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Trikweze Bridges is going to Hollywood. The former Lanett Panther and Florida Gator was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers as the 40th pick in the final round of the 2025 NFL draft on April 26. 

It is telling that the defensive back chose to spend his draft night in his hometown of Lanett. 

“It was really exciting,” Bridges said. “It was a blessing to have the people that I had with me. I had both my families all together. I’ve never had that before, my mom and dad’s side.”

The final night of the draft was an anxious and drawn-out one as Bridges was the second-to-last pick. However, he was waiting for the Chargers. 

“I got a phone call and everybody just went from partying to, like, I don’t know whatever word is bigger than partying, because it was a big celebration. We just really enjoy each other and it was a special moment with my family,” he said.

“All day I was going back-and-forth pacing,” Bridges said most of the day was spent trying to predict when, and to which team, he would go. For many late picks, the question if they would even get picked. But Bridges settled and focused on what he could control, a theme in his career. 

“I said, ‘You know what, Kweze, put that phone down and just really enjoy family, because what will happen will happen, ’” Bridges reflected. “I knew the Chargers were down the line somewhere, but by the time I even looked up, they were calling my phone.”

Bridges said he hopes the transition to a professional football player won’t be drastic, as he has approached football as a career since his high school days. 

“I’ve kind of been preparing myself [for] a long time for when I have a chance to go to the NFL. I just started training like a professional, getting up early, doing things that I thought the guys in the league were doing, and kind of help me prepare for this day,” he said. 

He got business done both on and off the field. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from the University of Oregon and a certificate in Sports Management from Florida. 

Los Angeles is far from Lanett, Alabama, but Bridges is used to change. After graduating from LHS, he played at Oregon before transferring to the University of Florida for his final year of eligibility. 

“I’m kind of used to the area, and I do know a lot of people that I play with [at] Oregon and then some of the coaches that was [recruiting] during my college and high school careers. 

The former Panther was a standout defensive back in college. But as a rookie, he just wants to get on the field in any capacity. 

“Special teams is going to be very important for me, me being able to use my attributes…so first thing will be the quickest way for me to go on the field and contribute to a team goal,” Bridges added he will also be hitting the books once again in order to know the team’s playbook off the bat. 

“It’s like in college when you first come in, unless you’re a five-star [recruit]…As a freshman, they’re going to start you on special teams, to just get you out there to get you adapted to the environment,” explained Bridges. 

While Bridges is not the first Lanett player to go to the NFL, Bridge’s old Lanett teammate, Kristian Story signed as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta Falcons over the weekend, he makes it clear that young players coming up can not expect the title of professional football player without putting in the work. 

“You need to just stay dedicated, believe in yourself, believe that they can do it, coming from Lynette,” said Bridges. “A lot of people have done it, it’s just you have to be this different. You have to start planning things out, start focusing on things you wanna do after you leave high school.”

Bridges got to see all of his planning pay off on Saturday.