Like any good sports documentary, the fifth season of Netflix’s Last Chance U is a Trojan horse. It rides out of the tunnel showing football and then opens into a story about everything but athletics. This season was different because the focus of local students in a junior college program who are unable to get local housing on campus or scholarships at all threw a different twist in the season.
Netflix chose the Laney College Eagles this time because the team had just come off an 11-2 National Championship season. They also chose Laney because of coach John Beam, the “godfather of football in Oakland” (This season was Beam’s 40th year of coaching Oakland football). Unfortunately, the Eagles couldn’t overcome early stumbles in the 2019 season, and though they were 4-1 in conference play, their 6-4 overall record put them just outside playoff contention.
But as the season ended, the real game began: college recruitment. For many players, this game would decide both their athletic future and their immediate professional opportunities. Here’s where all the featured Laney Eagles players ended up.
#66 Nu’u Taugavau
Offensive lineman Nu’u Taugavau warmed viewers’ hearts with his touching story. Nu’u is married with two young children and even brings his little ones to practices/classes at times to accommodate his wife’s school and work schedule. Taugavau’s hard work at Laney paid off when he was offered a scholarship to Murray State. Though he isn’t yet listed on the roster yet, Taugavau’s wife, Tia, shared on Facebook that the whole family plans to relocate to Kentucky to further his football career.
#2 Rejzohn Wright
After some early deliberation, DB Rejzohn Wright accepted an offer from Oregon State, where his brother and former Laney alum also currently plays. Wright will be competing for a starting spot to play opposite his brother. Wright was ranked no. five nationally for junior cornerbacks. He will be pursuing a degree in sociology while at Oregon State.
#4 Dior Walker-Scott
Dior Walker-Scott’s story certainly tugged at heartstrings on Last Chance U. The talented wide receiver selflessly stepped in to play quarterback, knowing it may ruin his chances of playing Division I. He sets his sights on the University of Hawaii, and fortunately for him, he made it there. Walker-Scott earned a preferred walk-on spot for the Rainbow Warriors next season. Though the future of college football remains uncertain amid COVID-19, we’ll hope he gets to play. He’s currently living in Hawaii and no longer sleeping in his car.
#6 RJ Stern
Probably the most slept on and underrated player on the team, RJ never truly lived up to the hype. We learn that wide receiver RJ Stern is headed to Division II school Tusculum University in Greeneville, TN. However, upon research, he recently changed his mind and de-committed from Tusculum. Stern is truly holding out for a straight shot to play DI football at some point. Stern remains in the same house shown on the series and is working out to stay in tip-top shape.
