Bishop Kenny grad John Wolford signs with Rams

Former Crusaders star had career rebirth in the short-lived AAF

Jhurell Pressley of the Arizona Hotshot takes the handoff from John Wolford during an Alliance of American Football game against the San Antonio Commanders at the Alamodome on March 31.(Photo by Edward A. Ornelas/Getty Images)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Los Angeles Rams are suddenly hoarding quarterbacks with ties to Jacksonville. 

First, it was Jaguars backup Brandon Allen signing with the Rams in 2017. 

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Then, Los Angeles agreed to a one-year deal with Jacksonville castoff Blake Borles last month.

Now, it's former Bishop Kenny quarterback John Wolford, who is headed for the West Coast after signing with the Rams on Wednesday.   

Yes, Wolford and Bortles and Allen are all on the same NFL roster. They join starter Jared Goff, who led the Rams to Super Bowl 53 last season.  

How’s that for an intriguing and cool storyline with ties to the First Coast? 

Wolford, a Bishop Kenny graduate, went on to star in college at Wake Forest and briefly signed with the New York Jets. After being cut in the NFL, Wolford enjoyed a professional football rebirth in the short-lived AAF.  

Wolford wound up with the Arizona Hotshots and led the league in touchdown passes before it abruptly folded last week. He ranked second in passing yards. 

At Bishop Kenny, Wolford was one of the best high school players the area has seen. He started all four years with the Crusaders and set career state records in passing yardage (10,621), touchdowns responsible for (162), TD passes (126), total offense (13,403) and completions (706).

Those records have since fallen to Lake Nona's Tucker Israel and First Coast's De'Andre Johnson. 

Nine area players were on AAF rosters when it folded, although Wolford is the first to sign.


About the Author:

Justin Barney joined News4Jax in February 2019, but he’s been covering sports on the First Coast for more than 20 years.