Zach Kuntz, a highly gifted athlete, fell to the final round of the NFL Draft, surprising many.
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The New York Jets, however, saw potential in him and took a chance on him with one of their last picks, adding him to an already stacked receiving core under Aaron Rodgers.
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Kuntz had a tough college career, seeing limited playing time at Penn State before transferring to Old Dominion, where he suffered a knee injury that further curtailed his final.
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However, at the Scouting Combine a few weeks ago, Kuntz set position bests in the vertical jump,
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broad jump, and three-cone drill, despite being an impressive 6'8. Although Kuntz's athleticism would have made him a viable early-round draft pick,
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his lack of college production saw him fall to the final round, with the Jets already excited about his potential.
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After signing his contract last weekend, Kuntz began training with the team under head coach Robert Saleh.
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Saleh said that Kuntz had "freakish ability" and a love for football, making him a promising candidate for the team.
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General manager Joe Douglas said that Kuntz had tested through the roof, and despite being one of the last picks, he was one of the few players who had that "freak factor."
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Kuntz dislocated his patella tendon last season, a difficult injury to recover from, but it appears that he is now back to his best ahead of his rookie season.
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In a strong tight end class, Kuntz was expected to be among the top five players selected at the position.
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However, 13 players were selected before him, making him the last tight end to be taken in the draft.
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Despite this, Kuntz is determined to prove his worth, stating that there's a chip on his shoulder,
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and he's going to maximize the opportunity he's been given. The Jets have high hopes for Kuntz, and his size, speed, length, and jump make him a promising addition to the team.
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Kuntz's love for football and freakish ability make him an exciting prospect for the Jets, and he's ready to take on the challenge ahead.