PITTSBURGH, Pa. (WKBN) – The Valley will be well-represented in the 2026 NFL Draft this weekend.
Cardinal Mooney graduate and Athletes First NFL agent Kyle McCarthy represents a total of four draft prospects.
That includes highly-touted Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and LSU Cornerback Mansoor Delane, who are both projected to be selected early in the first round.
“Two guys that I’m really blessed to work with,” McCarthy said. “Just two incredible young men. Authentic, wholesome people. They love the game of football, of course. They show up to work. They do the right things. They do the little things right. And obviously, they’re incredible athletes. But, you know, I think what makes it fun for me is, is finding the type of guys that you get to work with, you know, each and every day that you enjoy working for, you enjoy serving, but also the type of guys where you’re excited to have them meet your family.”
McCarthy also represents Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks as well as Joe Royer, a tight end from the University of Cincinnati.
“Obviously, these guys get to, you know, go on stage at the commissioner’s hand and things like that. But in the background of the green room, you know, I’ll be kind of stressing a little bit, working the lines and trying to, you know, talk to NFL executives and and people in that world, just trying to see what’s going on, see if we could facilitate some movement.”
The 2026 NFL Draft begins on Thursday at 8 p.m. and will be televised locally on WYTV-33.
The event will take place about an hour from where McCarthy grew up.
“I love football. I’m from the Valley. It’s in the water, right? So it’s a pretty cool experience. And to have it here in Pittsburgh, close to home in Youngstown. My folks are going to be up here and enjoying a little bit this with this with me. And it’s just could be for me really proud to be from this area. And it’s going to be a fun time in Pittsburgh.”
During his playing days in the Valley, McCarthy was the starting quarterback for Cardinal Mooney’s 2004 state championship team, and later excelled in the college ranks at Notre Dame, where he served as a team captain.
He then spent time in the NFL with the Broncos, Raiders and Chiefs.
In 2025, he was named to The Athletic’s Top-50 NFL difference-makers under the age of 40. It’s a list that includes NFL head coaches and front office personnel from throughout the league.
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