Getty N.C. State running back Zonovan 'Bam' Knight was the first UDFA signing by the New York Jets in 2022.
Just like that, the long-awaited NFL draft weekend has ended, but the rookie class isn’t complete. New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas always signs a lengthy list of undrafted prospects and this tracker will detail every 2022 addition.
Before we get into the UDFAs, a final look at the Jets 2022 draft class in its entirety, which ended up being quality over quantity:
- Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner, cornerback.
- Garrett Wilson, wide receiver.
- Jermaine Johnson II, defensive end.
- Breece Hall, running back.
- Jeremy Ruckert, tight end.
- Max Mitchell, offensive tackle.
- Micheal Clemons, defensive end.
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2022 UDFA Tracker
This tracker will update as signings occur, so keep it handy!
Zonovan ‘Bam’ Knight, running back, N.C. State
Former N.C. State RB Zonovan “Bam” Knight is signing with the #Jets, per source.
The 5-foot-11 rusher will join a crowded backfield that saw Breece Hall enter the fold in round two alongside Michael Carter, Tevin Coleman and more. Mike LaFleur loves to have fresh horses to call upon should he need them, but Knight will have to impress to make the roster.
The N.C. State product was consistent during his three-year career with between 740 and 790 rushing yards in each campaign. Knight scored 10 touchdowns and totaled 924 scrimmage yards in 2020 — his best season.
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein noted that he “spent most of his time handling zone carries” in college, so it’s a scheme fit for the Jets. Knight also offers some ability as a kick returner and a pass-catcher.
Irvin Charles, wide receiver, Penn State/IUP
#Jets are signing Penn State WR Irvin Charles, per @DougKyed. #TakeFlight #NFLDraft
An interesting case of a former Penn State athlete that last played for the school in 2017. After being dismissed from the team for violating team rules, Charles transferred to IUP but didn’t play until 2021 according to Sam Fremin.
He declared this year after a 792-yard season with 12 touchdowns. The talent appears to be there, but there are some obvious off-the-field flags that kept Charles from getting selected.
DQ Thomas, linebacker, Middle Tennessee
#Jets have added @MT_FB LB DQ Thomas, per @CoachStock. #TakeFlight #NFLDraft
Thomas was a four-year starter for Middle Tennessee with over 300 tackles for the university. He adds 53 tackles for a loss, 20.5 sacks, two interceptions and eight forced fumbles to his resume.
Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network described Thomas’ positives: “Athletic linebacker who flashes a complete game. Agile and fluid moving about the field and breaks down well. Quickly picks up coverage assignments, covers a good amount of area, and displays speed pursuing the action. Moves well laterally and sells out on the blitz but stays with his responsibilities. Resilient and effectively uses his hands to protect himself.”
Although Thomas is undersized (6-foot-2, 225 pounds), he’ll get a legitimate shot to crack a shallow linebacker core. His background and scouting report reminds of Quincy Williams a bit, but with much less of a track record. Coach Stock announced his signing on Twitter.
Savion Williams, defensive tackle, Florida A&M
Florida A&M football reported that defensive tackle Savion Williams would be signing with the Jets. The 6-foot-4 lineman appears to be a run-clogger on the surface. NFL Draft Buzz noted that his “bull rush will get stonewalled,” adding a positive that Williams “combines strength and footwork to fill holes inside.”
He may not offer much as a pass-rusher but the Jets do have a void at nose tackle. If Williams can show something in camp, perhaps he can stick with the organization and be groomed as an early-down specialist. His major weaknesses to overcome will be anchor strength and consistency in his tackling.
Allan George, cornerback, Vanderbilt
The #Jets are signing @VandyFootball CB Allan George, per well himself @A11ANG? #TakeFlight #NFLDraft
A 6-foot-1 cornerback who was a fifth-year senior at Vanderbilt. George told NFL Draft Diamonds that his “raw athleticism” and “adaptability” sets him apart from other defensive backs.
He continued that not all CBs can “run 4.3 40 times and jump a 10’10” broad jump,” adding that he is thankful for his “explosiveness and great short-area quickness.” George finished his college career with 142 tackles, 19 passes defended, 11 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and a forced fumble.
