Pop goes my mind every time DeMario “Pop” Douglas touches the football. The electrifying Liberty Flame was selected with the 210th pick in the 2023 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. His story is truly remarkable, as an un-ranked college recruit out of high school with 0 stars, Douglas now becomes one of the stars of the NFL draft.
Douglas redshirted as a frshamn in 2019, but played in four games with 9 catches for 136 yards. In 2020, he earned Freshman All-American distinction as a punt returner with 15 returns for 166 yards averaging 11.1 yards per return with a TD. At receiver, Douglas caught 32 balls for 363 yards and 3 TDs.
The next year he recorded 52 catches for 701 yards and 6 TDs. While also returning a punt for a TD. Douglas led the Flames in receiving for two straight years including 79 catches for 993 yards and 6 TDs.
Douglas is no stranger to leading the way. In high school at Mandarin, Douglas led his Mustangs to the school’s first state championship in 2018. He caught 4 touchdowns in the game setting a FHSAA record. On offense that year, Douglas starred at wide receiver amassing 72 catches for 1,382 yards as he created matchup nightmares for defensive backs torching them for 16 touchdowns his senior year.
His ability to separate from defenders and be in the right place at the right time allowed his quarterbacks Carson Beck (Georgia) and Tre Lawrence (Alcorn St) to target him night in and night out without hesitation.
DeMario also excelled on special teams in high school with 1,752 all-purpose yards and 2 returns for touchdowns. It’s no coincidence that he was noted as one of the top returners in college football at Liberty, and will make those same eye popping plays in the NFL.
