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There’s a new UConn rep within the NFL. Defensive lineman Travis Jones obtained the decision in the course of the third spherical of the NFL Draft Friday night time, taken by the Ravens with the 76th general choose.
Jones is the forty third UConn participant to be drafted by the NFL. The primary participant drafted from Wilbur Cross Excessive, Jones watched the draft with household and associates in New Haven.
“All people was pleased for me,” Jones stated, in a Zoom call with reporters. “My mama began crying and stuff. Nice expertise. The emotion was loopy, rising up, all the time having this dream as a child and having it come true. It was an enormous deal for me and my household.”
The Ravens completed 8-9 final season, fourth within the AFC North, however had one of many higher defenses towards the run, permitting 84.5 yards per recreation. GM Eric DeCosta was searching for youthful linemen to play with Calais Campbell, Michael Pierce and Justin Madubuike. Jones ought to match with an enormous, bodily line in Baltimore.
“His fashion of play actually matches us,” DeCosta told reporters in Baltimore. “[He’s] a man that may play a number of spots on the line of defense, a younger child with super upside, and he’s only a nice scheme match.”
Jones held down an inside line place for UConn for 3 seasons, enjoying in 36 video games with 134 tackles and eight 1/2 sacks. In 2021, although the Huskies had been 1-11, Jones excelled towards the highest groups on the schedule, earned an invite to to the Senior Bowl, and with sturdy performances there and on the NFL Mix, lifted himself into the highest stage of prospects.
“Travis Jones is a participant that, actually, I observed for the primary time on the Senior Bowl,” DeCosta stated. “He’s simply powerfully constructed, and [he] was unblockable that week down in Cell.”
Joe Hortiz, the Ravens director of participant personnel, famous that Jones had the stamina to play 70 % of UConn’s snaps, even because the Huskies protection was on the sector so much in its shedding efforts.
At 6 toes 4 and 325 kilos, he has proven distinctive pace and agility, working the 40-yard sprint in 4.92 seconds. Within the NFL, Jones, together with his skill to tie up a number of blockers, initiatives as a run-stopping specialist, and a nostril sort out in a three-lineman formation, however he might have the quickness to play different D-line positions.
“That’s uncommon about him,” DeCosta stated. “He’s a much bigger man. He’s a legit 335-pound man, however carries his weight very effectively. And saying that, he’s obtained uncommon quickness for his dimension. There’s numerous improvement that may happen and can happen with our coaches. I ought to say that [assistant head coach/defensive line] Anthony Weaver actually, actually sees the potential with this man. And for somebody like me, who’s attempting to sort of synthesize all the data, once you get a coach that simply actually, actually stands on the desk for a man, it’s a really useful factor, and I’m excited for Anthony to teach this man. I feel that is going to be a very good marriage.”
[ Dom Amore: UConn’s Travis Jones has eyes trained on NFL, and vice versa ]
Jones was not drafted as excessive as many main analysts had been projecting. He was touted as a late first-round choose in March, and an early second-rounder this week, and as every crew moved “on the clock” for the following choose on Friday, its followers would start clamoring on social media for Jones to be taken. However he slipped into the third spherical, as did different prime inside defensive linemen. There was additionally a flurry of trades involving second- and third-round picks.
“I actually wasn’t even anxious about that,” Jones stated. “I’m simply pleased that I obtained picked up by the best crew and the best match, proper now.”
The draft concludes Saturday with Rounds 3-7, starting at midday. Offensive lineman Ryan Van Demark of UConn, working again Julius Chestnut of Sacred Coronary heart and receiver Tyshawn James of Middletown and CCSU are among the many state gamers who may very well be picked or signed instantly afterward as undrafted free brokers.
Different native names to look at embrace cornerback Josh Jobe, who performed at Cheshire Academy earlier than going to Alabama, offensive lineman Andrew Stueber from Darien Excessive, who performed at Michigan, and security Brad Hawkins, who performed at Suffield Academy and Michigan. Three extra from UConn, tight finish Jay Rose, working again Kevin Mensah and long-snapper Brian Keating, might get a chance.
Dom Amore might be reached at damore@courant.com
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