New York Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood has made his presence felt throughout the first two weeks of training camp.
Sherwood was selected in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft, having played three years as a safety with Auburn. The start of his Jets career took a crash landing after he tore his Achilles only a month into his rookie season.
The former safety turned linebacker has been a decent player for the Jets over the last few seasons, but now Sherwood is showing signs on and off the field that can be a real asset to a super-bowl contending squad. This Jets linebacker room is no stranger to sudden breakout players as well, ie all-pro Quincy Williams.
Entering his fourth season, Sherwood has a chance to fortify this highly talented linebacker room alongside Williams and C.J. Mosley as the two-headed monster. Sherwood has played all 17 games for the Jets these past two seasons and is coming off a 2023 season where he improved drastically in terms of total tackles, solo tackles, and assisted tackles.
His 2024 campaign is off to a great start and his overall body of work throughout training camp has received praise from various staff members and players. Head coach Robert Saleh had a lot to say when asked about the young linebacker's improvement and play on the field after Monday's practice.
"He's increased his weight, his IQ, his speed, his strength, his mindset, just like Jermaine [Johnson], it is a mindset to get better day in and day out...but this dude, he's a hell of a linebacker."
Sherwood has showcased his coverage ability, especially in Monday's practice locking down Allen Lazard on a deep route and even picking off quarterback Aaron Rodgers on another play. If Sherwood can translate this type of play from the practice field to in-game action, this Jets defense who ranked top 5 in the NFL in 2023 just got a whole lot more scary for opposing offenses.
It will be fascinating to see the development of Sherwood over these next couple of weeks, starting most likely this Saturday versus the Washington Commanders. Can he be the new breakout candidate Jets fans are waiting for or will all the hype surrounding Sherwood from training camp fade into nothing?
