This is an NFL 2025 draft tracker for former Arizona high school football players and where they are taken. Nobody was taken in the first round on April 24, but two went in the second round on April 25.
Ty Robinson, who made one of the greatest physical transformations during high school at Gilbert Higley, before becoming a force at defensive tackle at Nebraska, will be joining the Super Bowl champions. Robinson, a freak athlete at 6 feet, 5 inches tall and 288 pounds, was chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles with the ninth pick of the fourth round, the 111th overall pick of the draft. After starting 47 games for the
Cornhuskers , Robinson turned heads at the NFL combine by running 40 yards in 4.83 seconds, the fastest time for a defensive lineman. He had the second-best standing broad jump at 9 feet, 11 inches. Higley coach Eddy Zubey watched Robinson transform from a tight end to a defensive end to a defensive tackle during his high school career, ultimately becoming an All-American. "We are so excited to see Ty achieve one of his goals he set for himself in high school," Zubey said. "His hard work and dedication to the game of football is unmatched. We look forward to following his career and watching him continue to grow and develop. Ty is an amazing person."
Former Saguaro cornerback Denzel Burke (5-11, 186), who played for the national champion Ohio State
Buckeyes , was taken by the Arizona Cardinals with the 38th pick of the fifth round. He was the 174th player taken in the draft. He was a talented two-way player for Saguaro, where he graduated in 2021. His main position was cornerback, and in 2019, as a junior, playing with Kelee Ringo, was a key to the Sabercats reaching the first AIA Open Division state championship game, falling to Chandler 42-35. He caught 12 passes for 313 yards and four TDs. A shoulder injury derailed his senior season in 2020 when COVID-19 reduced the Saguaro season to just seven games. He made an impact at Ohio State, where he made All-Big Ten three times, as he collected 143 tackles, nine for losses, in 51 career games. He had 28 pass breakups and two interceptions, taking one back for a touchdown. "So happy for Denzel and his family," said Jason Mohns, who coached Burke in high school and is now the tight ends coach at
Arizona State . "He's an awesome young man, and the Cardinals got an absolute steal. He's joining a pretty distinguished group of former Saguaro greats who went on to don the Cardinals red." Other former Saguaro players taken by the Cardinals in past NFL drafts are wide receiver Christian Kirk (2018) and cornerback Byron Murphy (2019).
Salpointe safety Lathan Ransom, who played a huge role in Ohio State's national championship season, was taken by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round, the 122nd overall pick. Ransom, 6-1, 210 pounds, graduated from Salpointe in 2020, starring for the Lancers with running back Bijan Robinson, who now plays for the Atlanta Falcons. Ransom is a hard hitter with great cover skills.
Tyler Shough, Hamilton, QB
The former Chandler Hamilton High quarterback, who graduated from high school the same year as San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy in 2018, was taken by the New Orleans Saints with the eighth pick of the second round. He went ahead of Colorado star QB Shedeur Sanders. Shough was the third QB taken in the draft. Shough was the 40th overall draft pick. He was taken after quarterbacks Cam Ward (No. 1) and Jaxson Dart (No. 25). Shough played at Oregon and Texas Tech before finishing up last season at Louisville. Dan Manucci, an Arizona quarterback coach who gives private lessons to youths, coached both Purdy and Shough through their high school years. Purdy will be entering his fourth season with the 49ers. During their senior season, Purdy outdueled Shough in a 65-63 classic that Hamilton led 49-42 at the half. Purdy completed 20 of 31 passes for 383 yards and four TDs and ran for 166 yards and three TDs on 13 carries. Shough passed 352 yards and two TDs on 16 of 29 passing. "Tyler has always worked so very hard at being the best quarterback he could be, starting with me in the eighth grade," Munucci said. "He's always been very focused and diligent and getting his mechanics down to perfection. "He has always been very smart and wise beyond his years. He's also earned everything he has achieved. He's fought through his injuries and never complained. He would bounce back more determined than ever." Shough, 6 feet tall, 5 inches, overcame a broken collarbone and fibula during his college career. He completed 63% of his passes last season at Louisville, passing for 3,195 yards and 23 TDs. He joins a Saints team that last season drafted former Phoenix Pinnacle quarterback Spencer Rattler.
Benjamin Morrison, Brophy Prep, CB
Former Phoenix Brophy Prep cornerback Benjamin Morrison, whose third season at Notre Dame was cut short in October with a hip injury that required surgery, was the 21st pick of the second round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Morrison, 6 feet tall, 193 pounds, worked out in front of 25 NFL teams on Monday at Brophy Prep to show that he was fully recovered from the hip surgery. Morrison had a productive college career, intercepting six passes as a true freshman at Notre Dame three seasons ago. He intercepted three passes in his sophomore year. "The biggest thing was trusting people around me, my agents, my family, listening to my inner circle and they couldn't steer me wrong," Morrison said Monday, following his private workout. "(My confidence) will never leave me."