C.J. Brewer, defensive tackle, Coastal Carolina
#Jets have added @CoastalFootball DT C.J. Brewer, per @uSTADIUM. #NFLDraft #TakeFlight
A former wrestler according to NFL Draft Buzz, who noted that Brewer rarely goes to the ground with great balance. He’s also an “excellent hustle-and-chase tackler” that “played with lean and leverage against the run,” making him a challenge to move.
NDB praised the 6-foot-2 Brewer as a “strong tackler” with some ability as a pass rusher as well, but admitted that he might be “limited to one-gap systems.”
Brewer accumulated 231 tackles at Coastal (32 for a loss) with 16.0 sacks and five forced fumbles over five seasons. Another potential run-defender for Robert Saleh in this UDFA class.
Keshunn Abram, wide receiver, Kent State
#Jets signed @KentStFootball WR Keshunn Abram, per @loyalnyjetfans. #NFLDraft #TakeFlight
Ali Ashraf first reported the signing of the Kent State wideout. Abram accumulated 699 yards in 2021 with 47 receptions and three touchdowns.
He stands at a 6-foot-2 height with a 193-pound build and was a fifth-year senior. Abram began his journey in community college and was an MACJC All-Academic Team selection. His career start was against No. 5 ranked Iowa in 2021, hauling in six catches for 138 yards and a touchdown.
Tony Adams, safety, Illinois
Illinois S Tony Adams headed to the #Jets.
A former cornerback that switched to safety, Adams is yet another DB to add to the NYJ secondary. The Illinois product is 5-foot-11 and offers ability as a big nickel corner and safety. He was a bit of a ballhawk in college with six interceptions and 11 passes defended, with 200-plus tackles.
According to Lance Zierlein, “he has good recovery speed, but the body control and route anticipation create issues with giving away open throwing windows on the second and third levels.” The analyst added that “he’s quick to respond when reading the run but will miss more tackles than he should.”
D.J. Ford, cornerback, East Carolina
J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets! @fordDamion12 🏴☠️
The East Carolina Twitter account revealed Ford had signed late on April 30 as well. The cornerback attended North Carolina for three seasons before transferring to East Carolina — where he got more burn.
Ford only had one interception and seven passes defended in college, but did force a fumble and recover two more. He has a big frame, standing at 6-foot-3, 208 pounds.
Ron Hunt, wide receiver, North Carolina A&T
𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 to the Big 🍏‼️ ✈️
@NCATFootball’s Ron Hunt has signed with the @nyjets!
Big South Conference announced one more Jet signing, a third wide receiver out of North Carolina A&T. Hunt is a 6-foot-3 target for Zach Wilson that was a fifth-year senior in 2021.
He dealt with some injuries during his final campaign and only accumulated 362 yards receiving. Hunt tallied 146 of those yards and both touchdowns during the first game.
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Camp Tryouts
Trenten Morrow, safety, Sienna
Sienna Safety Trenten Morrow has been invited to #Jets rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, per @AaronWilson_NFL. #TakeFlight #NFLDraft
Morrow is a 6-foot-3 safety with versatility and physicality. He’s a local kid that played for Sienna, and he’ll earn a tryout with the Jets according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network.
In an interview with NFL Draft Diamonds, Morrow told writer Jimmy Williams that his best quality was that he “leads by example.” He also voiced that he’s a strong safety that was sometimes used as a nickel linebacker, reminiscent of current versatile safety Ashtyn Davis.
Brett Borske, tight end, Western Michigan
Western Michigan tight end Brett Borske invited to the Jets’ minicamp, per a league source
A “big, strong, blocking tight end who plays nasty football,” according to Pauline of Pro Football Network. Not much of a receiver with six catches in 2021 and four in 2020.
This feels like another in-line TE option for LaFleur, who has overhauled the position. He’ll earn a tryout at minicamp according to Wilson.
Jeremy Webb, cornerback, Kansas
New York Jets invited cornerback Jeremy Webb to their rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, per a league source.
