Local standouts from rival high schools will be teammates once again.
Jacob de Jesus (Manteca, 2020) and Zelmar Vedder (East Union, 2021) played a year together for Modesto Junior College, and they’ve since taken separate paths to the same destination in the NFL.
Both are among the undrafted free-agent signings for the Kansas City Chiefs following the conclusion of the NFL Draft this past Saturday.
De Jesus enters the professional ranks after he had expressed interest in returning for another season at Cal. He was one of 27 players in the Pavia v. NCAA court case seeking a temporary restraining order on a rule that counts junior college experience against Division I eligibility.
After a decorated three-year varsity career at Manteca High, de Jesus starred at MJC for two years and UNLV for two more before his lone season in Berkeley.
De Jesus left a big mark as a receiver, backfield threat and special-teams returner at every stop despite his small stature at 5-foot-7, 170 pounds. He left Manteca with single-season and career receiving records, earning All-Valley Oak League MVP, All-Cal-Hi Sports and MaxPreps All-Sac-Joaquin Section honors his senior year. He also played key roles in the Buffaloes’ 2017 and 2019 SJS championships.
His college career was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. In 2021, he and Vedder helped MJC finish 8-3 and win the Grizzly Bowl. De Jesus was named All-Valley League All-Purpose Player of the Year.
The following season, de Jesus earned All-American and All-Region recognition after contributing to the Pirates’ league championship and NorCal playoff appearance. He was named Valley League Most Valuable Offensive Player.
De Jesus continued to flash his offensive versatility at the next level, earning USA Today and Action Network All-America second-team accolades. He was also All-Mountain West punt returner and kickoff returner and one of three finalists for the Jet Award, which recognizes the top return specialist in the nation.
In his senior season at UNLV, de Jesus was named All-Mountain West first-team punt returner and Polynesian College Football Player of the Year. He totaled 1,118 yards and five touchdowns on 96 receptions in 27 games for the Runnin’ Rebels, along with 147 rushing yards and another TD on 29 attempts.
He was even more prolific for Cal this past season — his 108 receptions were second most in the nation and a new single-season program record. De Jesus tallied 1,030 yards and six touchdowns. Among his many highlights was a walk-off touchdown reception in the Golden Bears’ 29-26 overtime win over 15th-ranked Louisville in the Atlantic Coast Conference finale. The clutch catch was his 16th for the game, and he racked up 158 yards. De Jesus is an All-ACC first-team selection as an all-purpose player and return specialist and a second-team receiver.
Vedder was less heralded coming out of high school because injury and the COVID-19 shutdown.
He still managed to follow in footsteps of father David (boxing) and older brother Chris (NFL, Arena League) to professional sports.
The youngest of the Vedders did not get the chance to fully showcase his abilities while at East Union. Zelmar played through a nagging knee injury as a junior, and the Lancers only got to play in four of a maximum five games during the truncated COVID campaign. Despite the few appearances his senior year, he showed what he could do as a receiver and cornerback with his 6-3 frame.
One year was all he needed at MJC to garner attention from NCAA Division I schools. Vedder led the Valley League with four interceptions, one of which was returned for a 97-yard touchdown. He signed with Sacramento State, where he spent three years.
After a red-shirting with a knee injury in 2022, he appeared in 13 games as a sophomore, including two as a starter in Football Championship Subdivision playoff games.
Vedder shined in 2024, netting 44 tackles and a team-high nine pass break-ups to go with an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble in 11 games.
From there, Vedder transferred to Houston. He was productive in the No. 21-ranked Cougars’ defensive backfield with 20 tackles, seven pass breakups and a forced fumble in 13 games played. Vedder boosted his NFL chances during Houston’s Pro Day, posting impressive marks with a 39.5-inch vertical jump, 10-10 broad jump and 4.51-second 40-yard dash.
De Jesus and Vedder — who both wore No. 21 at their last college stops — will next take part in the Chiefs’ rookie mini camp this Friday and Saturday.
