Everett’s Jim Noel, with his agent, Sean Stellato.
Jim Noel will board a jet at Logan Airport next week for a trip to Seattle where he will take part in rookie mini-camp with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League.
Noel, who excelled on two Super Bowl championship teams at Everett High School and went on to be a football captain at Boston College, has joined the Seahawks organization as an undrafted free agent, beginning a journey that he hopes will lead to a spot on the Seahawks roster for the 2013 NFL season.
“I’m just blessed to have this opportunity to play professional football,” said Noel. “It’s something that I’ve always dreamed about doing so I’m just excited to get this started.”
Noel will work out at the cornerback and safety positions for the Seahawks. He played both positions in the BC football program. Noel said the Seahawks are becoming known for using taller cornerbacks, which bodes well for the 6-feet, 4-inch athlete.
“I think I could fit in the Seahawks’ defensive scheme very well, so I think that’s what they’re intrigued about,” said Noel, who was also contacted by the New Orleans Saints.
He played four years at Boston College and in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl (2009) and the Emerald Bowl (2010), both in San Francisco. He majored in Sociology and is close to receiving his degree. “I had a great experience at BC,” said Noel. “I enjoyed my time there and the school has great facilities.”
Noel has spent the last few months in training at BC and working out in front of National Football League scouts. During that time, he continued to impress observers with his athletic ability, dedication, and commitment to improvement, qualities that led to his selection as a captain for the Eagles.
“I know one thing – I’ll bring effort to the field,” said Noel. “I’ll never give up on a play or anything.”
At Everett, Noel played football and basketball for coach John DiBiaso. He was a two-year football captain.
“Coach DiBiaso made me a better player than when I came in to the program,” said Noel. “I feel he taught me a lot of things about football and life that I never expected to learn about and he gave me an experience that was similar to college and he prepped me for that very well.”
Noel has two younger brothers, Rodman, a defensive back at North Carolina State, and Nerlens, who played his freshman year of basketball at the University of Kentucky before sustaining a season-ending knee injury. It is expected that he will be a lottery pick in this year’s NBA Draft.
“I hope I set a good example for my brothers,” said Noel. “I think the person who sets a good example is my mother [Dorcina]. She sets a good example in the family, what it takes to achieve in life – that you have to go through struggles in order to get to the good, that’s something she has instilled in us.”
He said the people of Everett have always been supportive of his endeavors beginning in Everett Pop Warner and continuing through his high school and college career.
“I just want to thank the people of Everett for being so supportive of myself and my family,” he said. “I’m just hoping to put Everett on the map.”