When Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez looks at rookie wide receiver Jeremy Kerley he sees “a baller.” When running back Landainian Tomlinson looked at Kerley, first and foremost he saw a horned frog. Specifically, a TCU Horned Frog.
OK, so maybe horned frogs are not indigenous to New York or even East Rutherford, N.J., but ballers are, and Kerley is creating some excitement in the early stages of Jets camp with hands, speed, acceleration and footwork.
“Kerley’s got a chance to be something special,” said coach Rex Ryan.
“For them to have confidence in me, it’s a great feeling,” said Kerley, a fifth-round pick who was also return specialist at Texas Christian University — also Tomlinson’s alma mater. “All I can do is go out and take control of what I can take control of and that’s working hard and putting something into these coaches’ minds. . . . I want to show that I’m a hard worker. Regardless of any situation they put me in, I’ll play ball as a professional and like a professional.”
And as a versatile professional. That’s the hope for the Jets who need someone to fill the jack-of-all trades roles handled by the departed Brad Smith, who also orchestrated the Wildcat offense — something Kerley did at TCU. He laughed about doing it on the NFL level.
“I hope to do some of it here. I hope the coaches have trust in me to take over that job, take over that role but I’m a team player. Whatever the coaches need, I’ll do. Whether it’s the Wildcat, kickoffs whatever,” the 5-foot-9, 188-pound Kerley said. “I could put on a little more weight. Returning punts and kicks, that’s a challenge in itself. But I think I can bang with the big boys.”
First things first. And first thing Kerley has shown is a presence amid the wide receiver corps that has lost Jeremy Cotchery, Smith, Braylon Edwards and has legit questions, such as Plaxico Burress returning from extended time off. But Tomlinson is one who provides a big endorsement for his fellow Horned Frog, whom he first met on a return trip to TCU. He watched a little spring practice and was impressed.
“He’s a guy that can really help us. I don’t see anybody being really able to cover him in the slot one-on-one,” Tomlinson said. “You watch [TCU] from afar as I did, watch him on TV and watching him develop, making plays and becoming a guy TCU relied on when they needed a play.
“At TCU we always feel like we have to outwork everybody else. And Jeremy has that right attitude.”
Once a Horned Frog, always a Horned Frog.
“It’s been 99 miles an hour, but it’s been fun,” said Kerley who has three mentors in Tomlinson, Burress and Santonio Holmes. “I wouldn’t say it’s pressure. If I get any spot on this team, I’d be grateful.”
fred.kerber@nypost.com