The success of players like Tim Tebow, Jake Coker, and Cardale Jones makes it hard to predict professional success based solely on win-loss records. However, NY Jets quarterback Jordan Travis may be one of the exceptions, as the Florida State product's status as a promising young quarterback has been reinforced of late.
Travis led the Seminoles to an unbeaten regular season that ended in controversial fashion, as they were left out of the playoff despite a perfect record. Travis' injury made them a less desirable opponent. Just one year without Travis has sent the Seminoles back to the gutter.
Starting one-time hyped recruit DJ Uiagalelei, the Seminoles have lost their first two games, both of which were losses to ACC cellar-dwellers Georgia Tech and Boston College. Uiagalelei can throw the ball through a barn door, but he can't hit a barn door. The accurate Travis, meanwhile, was constantly making plays.
Just one year without Travis has sent Mike Norvell, who is now 2-9 at FSU without Travis starting, spiraling. If Travis has that much of an impact on the program as a whole, perhaps his playmaking is so special that it could translate to the Jets as a high-end backup.
Great foresight, Joe Douglas!
I severely underrated the college career of Jordan Travis.
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) September 3, 2024
NY Jets' Jordan Travis looks like an even better pick after Florida State's 0-2 start
Travis is likely not going to play this season, as the Jets will essentially redshirt him to help him recover from his injury. When healthy, Travis shows many of the traits that have become increasingly important for success in the modern NFL.
While he doesn't have an amazing arm in terms of strength, he can fit balls into tight windows due to an aggressive mindset. Travis' playmaking out of structure has always been phenomenal, as is his accuracy out of the pocket.
The Jets' quarterback room consists of a 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers off an Achilles injury and a veteran backup in Tyrod Taylor who shouldn't consider his spot as the No. 2 firmly locked in for 2025.
Travis must be treated as a legitimate threat to play. If that's the case, seeing the ruin that Florida State has become without him suggests his talent alone helped uplift the program.
While there are reasons to be concerned about an undersized quarterback with a bad injury to his name, the Jets should be even more intrigued by Travis if he was able to become a star with this mess around him.
