FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The primary purpose is to play soccer once more. After that, New York Jets rookie Jordan Travis — solely 5 months faraway from a grotesque leg damage that ended his faculty profession — hopes to turn into Aaron Rodgers’ inheritor obvious at quarterback.
It’d take a while earlier than that occurs, however the former Florida State star acknowledged that the concept of succeeding 40-year-old Rodgers has crossed his thoughts.
“Sure, sir, I do take into consideration that rather a lot,” Travis mentioned Saturday on the Jets’ rookie minicamp. “However proper now, I am simply centered on the place my ft are, simply getting wholesome and getting all people round me higher, being an incredible teammate.”
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The Jets drafted Travis with the primary of three picks within the fifth spherical (171 total) as a result of they love his long-term potential. They don’t have any intention of taking part in him this season, not with Rodgers — a future Corridor of Famer — and veteran backup Tyrod Taylor forward of him on the depth chart.
Rodgers mentioned just lately that he may play “two or three or 4” extra seasons, relying on how his physique holds up. Travis might be ready some time for his shot, however he believes he could be a starter within the NFL.
“100%,” he mentioned. “Sure, sir.”
Travis, a record-setting, program-elevating quarterback for the Seminoles, nonetheless is rehabbing his surgically repaired left ankle. He was in uniform for rookie camp, however he was strictly a bystander. He rode the stationary bike and watched drills from the aspect, holding a soccer and looking out antsy. On Friday, he tried to affix the stretch line and was promptly eliminated. Simple does it.
“I am simply grateful to have a ball in my hand once more and have a helmet on my head,” mentioned Travis, who’s wanting ahead to assembly Rodgers and Taylor.
Travis was main Florida State to a storybook season till final Nov. 18, when his decrease left leg was severely injured towards North Alabama. His faculty profession was over, and the Seminoles, regardless of an undefeated common season, have been excluded from the Faculty Soccer Playoff, sparking a serious controversy.
Travis, 24, mentioned he by no means doubted he’d get again on the sector.
“By no means,” he mentioned. “I imply, I really like adversity. I really like waking up each single day and having to choose. It simply makes the story a complete lot cooler. I’ve at all times had that from the day I broke my leg till now. So I find it irresistible. So there’s by no means been a doubt.”
The Jets are hopeful that Travis can be able to take part in coaching camp in late July. He can be in catch-up mode, having missed the on-field work within the spring. The group has the luxurious of bringing him alongside slowly, letting him study from Rodgers and Taylor, who’ve 32 years of mixed expertise. The one different quarterback on the roster is Peewee Jarrett, an undrafted rookie from Division II West Florida.
Coach Robert Saleh mentioned the Jets view Travis as “a ball of clay,” a participant with thrilling potential who wants to shine his throwing mechanics and footwork.
“I feel he hasn’t even scratched the floor,” Saleh mentioned. “He was profitable video games, doing issues that have been simply pure athleticism. If we may tie within the soccer half to it, I feel we have got ourselves a reasonably rattling good soccer participant.”
