The Jets have signed tackle Chuma Edoga, their third-round draft pick (92nd overall) out of the University of Southern California.
Edoga (6'3", 308), who turned 22 last month, has explained his approach to playing tackle simply: "I like to use my athleticism and play with aggressiveness, try to get off the ball and hit somebody in the mouth."
He did that to good effect at USC, playing in 44 games (25 starts) over four seasons from 2015-18 and starting 22 games at right tackle the past two years. But he started at both tackle spots in college and at the Senior Bowl and says he thinks he can play either side with the Jets, "wherever the coaches need me to play."
Twelve of those USC starts came on the O-line that protected QB Sam Darnold in 2017.
"I blocked for Sammy D in college," Edoga said, "and to block for him in the NFL, it's a blessing, a dream come true."
"I'm just really excited for him, just as a friend, for him to be able to get drafted where he was drafted and for us to take a chance on him, I think it's going to pay off for this organization in the future," Darnold said. "I see him really excelling in the NFL."
Edoga, who missed the start of the Jets' rookie orientation under head coach Adam Gase in May because he was receiving his degree from USC, becomes the 17th Trojan to be drafted by the Jets, the fourth offensive lineman and the third tackle, arriving after Marvin Powell was taken fourth overall in 1977 and Dave Cadigan went eighth overall in 1988.
Edoga is the fifth player of the Green & White's six-man draft class to sign.
