Two weeks after the NFL Draft, the Jets are losing one of the top members of their front office.
Joey Clinkscales, the team’s vice president of college scouting for the past four years, is leaving to take a “prominent” front office position with the Raiders, a source confirmed.
The move is not a surprise. ESPN reported in the days leading up to the draft that Clinkscales could be leaving the Jets. He and new Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie are close friends. The two played high school and college football together.
It is unclear what Clinkscales’ exact job will be in Oakland. McKenzie has led an overhaul of the team’s front office, including the scouting department.
Clinkscales, who spent 17 years with the Jets, tried to shoot down the rumors of his departure on the final day of the draft.
“I expect to be here,” Clinkscales said. “I understand where the connection comes in, to be honest with you. Reggie and I have played high school and college ball together. We were in each other’s weddings. I’ve known Reggie forever. But this is where I started, and this is where I plan on being.”
Clinkscales began as a scout for the Jets. He became the vice president of college scouting in 2008, helping general manager Mike Tannenbaum run the draft On his watch, the team took outside linebacker Vernon Gholston in 2008, a pick that turned out to be a terrible blunder. The Jets also traded up to draft quarterback Mark Sanchez in 2009 under Clinkscales.
The departure of Clinkscales could lead to some major changes in the Jets scouting department.
brian.costello@nypost.com