California high school stars Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jaelan Phillips and Najee Harris drafted in 1st round of 2021 NFL Draft

Offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker was selected 14th overall by the New York Jets. He attended Bishop O'Dowd High School and then USC. Defensive lineman Jaelan Phillips was picked 18th overall by the Miami Dolphins. He's a Redlands East Valley grad. Phillips went on to attend UCLA before transferring to Miami. Finally, running back Najee Harris was taken 24th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He graduated from Antioch High School and then played college football at Alabama.

Three former California high school football stars were selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft on Thursday night.

Offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker was selected 14th overall by the New York Jets. He attended Bishop O'Dowd High School and then USC. Defensive lineman Jaelan Phillips was picked 18th overall by the Miami Dolphins. He's a Redlands East Valley grad. Phillips went on to attend UCLA before transferring to the University of Miami. Finally, running back Najee Harris was taken 24th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He graduated from Antioch High School and then played college football at the University of Alabama.

Alijah Vera-Tucker - New York Jets

With the No. 14 overall pick in the 2021 @NFLDraft, the @nyjets select OL Alijah-Vera Tucker!

📺: 2021 #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/2ViHzAuwoj

— NFL (@NFL) April 30, 2021

Vera-Tucker, a four star high school prospect, helped lead Bishop O'Dowd to a 2016 Class 5-AA CIF state title. At USC, he started 19 games and was named a 2020 first team All-Pac 12 player.

Jaelan Phillips - Miami Dolphins

With the No. 18 overall pick in the 2021 @NFLDraft, the @MiamiDolphins select DE Jaelan Phillips!

📺: 2021 #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/BcFWQrvqtS

— NFL (@NFL) April 30, 2021

Phillips was a five star prospect coming out of Redlands East Valley. In high school as a senior, he was credited with 142 tackles and 21 sacks, which earned him the All-CIF Div. II Co-Defensive Player of the Year award. As a sophomore, he helped lead Redlands East Valley to a CIF Division 2 state championship.

In college, Phillips played two seasons at UCLA before retiring from football. He ultimately had a change of heart and then transferred to Miami. Last season, he led the Hurricanes with 15.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks.

Najee Harris - Pittsburgh Steelers

In middle school, Najee Harris was living in a homeless shelter.

Today, he returned to throw a draft party for the kids and families at the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program.

Now, he's a first round draft pick.

(h/t @KylenMills) pic.twitter.com/kdcvyKgw8s

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) April 30, 2021

Harris was named Cal-Hi Sports' 2015 Mr. Football State Player of the Year after rushing for 2,744 yards and 36 touchdowns during his junior season. He finished his Alabama career with 3,843 rushing yards and 57 total TDs, which are both school records.