New York Jets 2015 Training Camp Profile: Jonathon Rumph

By Paul Newbold | Jul 11, 2015

The New York Jets are stacked at wide receiver heading into training camp. With Eric Decker, Brandon Marshall and Jeremy Kerley already locked into starting roles, the Jets will have to make some difficult decision as to who remains on the final roster. Chris Owusu, Quincy Enunwa, Shaquelle Evans, T.J. Graham, Saalim Hakim and Devin Smith will be in the mix for back up spots.

There is another wide receiver on this roster that I’ll be analyzing in detail and that player is Jonathon Rumph. While he may not be among the competitors to make the 53-man roster this year, this young man comes off as an interesting prospect. Rumph isn’t going to be mistaken for an NFL receiver just yet, but he has an upside and the Jets may be looking at him as a potential practice squad player.

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Rumph was signed by the Jets after the 2015 NFL Draft as an undrafted free agent. He was one of 24 players the Jets brought in for tryouts at their rookie mini camp this summer. He was signed after reportedly impressing the coaching staff during that minicamp and he filled the spot on the 90-man roster after the Jets released Matt Simms.

Rumph has had a long journey to get his chance at playing in the NFL. He played his first two seasons of college football at the community college level, playing at Holmes Community College for two years before transferring to the University of Georgia. He was a highly regarded prospect coming out of junior college and was recruited by the Georgia Bulldogs.

He never caught on in Georgia due to injuries. Both in 2013 and 2014, Rumph was sidelined for significant time with hamstring injuries. Leg injuries are often a concern with young receivers, and as a result teams shied away from him coming out for the draft. If healthy though, Rumph makes for an interesting prospect.

Nov 22, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Jonathon Rumph (18) runs after a catch against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Charleston Southern 55-9. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Rumph is a big receiver, turning the tape at 6’5″/220 pounds as he provides a huge target for his quarterback. Rumph possesses a good set of hands and a fairly good route tree. Raw as a potential wide receiver, he possesses average speed turning in a 4.64 time in the 40-yard dash at Georgia’s Pro Day.

Everything considered, Rumph has a long way to go to become a key contributor for the Jets. He has a large field of receivers ahead of him on this roster, but he has potential. The Jets have some difficult decisions to make by the end of camp, but if Rumph continues to impress, the Jets’ coaching staff may find this young man a spot on the practice squad.

Of course he will need to prove his hamstring issues are a thing of the past. He’s an interesting young player that fans may want to keep an eye on this summer. We here at The Jet Press would like to hear your take on this young rookie receiver. Leave us a comment, and Let’s Talk Jet Football!!

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