Jets add ‘playmaker’ Jordan Travis to QB room as 5th-round pick

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Former Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis wiped away a tear at first 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 stated. “I imply, it nonetheless hasn’t hit me but. My feelings are sort of in all places proper now.”

Travis, whose promising 2023 season ended with a grotesque 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 had 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. Basic supervisor Joe Douglas stated earlier than the draft that his purpose is to show the Jets right into a “quarterback manufacturing facility,” strongly hinting that he would choose a quarterback.

“I can not 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 sector, on the sector, and simply study little issues,” Travis stated. “Man, I freaking cannot wait.

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

Coach Robert Saleh known as Travis a “dynamic participant” who will profit from 34 years of mixed expertise between Rodgers and Taylor.

“It is a actually cool room,” Saleh stated.

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 grew to become 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 damage, declined to say when he’d be capable of return to soccer actions. He stated he would meet with the Jets’ trainers to find out a timetable.

Douglas was imprecise when requested about Travis’ return, hinting that it might be an prolonged interval earlier than he can apply.

“Clearly, that was a troublesome damage, however we really feel good that he’ll be capable of come again in some unspecified time in the future this 12 months,” stated Douglas, including they are going to have extra info after they get to coaching camp in late July.

It has been a attempting 5 months for Travis, who was a Heisman Trophy candidate for the undefeated Seminoles on the time of his damage in opposition to North Alabama. They completed the common season undefeated, however his damage was the explanation why the Seminoles had been excluded from the Faculty Soccer Playoff.

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

Travis is a dual-threat quarterback who broke a number of college data at Florida State. He produced probably the most touchdowns at school 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 principle factor,” he stated. “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 sector, I need to dominate the man throughout from me. And I am a winner. I imply, that is the principle factor for me is all through my profession, I fell in love with profitable a lot and I hate dropping.”

Stiggers made an unprecedented leap from the CFL to the NFL. Sometimes, CFL gamers are allowed to signal with any NFL staff, 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 dying 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 stated he took a go away from soccer to give attention to 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 challenge.

“It may be a blast,” he stated of the NFL. “I will placed on a present.”