Alijah Vera-Tucker a versatile block of granite on offensive line

Alijah Vera-Tucker joked about wanting to score a touchdown, but no one would be surprised if the Jets offensive lineman lined up at fullback and barreled his way into the end zone, or at tight end and caught a TD pass, or at quarterback and threw one.

Vera-Tucker’s supreme versatility has been on full display for the last three weeks. He has earned praise and admiration from his coaches and teammates for not only starting at right guard, left tackle and right tackle the last three games, but also excelling at all three spots.

“He’s a selfless warrior,” Robert Saleh said. “Whatever you ask of him, he’s going to do. But there’s also this confidence in him that we have that whatever we ask him to do, he’s going to be unbelievable at it.  

“It’s incredible what he has done. He’s played four different positions already — three in the last three weeks — and he’s been lights out with all of it.”

The Jets drafted Vera-Tucker with the No. 14 pick in 2021 and believed they found a cornerstone left guard. Vera-Tucker played well as a rookie and then moved to right guard this season because the Jets signed Pro Bowl left guard Laken Tomlinson.

After three games at right guard, Vera-Tucker switched to left tackle in Pittsburgh two weeks ago because of an injury to George Fant. Vera-Tucker was familiar with the position, having played there some at USC.

Last week, with left tackle Duane Brown returning from injury, the Jets slid Vera-Tucker to right tackle to replace injured rookie Max Mitchell.

Vera-Tucker had never played right tackle. He was part of an offensive line that enabled the Jets to score five rushing touchdowns against Miami. Vera-Tucker allowed zero pressures and zero sacks.

“It was very different,” Vera-Tucker said. “Being at right guard probably helped me out a little bit being on that right side. Shoot, just had to switch my stance up a little bit, talk to some of my teammates like Fant — he gave me some advice. I even talked to my boy Money Mitch, Max Mitchell...but, yeah, it turned out good.”

Vera-Tucker said his mentality always has been to master one position, but he also enjoys being able to play multiple spots and help his team.

“I think I am a versatile player with the blessings I have,” he said.

Vera-Tucker’s teammates marvel at what he’s been able to do and believe they’re witnessing greatness.

“I talk to him about it every day, how impressive it is,” Brown said. “He’s just so selfless. He’s a special athlete, man. I’m glad he’s upfront with me.”

Running back Michael Carter said, “If he doesn’t go to the Pro Bowl this year the NFL is rigged.”

Center Connor McGovern believes Vera-Tucker will have bigger honors coming his way — induction into the Jets’ Ring of Honor and the Pro Football Hall of Fame years down the road.

“AVT is a future Ring of Famer and if not Ring of Famer, a Hall of Famer,” McGovern said. “This dude is a freak. He’s the epitome of a great offensive lineman . . . Not only to go out there and play but to go out and play at an extremely high level at both tackles and guard, it’s incredible. There’s a few guys in history that can do that and he’s one of them.”

McGovern likened Vera-Tucker to former Raven Marshal  Yanda, an eight-time Pro Bowl guard who also played right tackle. McGovern said it wouldn’t surprise him if Vera-Tucker could play center in a pinch.

“I’m going to knock on some wood right now,” McGovern said. “I don’t know if he’s ever snapped, but I’m sure he could grab a football and do it with ease with the way he’s picked up positions.”

Vera-Tucker likely will remain at right tackle this week against the Packers. Next week, who knows? Saleh hopes someday there won’t need to be so much movement on the line and Vera-Tucker can stay put and flourish.

“Hopefully we can get this thing settled,” Saleh said, “and he can stay in one position so he can show the world how great he is.”

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.