A 6-foot-4 cornerback out of Kansas will get a tryout just two years after UDFA Lamar Jackson played meaningful games and one year after Isaiah Dunn did the same. The Jets CB room looks a lot different with D.J. Reed Jr. and Sauce Gardner leading the way but Webb will earn a look all the same.
He told NFL Draft Diamonds that he’s a “competitive high-energy” player. Webb added that his size sets him apart, and that man coverage is his favorite style of defense.
DeAndre Torrey, running back, North Texas
#Jets are inviting @MeanGreenFB RB DeAndre Torrey to rookie mini-camp, per @JustinM_NFL of @TheDraftNetwork. #NFLDraft #TakeFlight
Another running back that will look to make an impact in a tryout. “Torrey is a burner with a great top speed as well as a shiftiness to his game,” scouted PFN’s Pauline. He amassed over 1,200 yards on the ground in 2021 and over 1,300 scrimmage yards.
He’s undersized but “tough,” with “outstanding running vision” and patience in finding gaps. Torrey could find a reserve role in this run-heavy offense if he stands out in camp. The North Texas RB was rumored to have signed as well, but then that rumor was refuted in a follow-up tweet.
LD Brown, running back, Oklahoma State
#Jets invited @CowboyFB RB LD Brown to rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, per @AaronWilson_NFL. #NFLDraft #TakeFlight
Another running back for this offense to mull over. Brown played for the OSU Cowboys and his visit was reported by Wilson once again.
At 5-foot-9, Brown does not have much size but does have “quick feet and straight-line speed” according to NFL Draft Buzz. They added that he has good vision and reliable hands as a receiver, but tends to be indecisive in key moments.
Tyrell Ford, defensive back, CFL- Waterloo
#Jets have extended a second rookie minicamp invite to @CFL DB Tyrell Ford, per @loyalnyjetfans. #TakeFlight #NFLDraft
An invite for a CFL player also came in through Ali Ashraf, his second minicamp with the Jets. The 6-foot Ford has added ability as a kick and punt returner. He had two punt returns over 58 yards in 2021.
As a defensive back, Ford did register one interception for Waterloo last season.
Nick Starkel, quarterback, San Jose State
The Jets also invited a quarterback to minicamp, San Jose State product Nick Starkel — per San Jose State Football on Twitter. The former Spartan is likely just a camp arm but threw for 3,819 passing yards over two seasons at SJS (58% completions).
He began his college career with Texas A&M before transferring twice — Arkansas and eventually, San Jose State. Starkel threw 26 touchdowns and 14 interceptions over his final two campaigns.
Breylin Smith, quarterback, Central Arkansas
Time to #TakeFlight
@BreylinSmith has landed a mini camp invite to the @nyjets. Congratulations!!
Hold the phone, Starkel may have some competition! The Jets will also invite a Central Arkansas product to camp in Smith, announced by UCA Bears Football on Twitter.
NFL Draft Diamonds listed him as a non-FBS quarterback to watch. They scouted: “Smith is a big and athletic quarterback with great touch. Last year, he shredded up his competition at UCA. The 6’3, 210 pound quarterback from Conway, Arkansas, finished last season throwing 19 touchdowns, 12 of those to Lujuan Winningham and 7 to Tyler Hudson.”
Liam Welch, quarterback, Samford
Samford University quarterback Liam Welch invited to New York Jets’ rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, per a league source
A third quarterback has entered the mix according to Wilson, Liam Welch of Samford. The former Bulldog had 3,369 yards passing in 2021 with 22 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He completed 65.9% of his passes and stands at a 6-foot-2 frame.
He started six of Samford’s seven games and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award for the top offensive player in all of FCS football.
Dan Smith, quarterback, Villanova
Is the fourth time the chance for the Jets? One last QB rookie minicamp invite goes out to Dan Smith out of Villanova, confirmed by Villanova Football on Twitter.
The quarterback threw for 2,567 yards in 2021 at a completion percentage of 55.4%. That amounted to 24 touchdowns through the air and 10 interceptions — eight rushing TDs.
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