The Jets missed Trevor Lawrence, having to decide on Sam Darnold’s future and leaving John Wolford.
Who’s John Wolford?
Before being pushed into action by Jared Goff’s thumb operation to make his NFL debut in a must-win game for the Los Angeles Rams this week, Wolford was the quarterback who dragged the Jets away from his soon-to-be life. at a private equity firm.
Three days before he was due to start at Teall Capital in August 2018, Wolford, 25, signed with the Jets for the final week of the preseason, after making a strong impression as a non-roster contender in the spring. smoking championship. The ride lasted ten days, including three practices and a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, before being cut short.
The chances are high against players who sign up with an NFL team as an undeveloped rookie to fill in a 90-man squad that will eventually be cut to 53. This is even less special for players like Wolford, who are only considered a three-day dignity. try and not a contract after the 2018 NFL draft.
So, his short run behind Darnold and Josh McCown – which ended when the Jets decided to swap Wolford for free agent Davis Webb in their training squad in 2018 – was already a form of overachievement considering where he started. Webb, the Giants’ draft pick and one-time likely successor to Eli Manning, is in the Buffalo Bills training group.
Wolford eventually started work on Wall Street, but could not itch football and ignited the short-lived Alliance of American Football. He hit a league-high 14 times in eight games and caught the Rams’ attention.
After a year as the Rams’ no. 3-back – who imitated next week’s opponent in the scout team – reinforced Wolford’s depth map when they did not select former Blake Bortles in the first round. Goff have already taken 1,046 offensive shots this season, but they are turning to Wolford – backed by the newly signed Bortles – to win a playoff spot.
Again, who’s John Wolford?
Of all the quarterbacks who came through talented Florida, Wolford was briefly the state record holder in career passing (10,621), touchdown passes (126), total touchdowns responsible for (162), total offensive yardage (13,403) and completions (706), according to Jacksonville.com. His last game was a legendary 74-73 loss in the state playoffs.
Originally committed to East Carolina, where he would have committed the offense of Lincoln Riley – yes, the Oklahoma coach sought for virtually every NFL head coaching vacancy – Wolford turned Wake Forest around and led from the dry spot of the big college football to a bowling winner during his four years as an appetizer.
Wolford’s senior season was so good that social media spurred him on as an underdog for the Heisman trophy: #WhyNotJohn.
Rams fans ask – hope? the same in Week 17.