And while the physical tools are noteworthy, it’s the unflinching pursuit of a vision that has Justin Joly on the verge of an NFL career. The 21-year-old Iona Prep graduate routinely jumped on Metro-North and traveled down the Harlem Line from Brewster to 125th Street and walked four blocks to practice.
That’s uncommon dedication, especially for a middle-schooler.
“Justin had motivated parents who wanted him to play high-level competition, and he was a mature kid who knew what he wanted to do,” Gaels coach Joe Spagnolo said.
Running with the Harlem Jets was a worthwhile means to an end.
Joly followed a path that included stops at UConn and North Carolina State and will be waiting and watching the parade of next-level talent when the NFL Draft gets under way in Pittsburgh this week.
Joly is a pass-catching tight end who is projected to be selected late Friday (rounds 2-3) or early Saturday (rounds 4-7).
“Honestly, this is massive,” he said. “Sometimes you have to step back and realize there are so many people who want to be where you’re at. It’s a blessing that I’m here, that’s what it is.”
Justin Joly, a wide receiver for the Iona Prep football team, photographed Aug. 26, 2021.Ione Prep's Justin Joly (7) breaks a tackle for a touchdown during their 34-7 win over Stepinac in football action at Iona Prep High School in New Rochelle on Saturday, October 2, 2021.Iona Prep's Justin Joly carries the ball against Cardinal Hayes during their football game at Iona Prep in New Rochelle, Oct. 16, 2021.Iona Prep's Justin Joly (7) breaks a tackle during their 38-22 win over St. Francis in the Catholic state championship at Iona Prep High School New Rochelle on Saturday, November 27, 2021.Justin Joly, center, with parents Robby and Jennifer, signs national letter of intent with Univ. of Connecticut at Iona Prep High School in New Rochelle on Wednesday, December 15, 2021.Iona Prep's Justin Joly (7) pulls in a pass during football action against Christ the King at Iona Prep High School, on Saturday, September 25, 2021.Nov 18, 2023; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies tight end Justin Joly (17) runs the ball against the Sacred Heart Pioneers in the second half at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY SportsSep 11, 2025; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack tight end Justin Joly (7) catches a pass against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in second half at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Luke Jamroz-Imagn ImagesNov 21, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; NC State Wolfpack tight end Justin Joly (7) celebrates his touchdown to win the game during the second half of the game against Florida State Seminoles at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn ImagesOct 25, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack tight end Justin Joly (7) catches the ball for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesAug 28, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack tight end Justin Joly (7) looks on during the warmups prior to the game against East Carolina Pirates at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn ImagesFeb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NC State tight end Justin Joly (TE09) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images1 / 12See former Iona Prep standout and NFL draft prospect Justin JolyJustin Joly, a wide receiver for the Iona Prep football team, photographed Aug. 26, 2021.1 / 12See former Iona Prep standout and NFL draft prospect Justin JolyJustin Joly, a wide receiver for the Iona Prep football team, photographed Aug. 26, 2021.2 / 12See former Iona Prep standout and NFL draft prospect Justin JolyIone Prep's Justin Joly (7) breaks a tackle for a touchdown during their 34-7 win over Stepinac in football action at Iona Prep High School in New Rochelle on Saturday, October 2, 2021.3 / 12See former Iona Prep standout and NFL draft prospect Justin JolyIona Prep's Justin Joly carries the ball against Cardinal Hayes during their football game at Iona Prep in New Rochelle, Oct. 16, 2021.4 / 12See former Iona Prep standout and NFL draft prospect Justin JolyIona Prep's Justin Joly (7) breaks a tackle during their 38-22 win over St. Francis in the Catholic state championship at Iona Prep High School New Rochelle on Saturday, November 27, 2021.5 / 12See former Iona Prep standout and NFL draft prospect Justin JolyJustin Joly, center, with parents Robby and Jennifer, signs national letter of intent with Univ. of Connecticut at Iona Prep High School in New Rochelle on Wednesday, December 15, 2021.6 / 12See former Iona Prep standout and NFL draft prospect Justin JolyIona Prep's Justin Joly (7) pulls in a pass during football action against Christ the King at Iona Prep High School, on Saturday, September 25, 2021.7 / 12See former Iona Prep standout and NFL draft prospect Justin JolyNov 18, 2023; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies tight end Justin Joly (17) runs the ball against the Sacred Heart Pioneers in the second half at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports8 / 12See former Iona Prep standout and NFL draft prospect Justin JolySep 11, 2025; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack tight end Justin Joly (7) catches a pass against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in second half at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Luke Jamroz-Imagn Images9 / 12See former Iona Prep standout and NFL draft prospect Justin JolyNov 21, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; NC State Wolfpack tight end Justin Joly (7) celebrates his touchdown to win the game during the second half of the game against Florida State Seminoles at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images10 / 12See former Iona Prep standout and NFL draft prospect Justin JolyOct 25, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack tight end Justin Joly (7) catches the ball for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images11 / 12See former Iona Prep standout and NFL draft prospect Justin JolyAug 28, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack tight end Justin Joly (7) looks on during the warmups prior to the game against East Carolina Pirates at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images12 / 12See former Iona Prep standout and NFL draft prospect Justin JolyFeb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NC State tight end Justin Joly (TE09) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesThere isn’t a single former Brewster resident in the NFL.
“I’m happy to be the representative,” said Joly, who was 7 when the family moved from the Bronx to the suburbs. "We’re getting everyone together here in North Carolina to watch. I have a lot of family here in the South so everyone is coming to me in Raleigh.”
“And he’s as competitive as anyone I’ve every coached,” Spagnolo noted. “Justin has the ability to catch the ball in traffic. That’s a skill. When the coverage is tight, he doesn’t need a lot of separation.”
That fight when the ball is in the air is well documented in every pre-draft profile. Joly measured 6-foot-3 ½ and 241-pounds at the NFL Draft Combine last month.
“I play fluid,” Joly said. “That’s how I describe myself. … I’m a threat, a receiving threat, someone who’s hard to guard. I’ve been shifty my whole career. I’m not the fastest or the strongest, but there are angles and techniques I can use to get one up on the opponent.”
Upon graduating from Wells Middle School and enrolling at Iona Prep, Joly was four inches shorter and 70 pounds lighter than he is now. A growth spurt the next year did not slow him down.
“Usually kids grow like he did they become gawky and have to grow back into their bodies,” Spagnolo said. “He didn’t have that issue.”
The pandemic temporarily put his rise on hold, but Joly was a lohud Super 11 pick senior year and went on to earn all-star recognition after catching 67 passes for 1,033 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2021.
“Justin didn’t have an FBS level offer going into his senior year,” Spagnolo said. “The whole timing of the pandemic impacted the recruiting calendar, so we felt he was really, really underrecruited.”
When the college coaching carousel spun, Joly received an unexpected opportunity from Jim Mora who took over at UConn and got an introduction via new assistant John Marinelli. The former coach at Greenwich High School had a longstanding relationship with Spagnolo.
“There is definitely something to be said for getting to a program where you can play early because the transfer portal is where the real money in the NIL world is,” Spagnolo said. “Everyone has their own journey, and I don’t believe Justin regrets how it worked out.”
Joly appeared in all 12 games for the Huskies in 2022 and broke out sophomore year, catching 56 passes for 578 yards.
Joly levelled up and started 13 games for the Wolfpack in 2024, finishing with 43 catches for 661 yards and four touchdowns. He earned first-team All-ACC honors last fall after hauling in 49 passes for 489 yards and seven touchdowns.