Nashua's Curtis Harris-Lopez, who just completed his final year of college eligibility at James Madison, is declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft. (File photo)

Nashua’s Curtis Harris-Lopez has won a championship at Nashua North. He had a brilliant four-year Division I career at Holy Cross.

Then he had a chance to play in the Division I College Football Playoff with James Madison vs. Oregon.

But that’s not the end of the dream, because Harris-Lopez has announced on social media he is officially declaring for the NFL Draft.

“To my family and friends thank you for believing in me when no one else did, for supporting me when the path wasn’t clear, and for standingby me no matter what,” Harris-Lopez said in a posted statement. “Your love, sacrifices, and constant support mean more to me than words can explain.

“To Nashua North, thank you for starting this journey and seeing something in me before the world did. You laid the foundation, instilled the work ethic, and gae me the confidence to chase something bigger.

“To Holy Cross, thank you for taking a chance on a kid from Nashua, New Hampshire, and giving me the opportunity to prove I belonged. That opportunity changed my life and I’ll always be grateful to call myself a Sader!”

Harris then thanked James Madison.

“To James Madison, thank you for allowing me to continue pursuing my dream, pushing me to another level, and helping me grow into the player and man I am today. It was an honor to be a Duke.”

And then came the punchline:

“With that being said,” he wrote, “I am officially declaring or th 2026 NFL Draft.”

The three-day, seven-round draft will take place this April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. Round 1 will be that Thursday night, Apr. 23, with the second and third rounds the next night and then rounds 4 through 7 that Saturday, Apr. 25.

If he’s not drafted, Harris-Lopez could land in an NFL camp as a rookie free agent. General managers are usually hitting the phones to sign players the minute the seventh round ends.

Harris-Lopez, a 2021 North grad who quarterbacked the Titans to the Division I title, was sought after by colleges more for his play at defensive back and was a stellar safety and kick returner at Holy Cross.

His final year at HC he started all 12 games at safety, with 55 tackles (30 solo), 9.5 for loss, one forced fumble, two interceptions (one a pick-six) and five pass breakups. He also averaged 26.9 yards per kickoff return with a TD, a 95-yard jaunt vs. Bryant.

His junior season at Holy Cross he had 65 tackles, 37 solo with four for loss and four pass breakups.

His playing time wasn’t quite the same at JMU but he was named Sun Belt Conference Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 29 after an 88-yard kickoff return for a TD vs. Georgia Southern.

And now he’ll continue to train with an eye on continuing his football career for as far as it will take him.

“This journey was never easy,” Harris-Lopez wrote, “but it was always purposeful.”