New York Jets select Ohio State tight end Jeremy Ruckert in 2022 NFL Draft

Jeremy Ruckert is heading to the NFL. The former Ohio State tight end became a third-round pick on Friday night.

The New York Jets selected Ruckert as the No. 101 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He became the latest member of the 2021 Buckeye offense to get drafted, joining star wide receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. In fact, Ruckert and Wilson will be playing for the same team once again after the Jets took him in the first round.

Ruckert had a big year in 2021 for Ohio State, hauling in 26 receptions for 309 yards and three touchdowns.

Out of high school, Ruckert was a four-star recruit and the No. 2 tight end recruit in the nation from the Class of 2018, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Jeremy Ruckert

Although Ruckert might not be a starting tight end right away in the NFL, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said he has some upside and could wind up being a starter some day. However, he needs some work to get there, notably when it comes to running routes on passing plays.

“Muscular move tight end on the collegiate level who should be able to find a home as an in-line worker,” Zierlein wrote. “Ruckert should test well creating a favorable height-weight-speed profile that could push him up draft boards. He blocks with good aggression, but can be a little inconsistent at the point of attack for now.

“He’s not as explosive in his route-running as his testing might indicate but will catch what is thrown his way even though he might never be much of a volume target. He has TE2 potential and could become an average NFL starter.”