Former OSU TE Ruckert starts ‘surreal’ rookie minicamp with Jets
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Jeremy Ruckert was on the phone with the team that just drafted him while a roomful of family and friends eagerly awaited the big reveal.
The former Ohio State tight end pointed down at a table covered in NFL hats, asked for the green New York Jets cap and slipped it on his head.
That's when his father Bill absolutely lost it, screaming, “YEAH!!!” while pumping his arms. Everyone else joined in on the raucous celebration, complete with a “J-E-T-S!” chant. Ruckert was a third-round draft pick — No. 101 overall — and going to the team he and his Long Island, New York-based family rooted for all their lives.
“It's hard to put into words not only how I feel, but how my family feels about it,” Ruckert said. “But I grew up a Jets fan, me and my family, my brothers. And just to be here putting on the helmet and the jersey for the first time (Friday), it feels great, and I can't wait to get to work.”
The Lindenhurst native was often decked out in Jets gear as a kid.
And here he was, during rookie minicamp, standing in the locker room where his favorites one stood.
“It was surreal,” Ruckert said.
It didn't seem likely heading into the draft, particularly because the Jets had signed C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin in
free agency to revamp the tight ends spot. But when it got closer to New York's pick and Ruckert was still available, the Jets couldn't resist taking him.
“He is one of those all-around tight ends,” coach Robert Saleh said. “He's got ability in the pass game, which wasn't featured as much in Ohio State. Obviously, they have superstars all over the place . ... He will strain his tail off to do his job, and that's what makes him pretty good in the run game.”
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Ruckert had 54 catches for 615 yards and 12 touchdowns in 46 games over four seasons with the Buckeyes. They're hardly eyepopping numbers, but as Saleh noted, Ohio State had quite a few other playmakers during Ruckert's time there — including the second of the Jets' three firstround picks, wide receiver Garrett Wilson.
Ruckert played mostly at wide receiver at Lindenhurst High School and chose Ohio State because he knew he was still learning, especially at tight end — the position for which he was best suited in college.
“My first time blocking was when I stepped on campus,” Ruckert said. “And yeah, I was super raw and that's what I wanted. I wanted to be able to be developed to be that complete guy. I hated the idea of not being able to do a job the coach wanted me to do.”
That's not to say there weren't some rough days at practice in those early days. Having to line up against the likes of Nick Bosa and Chase Young wasn't exactly an easy task.
“I was getting killed,” Ruckert said. “I couldn't touch those guys.”
With the Jets, he won't necessarily need to be an immediate playmaker. But Ruckert wants to do everything he can to perfect his game and “become one of those all-time greats.”.
“This is the team I grew up rooting for,” Ruckert said. “So they're going to get everything I've got.”