The pre-draft process has many stops leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, with the Senior Bowl being one of the first on the calendar.

Below are five prospects who met with the Jets in Mobile, AL, including some who were raised in the New York/New Jersey area.

Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez
Rodriguez, who had an impressive week at the Senior Bowl following a senior season where he led the FBS with 7 forced fumbles, said he enjoyed his meeting with the Jets.

“When I got in my interview with them, I think they were real authentic,” he said. “They told me the position that they’re in and where they want to move forward. I really appreciate the time with them and I think they asked great questions. I got a lot of knowledge about the ins and outs.”

Syracuse TE Dan Villari
Villari grew up on Long Island in a family of Jets fans, much like current Jets TE Jeremy Ruckert. Villari and Ruckert each went from Long Island to the Big Ten — Ruckert from Lindenhurst to Ohio State and Villari from Manhasset to Michigan. Villari, whose favorite Jets player is Darrelle Revis, transferred to Syracuse after one season in Ann Arbor and changed his position from quarterback to tight end.

“It would mean everything,” Villari said about potentially teaming up with Ruckert. “We’d be putting on for The Island. Jeremy put on first and I respect that guy a lot. I’d love to work with him one day. It would be a blessing, man.”

He added of his meeting with the Jets: “It was awesome. I told them it about time you guys talk to me. It was great dialogue.”

NC State TE Justin Joly
Joly, from New Rochelle, NY grew up rooting for the Giants before shifting his fandom towards individual players, specifically former four-time Pro Bowl S Kam Chancellor. Joly, despite being a fan of Big Blue as a kid, said it would be amazing to be drafted by the Jets.

“I’d have to get a lot of tickets, though,” he said. “A lot of tickets for the fam. [The meeting] was good. They showed me a lot of love. They know I’m a New York guy. It was a good connection overall.”