore Ravens. The wide receiver was the No. 92 pick.
As the No. 37 recruit in his graduating class, he signed with Art Briles at Baylor University in 2016 as one of the five top receiver recruits in the nation. But when Briles was let go, and things didn’t work out at Baylor, Duvernay moved to the University of Texas.
In his junior year, he started in 14 games and had 41 receptions for 546 yards and four touchdowns. In his senior year, Duvernay started 13 games, was named first-team All-Big 12 and finished with 106 receptions for 1,386 yards and nine scores. He also scored a rushing touchdown.
“Devin has done everything right along the way,” said SHS Head Football Coach Mark “Red” Behrens. “He and his brother have trained both physically and mentally as hard as any players I have ever coached. The hours that he has put in to be the best have and will continue to pay off for him. Mustang Nation is extremely proud of Devin as he takes his next step. We expect he will have great success for the Ravens.”