LISTEN | Draft Pick Profile - La'Mical Perine (5/13)

day two, Joe Douglas makes a trade. They got the one hundred one overall selection from the Seattle Seahawks when the Jets moved back from forty to fifty nine and then picked up Denzel Mims, and then they had the hundred first pick. They trade out of that spot to the New England Patriots, of all people, and they get pick one, pick one twenty nine and they reacquire their one six round pick, which they gave up for Damarius

Thomas last September. Good for Joe Douglas. Listen, you gotta do whatever is in the best interest of your team, in your organization, So if that means trading with the New England Patriots, you do just that. Greens. Yeah, when you look at what Joe d had entering the weekend, six picks and all. So by the end of the weekend Saturday night, we were talking in terms of ten players obtained nine picks, and he also traded his final sixth rounder to Indianapolis Colts in order to obtain veteran

cornerback of the Colts. So Jets entered the draft with a number of holes on the roster, so you had to do as much as you could to fill those holes, and that meant moving back a couple of times. He made three trades on draft weekend, and this was a rare deal Greens, because you're talking about the Jets had the hundred overall selection, the hundred overall selection and then one nine because of that trade with the New England Patriots.

So prior to selecting pron the Jets, they're sitting there saying, hey, we have three picks over the next nine. Yeah. I thought it was a great trade for Joe Douglas, and I thought at the end of the day, this was a draft where the meat and potatoes in the middle rounds were deeper than most years, and the Jets loaded up. Frankly, they had three fourth round picks, and let's start with p Rhyan because I don't think that a lot of pundits necessarily thought about running back as a need for

the Jets. Obviously the offensive line, receiver, edge, and corner, and then after that, i'd say almost in the second tier. I think running back is right at the top of that list because at the time of the draft in the Jets backfield was Levy on Bell and then question mark question mark because Time Montgomery and Balal Powell, the second and third stringers from last year, both available on

the free agent market. Yeah, on the surface, I think a lot of people follow the Jets are probably like, well, why are they going with a running back at overall? And then coming full circle here, why you turn six into ten is because you want to fill out the depth on this roster. And when you draft a kid like Lea Michael p Ryan, you're not thinking that he's going to be the number one back in two thousand

twenty because he is not. Levian Bell is in questionably the number one back on this offense, and p Ryan you're getting a guy who took over as a starter is sophomore year in two thousand seventeen, and he was part of a team. What I like about him is another college captain right fits that mold that Joe Douglas

was looking for in terms of intangibles. But he was also part of an uh turnaround at the University of Florida because that was a team that was struggling with Dan Mullen took over, but by the time that p Ryan laughed in net class had left. I believe the Gators over the last couple of years were twenty one

and five. Before we dive into p Ryan at Florida, let's hear from the Jets personnel that includes Joe Douglas Chat, Alexander rex Hogan, Phil Savage on what they like about La Michael p Ryan versatility, big playability, he can help both run in pass game, really good and pass pro good hands, productive, and a great young man. He's a man. He's gonna be a great fit to our culture in our locker room. La Michael has been really good in terms of production for the Gators, not only as a

runner but also receiving the ball. And he's been competitive for him on special teams and he's gonna add the same components for us. Is in terms of his versatility as a as a runner and receiver. You can split him out of the backfield, and he's got excellent hands to be able to adjust and run routes and and

shown that throughout his career. So we're excited about what he brings in terms of being a change of pace to levy On and being a backup and and what he's shown it if Florida, hopefully he's going to continue here for us with the Jets, you know, first and foremost is do they have the physicality and the toughness and whether or not they have the ability to recognize

blitz and pick up in protection. And Michael shown that throughout his career, and we were excited about a seeing on tape and with with both dal Login's and Jim Bob Cooter, they identified that as one of the aspects that are running back needs to have to be able to play on all three downs, and Michael has shown that well. I think with LaMichael p Ryan, you know, he's a well rounded running back. He's not only a ball carrier, but he can also catch out of the backfield,

and he's also a good pass protector. So I think in terms of not only this coming season, as a rookie, there's a good chance that he'll be part of the backfield. But I think even rolling into the future, he's got a chance to be a contributor for our offense because of his versatility. How about this, Michael p Ryan, a mobile, Alabama native, went to theado Or High School, the same

