As if it wasn’t more obvious before, the Jets main concern this offseason, aside from the health of their 40-year-old quarterback, is upgrading the offensive line.
The Jets signed, traded, and drafted help to rebuild a unit that was one of the worst in football last season as they try to make a run at the playoffs for the first time in 13 years. And they aren’t done yet.
The New York Jets signed Kohl Levao who most recently played for the San Antonio Brahmas of the USFL. He played both guard spots for the Brahmas after lining up at center and guard for the University of Hawaii.
Kohl earned All-UFL honors this year due to his stellar play. He did not allow a single sack all year, and only gave up nine quarterback pressures, per PFF data. Due to his UFL campaign, Levao received plenty of NFL interest. He had offers from multiple NFL teams, and several wanted to bring him in for workouts. Ultimately, he has signed with the New York Jets, as they’ve offered him a multi-year deal.
Levao is signing a three year deal with the New York Jets, worth up to $2.8 million dollars, which is the biggest contract for any UFL player so far this offseason. By NFL standards it’s a standard rookie contract for someone who’s entering the NFL for the first time.
The @nyjets is signing former @XFLBrahmas OL Kohl Levao 💪📈 pic.twitter.com/rq5X6IIGVS
— United Football League (@TheUFL) June 18, 2024
While at the University of Hawaii, Levao was named an All-Mountain West honorable mention. He started the first 12 games at center and the final game of the season at left guard, allowing just one sack all season. Levao boasted a pass protection success rate of 97 percent, earning him a spot in the Hula Bowl in Orlando, Florida.
Currently, the Jets have John Simpson and Alijah Vera-Tucker set as the starting guards for the season with Wes Schweitzer, Max Mitchell and Xavier Newman penciled in as backups. Mitchell is more of a guard than a tackle and Schweitzer is the team’s backup center as well. There is even some discussion about Jets first round choice Olu Fashanu getting some work at guard this season. Levao will get a chance to compete for a back up spot along the interior of the line which will be important considering AVT has missed most of the last two seasons with injuries.
The UFL wrapped up its inaugural season this past Sunday, crowning the Birmingham Stallions as inaugural UFL Champions. The USFL Conference Champion Stallions defeated the XFL Conference Champion San Antonio Brahmas, 25-0.
