Former Ole Miss tight end Kenny Yeboah grateful for Jets game ball

New York Jets tight end Kenny Yeboah was the hero in week three of the preseason, earning the game ball from first-year head coach Robert Saleh. After the Jets social media team released video of Yeboah receiving the game ball inside the locker room, the rookie took to social media to respond.

“Blessed, thankful, grateful!” Yeboah posted. “All of it!”

The Jets were down by eight points with six seconds left on the clock in their final preseason game of 2021.

Backup quarterback James Morgan dropped back to pass and launched a 49-yard pass into the end zone as time expired. Tight end Kenny Yeboah notched the touchdown and running back Josh Adams took the ball in for the two-point conversion to tie the game at 31. Since there is no overtime in NFL preseason, that ended the contest.

After the game, first-year head coach Robert Saleh was impressed with his team’s resilience and gave rookie Yeboah the game ball in an excited locker room.

“I love the fight, guys,” Saleh said. “I’m being serious. I appreciate that fight. You guys put it all on the line.”

Yeboah had a big night, with four catches on five targets for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Prior to Friday, he had just two receptions for six yards and no scores during the preseason.

More about Kenny Yeboah

Kenny Yeboah went undrafted in 2021 before signing with the Jets ahead of the season. The 6-foot-4 deep threat has battled with veteran tight ends Ryan Griffin, Tyler Kroft, Chris Herndon and others for a spot on the 53-man roster.

The rookie tight end, who is a Pennsylvania native, spent four years at Temple prior to transferring to Ole Miss last season. Yeboah had 47 receptions for 538 yards and six touchdowns for the Owls and had a breakout 2020 with 27 receptions for 524 yards and six touchdowns in Lane Kiffin’s high-powered offense.

Tight end problems

New York got just 409 receiving yards and three touchdowns from the tight end spot last season. The team had just 446 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2019.

The lack of production at tight end has been symbolic for the Jets offense as a whole. With Sam Darnold under center, the team struggled to find consistent offense and the tight ends failed to offer a steady presence.

No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson will need better production from the position in his rookie season as he adjusts to the NFL.