high school as Jets linebacker C. J. Mosley. So a little bit of a mobile connection coming up to the Northeast, especially when you throw Phil Savage in the mix there, who was the executive director of the REESEA Senior Bowl for a couple of years. Look at you dropping some knowledge. How about p Ryan's father, Terrence, actually played at Auburn and p Ryan LaMichael. In fact, he said that to Auburn coaching staff they recruited him a little bit, but

they didn't think he was fast enough. So he always had a chip on his shoulder for Auburn. And as we just heard, what the Jets liked about him was he can do a little bit of everything. You can run the football, catch it out of the backfield, a good blocker for a guy coming out of college. And he also was a contributor on Florida's special team. So when you look at the Jets roster again, you needed

something at the running back position. From a depth perspective, everybody gets so caught up and what is this guy gonna potentially adds to the offense, What is he gonna bring to the defense, And we forget about special teams and what Joe Douglas did in this draft he targeted guys who can help him on teams. You mentioned p Ryan's father playing football at Auburn. Well, how about this. His mother, Sabrina Haywood, won a state shot but title in high school. And p Ryan's cousin, Soma j was

a fourth round pick played for Oklahoma. He was drafted in seventeen, and he's also related to Jaguars linebacker Miles Jackson. P Ryan clearly has the bloodlines. And I want to talk about his Florida career a little bit. You mentioned the team captain this past year. He's led the Gators in rushing in ten and twenty nineteen, and those are the three years in which he started. His first year in sixteen, he played in thirteen games, but he didn't start at any and for his career, he averaged five

yards of carry. He totaled two thousand, four hundred eighty five rushing yards, twenty two touchdowns, and then pretty serviceable through the air seventy two catches, six hundred seventy four yards and eight touchdowns. Yeah, I didn't act for finding a hand. So and this is a tough kid, low center of gravity who can carry tacklers a little bit. You mentioned the two thousand seventeen season when he took over as a starter, he had five hundred sixty two

rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. Then he topped out as a junior right with the eight hundred twenty six rush yards and he averaged six point two yards a carry, had seven touchdowns. Then last year, of course, as you mentioned, senior team captain, six hundred seventy six yards on the ground, five point one yards of pop and six touchdowns, and then he had a career high

forty catches in five more receiving touchdowns. So that's uncommon for a college back to give that kind of production in the past game when you're thinking about somebody coming out of and I see see school like that the University of Florida. Forty catches last year, and that knack for the end zone you like. And he really ended his college career with a bang in the Orange Bowl. One yards overall, that's rushing and receiving combined and three touchdowns Orange Bowl m v P as the Gators took

down the Virginia Cavaliers. So yeah, that's what the Jets were attracted to. Is not only what he can provide to the run game, but here's a kid who has good hands. Uh, and he's also considered a pretty good blocker. You caught up with the Michael p Ryan and we'll hear that interview in a couple of minutes. But how about this with the Michael p Ryan. This is really cool to me. P Ryan, who you met and he about Auburn. They thought he was too slow. P Ryan

took matters into his own hands. He purchased a bus ticket to Gainesville to attend a three day camp because he didn't really have a lot of offers. At that camp, he gets m v P honors, he earns a scholarship, goes to Florida, and then becomes a fourth round pick and a team captain. Like we said earlier, led the team in rushing for three straight seasons. I mean that speaks to the character of La Michael p Ryan. And you want to find guys that hate to lose almost

more than they like to win. And I think that act of taking matters in your own hands and buying the bus ticket to go and go get that scholarship, I mean, I think that speaks volumes to the person of La Michael p Ryan. Well, I think p Ryan fits the mold of a guy who thinks that he has always been overlooked and he's always had to work his way up to get his position and earn his spot,

and he's been calm with that. The knock on him, I think again from a lot of Punit's out there is he's not a burner four point six to forty yard dash in Indianapolis. But don't let that foolia, because the film does not lie. La Michael p Ryan plays faster than four or six two. There's a football speed, then there's also forty yard time speed in Indianapolis. I'm not saying he's running away from everybody in the National Football League. My point is is he does not play

