Long Island native Jeremy Ruckert realizing a dream playing for Jets
Jets tight end Jeremy Ruckert catches a pass during training camp at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J., on Tuesday. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Jeremy Ruckert ran a crossing route, beat the linebacker and caught a pass from Mike White in the middle of the field for a nice gain. It was Ruckert’s first reception of training camp.
It’s been a long road for the Lindenhurst native, the Jets’ third-round pick out of Ohio State. Ruckert missed all of the offseason program and the first seven practices of training camp with a foot injury. He only got cleared last week and he’s been participating more and more each practice.
“It was pretty rough watching,” Ruckert said Tuesday afternoon. “I tried to make the most out of it, tried to learn as much as I could before I got out there. Just watched the (tight end) group. We got a great group. Just tried to replicate what they’re doing. Tried to soak everything in and enjoy it. I used to come here as a kid. Being able to live that right now is pretty cool.”
Ruckert grew up a Jets’ fan. His father Bill is a huge fan of the team and is loving this experience. Jeremy said his dad has been to the facility when families are allowed to watch practice and is enjoying every moment.
“He’s living out his dream,” Ruckert said. “He’s a fan his whole life. He’s been watching them since I couldn’t even remember. I got pictures of when I was little, I don’t even remember the picture being taken but I’m wearing a Jets onesie and got face paint on of whatever. He’s been living it his whole life.
“He’s just enjoying the moment. I appreciate that. He’s done so much to get here, him and my mom and everyone around me. They’ve done so much to get me here. I don’t want to take any of that away from them.”
Ruckert has leaned on his tight ends coach Ron Middleton and veterans C.J. Uzomah, Tyler Conklin and Trevon Wesco as he goes through his first training camp. Robert Saleh said last week that Ruckert has a lot of catching up to do, but he’s making progress.
“He’s swimming a little bit,” Saleh said. “There’s a lot of information coming in. He’s missed half of training camp and he’s getting into the thick of it, in the middle of it. Love his movement, love his athleticism. He’s everything we thought he was going to be. Now it’s a matter of him catching up to the playbook so he can play without thought.”
Ruckert said he feels comfortable with the playbook, but he’s still getting used to everything after missing all that time with the foot injury he suffered at the Senior Bowl. Ruckert said he’s never really been hurt before.
The Jets open up the preseason this Friday in Philadelphia and a little over a month from Week 1 when they host the Ravens. Ticket requests are expected to be plenty for Ruckert for that game, but he’s let everyone know he’s focused on making sure he’s ready.
“I told everybody, you’re on your own, man,” Ruckert said. “I don’t want to deal with it. I’ll worry about what I got to do and you guys can all figure that out.”
Two-minute drill
The starting defensive line dominated practice and had Zach Wilson under pressure most of the day. Wilson was ‘sacked’ on four consecutive drop backs. Practice ended with Jacob Martin ‘sacking’ Wilson … The Jets signed offensive linemen Caleb Benenoch and Chris Glaser. They released DE Rashed Hamilcar and OL Parker Ferguson … Practice featured a few skirmishes with punches thrown.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
