After months of speculation and conversation, the Jets selected BYU quarterback Zach Wilson with the No. 2-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The move was no surprise. Wilson has been linked to the Jets for weeks, but the team made it official when commissioner Roger Goodell called Wilson’s name at the draft in Cleveland.
The 21-year-old now becomes the face of the franchise, as the team pins its hopes on yet another first-round quarterback, hoping Wilson works out better than Sam Darnold, whom they drafted with the third pick in the first round three years ago. The Jets became the first team to select quarterbacks in the top three picks twice within four years in the common draft era.
Wilson comes to the Jets after a breakout 2020 season for the Cougars. He completed 73.5 percent of his passes for 3,692 yards, 33 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He also ran for 10 touchdowns. While his production opened eyes, it also raised questions because of the level of competition BYU faced. The Cougars are an independent and ended up scrapping their original 2020 schedule because of COVID-19. That left them scrambling for opponents and they did not face a single foe from a Power 5 conference.
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