like a four point six two guy. Again, why did the Jets make that move and they had a clear hold at the running back position behind Levian Bell, and this is a guy who can do a little bit of everything. We're gonna talk about the state of this running backs room right after we hear from La Michael p Ran. So let's get right to it. Here's e a one on one with La Michael p Ryan right after he was drafted. La Michael, earlier this afternoon, you tweeted patients, what was it like when you finally got

the call from the Jets. Um, just the opportunity of a lifetime. Honestly, man, it was a great feeling. Um, just being able to go to a great organization and a problem organization. Um. Just waiting on that call, man, I was just just trying to stay patients like, uh like I like I had put on Twitter, man, But uh, I know God have something good plan for me. So I'm just decarted to get up to New York. What

put you in the position to get drafted? Remember back in two thousand and fourteen, you paid your own way with a bus ticket to Florida so the Gator coaching staff could get a luk at you. Most definitely, Uh, I feel like this is coming with his hard work and dedication. Honestly, I was Donna hard work, everything I haven't done and things like that. So I feel like they just carried over UM in college and just me

being able to just get an offer from Florida. I feel like they just carried it thing go over me just having an opportunity speak in a Florida. How about joining the roster now that has five Gators on including Marcus May, Brian Pool, Jonathan Harrison, and the Jets most recently drafted one of your teammates at Florida, Jabari is a NA. I mean, hey, the Jets know what it is man. They know the Gators have great talent and

things like that, so they know what they're doing. Uh. I feel very comfortable just being in the new town, just being around a lot of old teammates, just being able to just have that the tradition to keep it going. Give us a scouting report for fans who didn't get a chance to see a play at Florida. What are the Green and White getting? UM? A hard nose runner, competitor, a person who does not not like to lose. UM, majestical, hard working guy, just being able to just be versatile,

being able to catch out the backfield. UM. I feel like me and Lebian would be great. Uh. Duo, man, that's uh. I feel like that's a guy look up to us and running back. Um, we have similar games. I feel like I gets the ball as well like he can. So I mean just being able to just have this opportunity is just on a round. Well, Michael, how much pride do you take in your versatility? Because

you can run it, you can catch it. You are considered a back who is a good blocker, and you also contribute on special teams most definitely, I feel like to be able to play in this game, you have to be able to contribute on all four phases. And that's uh some I'm I'm very good at I feel like I can play off special teams. UM be a great running back as well. Um. Just being versatile all over the field, honestly, being able to do every day for my teammates and my coaches. Um, just being a

dependable player. Did you save your best for last at Florida? Your final game? You went out with a bang Orange Bowl MVP. Uh, you know, producing yards all over the place. Uh. I wouldn't say that, but I feel like that was one of my best games I had Lord, So it was just pumped up just be able to win Orange Bowl m VP and uh in one of my last games as a Gator. So uh, I mean it was

an exciting moment for me. Honestly, you mentioned Levan, let me ask you about the quarterback here in sam Dermoald, what do you think about joining an offense that is led by that talented twenty two year old signal car. I feel like he's uh, he's a great leader so um, I feel like that's the guy that I can honestly look up to as a as a leader man and be able to just fight for him and just be able to just contribute and just be back there and be comfortable with. Honestly, I feel like he does a

lot of good things in his game. He's a guy who just get better uh as years ago. So I feel like he has a great, um great career. Can you mentioned Levian about what have you admired about his game? Um? Just a swag man. He's a guy who just being able to just catch the ball, his patience, his vision. Um, I feel like I have a lot of that those traces as well. So, I mean he's just a great overall player man. I can't wait to get with him. Honestly,

what do you think about coming up to New York. Um, I've never been to New York actually, so uh that's gonna be a life changing experience. Uh so I'm ready for that and um just ready. Honestly, just get everything going for him the place of football. I wanted to ask you, what was that phone call like when you finally received it today? Uh? Was it an outpouring of emotion from your end? Um? Honestly, man, it was just the car that I wasn't even expecting at the momentum.

