April 22, 2026 · Updated April 22, 2026
Five Nassau County natives are in the 2026 NFL Draft, led by Plainedge grad Dan Villari. The draft starts April 23.
When the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 23, five players with roots in Nassau County will be among the hundreds hoping to hear their names called. Leading the pack is Dan Villari, a Plainedge High School graduate whose unlikely journey from Long Island quarterback to Syracuse tight end has made him one of the more compelling stories in this year's draft class.
Villari's path to the draft is anything but conventional. At Plainedge High School, he was a dual-threat quarterback who rushed for 1,522 yards and 23 touchdowns while throwing for 1,306 yards and 13 more scores during his senior season. Rated a three-star recruit, he committed to the University of Michigan to play quarterback.
But it was his transition to tight end at Syracuse that put him on NFL radar. After transferring, Villari's combination of size, athleticism, and football IQ made the position switch work. His breakout redshirt senior season — where he focused on the details of route running — caught the attention of scouts looking for versatile receiving tight ends.
Villari isn't the only Nassau County product hoping for a draft day call. Four other players from the county are projected as draft picks or priority free agent signings. While their individual paths vary — from Division I starters to late-round sleepers — they all share the experience of developing their talent on Long Island fields before taking it to the college level.
The 2026 NFL Draft runs three days:
Having five draft-eligible players from a single county underscores the strength of Long Island's high school football programs. Nassau County in particular has produced a steady stream of Division I talent, with programs like Plainedge, Garden City, and Farmingdale regularly sending players to top college programs.
The draft coincides with a packed weekend on Long Island — the Downtown Sound Beach Spring Festival runs the same Saturday as the final draft rounds, giving locals plenty to celebrate.
