Jeremy Ruckert’s role in Jets offense coming into focus

Coming to a C gap near you: Jeremy Ruckert. 

The 24-year-old tight end was active in the passing game at the Jets’ training camp session Friday, but catching touchdowns isn’t his sole focus, nor does it seem to be head coach Aaron Glenn’s. 

“You saw today in the passing game where he can be a factor,” Glenn said after Friday’s practice. “The one thing I like more than anything, he’s a true Y tight end, meaning he’s a guy who can get in line and move people off the ball. He’s shown that in practice. 

“To be able to have a 6-technique standing in front of you — a man that’s 280 pounds — and being able to block that man, it’s hard to do for a tight end and he’s been doing a pretty good job at that.” 

Jets tight end Jeremy Ruckert speaks to the media after practice at training camp in Florham Park, NJ. Bill Kostroun/New York Post

Ruckert measures 6-foot-5, 250 pounds and he’s unafraid to utilize his frame in the blocking game. 

His comments after practice often came back to those responsibilities. 

“I’m focused on being consistent, being a leader and winning that C gap,” Ruckert said. 

He added that he’s keying in on dominance and consistency — before closing out that statement with one more addition. 

“Winning that C gap,” he said again. 

But he’ll have to be effective in the passing game, too, to be an “every-down tight end.” 

Jets tight end Jeremy Ruckert (89) runs the ball after making a catch during practice at training camp in Florham Park, NJ. Bill Kostroun/New York Post

New York selected Mason Taylor in the second round of this year’s draft out of LSU, and he’s already generated some buzz throughout training camp. 

With the capital invested in a tight end of Taylor’s caliber, and Ruckert in a contract year, he’ll be doing whatever it takes to stay on the field. 

“I’m going into year four … I feel really good right now where I’m at — to be that dominant, every-down, everyday tight end that can do whatever is asked of me,” Ruckert said. “I’m gonna control what I can control and when I get those opportunities, make the most of them.” 

He’s the longest-tenured Jets tight end — the veteran in the room — and doing whatever is asked of him could find him not just in the C gap this season, but in the end zone for the first time in his young NFL career. 

“This is the best I’ve felt mentally, physically, emotionally — I’m excited about this season, where we’re going and our [tight end] room especially,” he said.