It came out the blue really, um so, I mean just it was a opportunity of a lifetime. Like I said, Manu, probably the best feeling I've ever had in my life. So just having an opportunity, it's a great I'm grateful, great to hear from the Michael P. Ryan. He's joining a backfield e a where Levan Bell at the top, obviously, and then recently last week the Jets sign Frank Gore

to be a part of this backfield. So not only are you looking at one of the game's current best and Levian Bell, you're looking at one of the game's best over the past decade or so and Frank Gore, I mean, this is an ideal situation for la Michael p Ryan to step into. If you are a young running back, you can't ask for more. You really couldn't

ask for more. So he will be trained and mentored by a very good positional coach in Jim Bob Couder, but also these two veterans, They're gonna be outstanding for this young man as he makes a transition to the National Football League. That's really something else. And the Jets again, before the draft, it's Levian Bell and maybe a couple of question marks behind him. Now it's Levian Bell, Frank Gore,

LaMichael p Ryan, totally different situation. The other part about Frank Gore is, you know, some veterans don't really embrace eas the mentorship role, and Frank Gore actually embraces it to the fullest. I've read a ton of articles and seeing a ton of stories online where last season Frank Gore was instrumental and Devin Singletarry's growth and success in Buffalo before becoming one of the top rookie running backs

in the NFL. I also saw an interview where Frank Gore said that he gets motivated by being around the young running backs in the league, whether that somebody is young as twenty two year old with Michael p Ryan, or somebody like leady On Bell, who's a very good player in this league. I mean, Frank Gore is an ultimate competitor. And you spoke to Adam Gaatee who said, this guy treats every single practice like it's Monday night football, and that I think rubs off on the other players.

It's got to what happens is when you walk into a building and there's Frank Gora that automatically gets your attention. The interesting thing I'm not comparing p around either one of these guys is that the styles, though he's more stylistically aligned with Frank Gore, because Gore is that, hey, I'm not dancing too much, I'm getting one caught in and I'm coming at you, and p Ryant got a

little bit of that in him. Whereas Levian Bell, he is so natural and so instinctive and so patient that yes, you can learn some things from him, but you can't try to duplicate or replicate what Levian Bell can do on football field because he is so unique. And I like how you mentioned Motor Singletary last year because he was very productive in Buffalo in season one. So it's just soaking up that kind of knowledge from a guy

like or is going to help pe ride. And again, Jim Bob Cooder is a very good positional coach, so he really liked where the backfield is as opposed to a couple of weeks ago where they naturally there were questions. And again, why do you draft la Michael p Ryan because you have to add depth and not everybody's gonna come in and be number one on the depth chart. Right now, you have Levan Bell, he is number one

on the depth chart. But Adam Gaze does like to get the ball too different people and make sure everybody is fresh. Now he has more options, I think entering two thousand twenty, Yeah, I think one other player that we often forget is a part of this running backs room that Joe Douglas will often remind everybody is a

part of his running backs room is Josh Adams. And Josh Adams, undrafted at an Order Dame in two thousand eighteen, plays four teen games for the Eagles, where Joe Douglas was leads the team in rushing with five hundred eleven yards, he gets waived, He gets claimed here by the Jets of practice squad player or the majority of the year, and then it was reported that another team tried to pluck him off the Jets practice squad. And so what

did the Jets do? Well? They promoted him to the active roster because I guess the Jets like him that much. And I think the Jets have nice depth now when you add in p Ryan and Gore, because it was a big question mark entering the draft. So I think that Joe Douglas has done a nice job revamping this position to where behind a new offensive line, they have the opportunity to be much more effective than they did in two thousand nineteen. Yeah, I think the Jets are

gonna run the football better in two thousand twenty. Lebian Bell your two in this system. McKay Beckton is a fantastic run blocker, and you think about Connor McGovern and Greg Van roteing and getting Alex Lewis back in the mix. So you have more pieces up front and more guys who are established run blockers in the National Football League, you have reason to believe that he's going to have more holes, but he has two new guys behind him and then want to get you. We'll have to see

what the future holds for him. Is Trutton Cannon, former draft pick of the Jets Speedster, was hampered by an injury last year. Right now, you're feeling quite comfortable and confident with Val Frank ore La Michael p Run. I'm glad you mentioned Cannon too. He's a dynamite gunner for Brand Bowyer as well, so we'll see what happened. The Jets have now created depth at the running back position with the additions of the guys that we just talked about.

That was another edition of the Official Jets podcast Raft Pick Profile series presented by Verizon. Continuing on here, that was the La Michael p Ryan episode. Next up, we're going to the quarterback position. James Morgan out of f I U