Jets add ‘playmaker’ Jordan Travis to QB room as Fifth-round choose

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Former Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis wiped away a tear at the beginning of his video convention with reporters, overcome with emotion after being chosen within the fifth spherical by the New York Jets on Saturday.

“It is a freaking dream come true,” Travis mentioned. “I imply, it nonetheless hasn’t hit me but. My feelings are type of in every single place proper now.”

Travis, whose promising 2023 season ended with a ugly left ankle fracture final November, can restart his profession on a quarterback depth chart that features future Corridor of Famer Aaron Rodgers and seasoned backup Tyrod Taylor. Travis was the eighth quarterback chosen, the primary Florida State quarterback since Jameis Winston went No. 1 general to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015.

The Jets have been on the lookout for a developmental quarterback after buying and selling Zach Wilson, the No. 2 choose in 2021, to the Denver Broncos on Monday. Normal supervisor Joe Douglas mentioned earlier than the draft that his objective is to show the Jets right into a “quarterback manufacturing facility,” strongly hinting that he would choose a quarterback.

“I am unable to wait to fulfill Aaron and Tyrod, simply choose their brains each single day, see how they deal with their teammates, how they carry themselves off the sphere, on the sphere, and simply study little issues,” Travis mentioned. “Man, I freaking cannot wait.

“I really like watching Aaron Rodgers, ever since I used to be a bit of boy,” he added. “I imply, he is considered one of my brother’s favourite quarterbacks, so I’ve at all times watched him. To have a chance to go work with him and simply study from him is such a blessing.”

Later within the fifth spherical, 5 picks after Travis, the Jets chosen former CFL participant Qwan’tez Stiggers, who performed cornerback for the Toronto Argonauts. Stiggers turned the third participant within the common-draft period (since 1967) to be drafted with out having attended faculty and the primary CFL participant with no faculty expertise to be drafted.

Travis, who wasn’t capable of take part within the scouting mix or professional day due to his harm, declined to say when he’d be capable of return to soccer actions. He mentioned he would meet with the Jets’ trainers to find out a timetable.

It has been a making an attempt 5 months for Travis, who was a Heisman Trophy candidate for the undefeated Seminoles on the time of his harm in opposition to North Alabama. They completed the common season undefeated, however his harm was the explanation why the Seminoles have been excluded from the School Soccer Playoff.

“It has been a grind, however I like it,” he mentioned, choking up. “I really like such a stuff. I really like having to get up each single day and having to decide and make a alternative on who I’ll be each single day. I simply love the work, and I really like simply seeing enchancment each single day. So, yeah, man. I imply, it has been a journey, but it surely’s been a blessing from the person upstairs.”

Travis is a dual-threat quarterback who broke a number of faculty information at Florida State. He produced probably the most touchdowns in class historical past (97) and probably the most yards in whole offense (10,553). He improved his passing accuracy in 2023, with 20 landing passes and solely two interceptions.

“I am a playmaker. That is the primary factor,” he mentioned. “I make performs when every thing breaks down. Yeah, man, I am only a baller. I am a competitor. Each single time I get on the sphere, I wish to dominate the man throughout from me. And I am a winner. I imply, that is the primary factor for me is all through my profession, I fell in love with profitable a lot and I hate shedding.”

Stiggers made an unprecedented leap from the CFL to the NFL. Usually, CFL gamers are allowed to signal with any NFL group, however he by no means attended faculty and was subsequently eligible for the draft.

He took a circuitous journey, leaving soccer for 2 years after his father’s demise after which returning to play semi-pro earlier than becoming a member of the CFL. His father, Rayves Harrison, died in September, 2020; he was in a coma for a number of months after a one-car accident. Stiggers mentioned he took a go away from soccer to concentrate on his psychological well being.

Within the CFL, Stiggers was named most excellent rookie whereas enjoying for the Toronto Argonauts. The Jets have a crowded cornerback room, led by All-Professional Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed. Very like Travis, the Jets see Stiggers as a long-term venture.

“It’ll be a blast,” he mentioned of the NFL. “I’ll placed on a present.”