New York Jets: From one Ohio State product to another

The New York Jets have delved into Ohio State’s talent pool before and have had their hands burned. Will this time be different?

Everyone remembers, especially fans of the Jets on that fateful day in 2008. It will live in infamy forever, the day that the Jets selected defensive end Vernon Gholston with the sixth overall pick out of Ohio State.

The Jets have been desperate for a difference maker in their linebacker corps ever since. Gholston was solely used as a 3-4 outside linebacker and the Jets newest addition, linebacker Darron Lee, will be used primarily at the inside linebacker spot.

Though the coaching staff has revealed he will get to play some on the outside. Will history repeat itself for the green and white?

The reason for the latest comparison is because the Jets just handed out the new jersey numbers and Lee made his selection.

!!!

Jersey numbers for rookie camp (subject to change):@DLeeMG8 → 50@chackenberg1 → 5@jordanOLB → 48

MORE >> https://t.co/ce4YW4kYL3

— New York Jets (@nyjets) May 5, 2016

As the Twitter account of the Jets reveals, these numbers could change before things are all said and done. But Lee’s choice is an ominous one, making the comparison all the more real.

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Although when Gholston was drafted he selected 56 for his first season, before switching to his collegiate number of 50.

Understandably, fans of the Jets are scared of another draft bust as Gholston will forever live in the nightmares of children’s stories.

If you compare the two players from a physical standpoint, there are some comparisons to be drawn.

Vernon Gholston measurables:

Height and Weight: 6’3 262 pounds

40 time: 4.58

Bench Press: 37 repetitions of 225 pounds (tied the highest BP score at NFL Combine)

Gholston blew up at the NFL Combine as he tested well in the Wonderlic (21 points), crushed the 40-yard dash and certainly looked the part.

Lee is a physical freak and he also tested very well at this year’s NFL Combine.

Darron Lee measurables:

Height and Weight: 6’1 235 pounds

40 time: 4.47

Bench Press: 17 repetitions of 225 pounds

Lee is two inches shorter, 30 pounds lighter and with that he ran a tenth of a second quicker. Gholston doubled his bench press, but the game isn’t played in t-shirts and shorts.

The Jets have taken Buckeyes at other positions, just last season they drafted wide receiver Devin Smith wide receiver in the second round. They also dipped into the Buckeye receiving corps via unrestricted free agency in Jalin Marshall.

Smith battled through an injury plagued season, but still has hope. Lee is a freshly drafted player with his entire career ahead of him.

More jets: New York Jets Profile: TE Jason Vander Laan

Overall, the problem is despite the fact that they are two completely different players, playing two completely different positions, they’ll forever be tied together. Hopefully Lee can end the Gholston nightmare once and for all with an outstanding career on the Jets.

The New York Jets have delved into Ohio State’s talent pool before and have had their hands burned. Will this time be different?

More from The Jet Press

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