The Jets announced today they have signed Demario Davis, the Arkansas State linebacker selected in the third round of April's draft, 77th overall.
Davis is the seventh of the Jets' eight draft picks to sign contracts, leaving seventh-round WR Jordan White as the only unsigned draftee.
Head coach Rex Ryan has been very happy with his draft class, specifically with the top three picks — DE Quinton Coples, WR Stephen Hill and Davis. And Davis caught Ryan's eye during Thursday's OTA practice and other workouts, saying he's "flying around, making his presence felt."
And during the rookie minicamp a month ago, Ryan liked the leadership skills he was seeing in the young man from Brandon, Miss.
"Just talking to him and the way he carries himself, I go back and I think of others and not everybody has it," the coach said. "You can have a list of 500 names up there on the wall, but how many real leaders are up there? It's easy to say this guy was a leader for his football team and all that, but does he have that thing that he can lead men? That's rare and some guys have it.
"His face, mannerisms, passion — I see some things. It's interesting and when you watch him on the tape, he pops off the tape. He reminds me of a young Bart Scott. He's just full of energy, flying all over the place, and couldn't wait to hit somebody and that's kind of how he reminds me."
