It’s uncommon a sixth-round decide receives vital snaps throughout his first season.
But that could possibly be the case with Jets defensive again Jarrick Bernard-Converse, as he isn’t an extraordinary rookie.
The Jets security spot was a weak point for a protection that completed fourth in factors and yards allowed. Bernard-Converse could possibly be a late-round jewel if he progresses as a participant throughout coaching camp this summer season.
Between his time at Oklahoma State and LSU, Bernard-Converse performed in 64 video games, beginning 56 of them as he has performed at cornerback, security, and as a slot nook. He looks like that have might be a profit to the Jets roster.
“I think it helped me understand defense better and understanding how to play the game,” Bernard-Converse stated about taking part in a number of positions. “It just expanded my mind and challenged me to learn more than one position and that was corner. I feel like playing safety helped me gain more knowledge of the game.”
After being a three-star prospect out of Evangel Christian Academy in Louisiana, Bernard-Converse dedicated to Oklahoma State as he performed a number of roles for the Cowboys throughout his 4 seasons in Stillwater. Bernard-Converse registered 195 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks and two interceptions at Oklahoma State. Instead of getting into the 2022 NFL Draft, Bernard-Converse used his further COVID yr and transferred to LSU, the place he could be nearer to his hometown of Shreveport.
“Our DC [defensive coordinator] had left, Jim Knowles, he went to Ohio State and knowing that was home for me and that was an opportunity to go play my last year at home,” Bernard-Converse stated.
At LSU, Bernard-Converse performed in additional of a pro-style defensive scheme at LSU below defensive coordinator Matt House because the Tigers gamers ran each a 4-3 and 3-4 formation. House used his defensive linemen to create havoc within the backfield as an alternative of sending a whole lot of blitzes.
That benefited Bernard-Converse as he not solely performed as a security for the Tigers, however he additionally lined among the finest receivers on the inside and outside defensively. Bernard-Converse additionally got here as much as the road of scrimmage and made his presence often called a sound tackler.
Jets coach Robert Saleh and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich satisfaction themselves on discovering versatile gamers of their defensive scheme. Although he was listed as a security throughout rookie minicamp, don’t be shocked if Bernard-Converse is utilized in a large number of the way along with his 42-inch vertical soar and 4.40 velocity.
“You watch as much tape as you can on all of these kids and one thing that Joe [Douglas] hit on is that he has tremendous versatility,” Saleh stated. “He can play all three spots within the backend, so we’re excited to get him right here.
“One factor I’ll let you know is he does match the mindset that we play with on protection and really sensible good communicator. We’re excited to get our fingers on him and see the place we will finest use him.
“We know he can play multiple schemes. He’s very, very smart, extremely instinctive, so like Joe said, he can play corner, he can play nickel, he can play safety. We’ll see him in rookie minicamp, phase two, and we’ll build from there.”
During rookie minicamp, Bernard-Converse and the opposite drafted rookies solely participated in just a few positional drills as they have been getting acclimated to their new environment. That additionally contains the Jets conditioning program, their meal plans and simply studying the place to go for conferences.
All-Pro cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner watched his new teammates on the sideline throughout follow. Bernard-Converse didn’t get to talk with Gardner, however he’s having fun with his quick time as an NFL skilled.
“It’s been quite an experience,” Bernard-Converse stated. “Just getting on the market, being out right here, lastly with the ability to say I practiced as a professional and simply dwelling within the second.
“I think it is a pretty great culture here, it’s a lot of good players and a lot of positivity going around, so I feel good about it.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com