CORTLAND — Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson did not need anyone to tell him what safety Jaiquawn Jarrett was capable of doing.
The two were college teammates at Temple, and both were taken in the first two rounds of the 2011 NFL Draft. While Wilkerson has flourished with the Jets, Jarrett spent one full season with the Eagles, who took him in the second round, before getting cut.
The Jets signed Jarrett at the end of last year on a futures contract, and he has turned heads in training camp. Yesterday, he was with the starting defense after a strong game Friday night in Detroit.
“In the game, guys on the sideline [were yelling], ‘Hey 37 coming up hitting,’ ” Wilkerson said, referring to Jarrett’s jersey number. “Everyone recognized it in the game.”
For Wilkerson, it was a reminder of the player he knew at Temple. The Jets actually had Jarrett rated highly on their draft board, but the Eagles took him first. In Philadelphia, Jarrett never lived up to his reputation as a hard hitter and sure tackler. Before last season, they let him go.
“It’s always difficult,” Jarrett said about spending a year out of football. “You always go through obstacles in life, so getting cut, it was just so surreal. It made me understand and realize how the business is, so I was just thankful for the opportunity that the Jets organization has given me.”
Jarrett is competing with Antonio Allen for the starting safety spot opposite Dawan Landry, and appears to be in the lead right now.
“Here’s a guy that from Day 1 has made the most of his reps and his time,” defensive backs coach Tim McDonald said. “He’s gotten better and better every single practice. He’s done an excellent job of learning the defense, understanding what we’re expecting. He’s really done a great job of doing what he’s supposed to.”
McDonald said the job has not been won yet and expects the competition to be close.
“Who’s going to be the guy? Who’s going to be the guy that steps up and says, ‘Hey, look, I want to be on the field?’ ” McDonald said. “I want to be the guy in the lineup. I don’t want to count the other guys out. [Allen] made some great plays. He’s made some great strides. I think it’s going to go down to the wire with those guys.”