The Jets quietly signed one of the NFL's best athletes after the 2026 NFL Draft

The New York Jets signed a 6-foot-2 cornerback who reportedly ran a 4.27-second 40-yard dash after the 2026 NFL Draft, yet most fans probably don't even know he's on the roster.

And I suppose that's understandable. After all, Mory Bamba has played remarkably little football compared to almost every other player on the Jets' roster, but his combination of size and athleticism made him one of the more intriguing undrafted free agents the team signed this spring.

Day 52 of your 2026 Jets Camp Countdown belongs to the Ivorian Rocket, the Super Duper Senior, Bamba Express, not Mo Bamba...it's Mory Bamba.

1. Where Mory Bamba stands entering Jets training camp
2. Mory Bamba brings rare athletic traits to the Jets secondary
3. What would make 2026 a success for Mory Bamba
4. Recent 2026 Camp Countdown Breakdowns

Where Mory Bamba stands entering Jets training camp

Bamba's path to the NFL certainly looks nothing like the typical cornerback prospect. A standout track athlete growing up, Bamba didn't spend years developing at the position. In fact, he only played cornerback during his senior year of high school before beginning his college career in 2019.

And he actually started as a track athlete at Wisconsin-Oshkosh before transferring to ASA College in Florida. Eventually, he landed at BYU, where he returned to football after spending years away from the game.

Bamba remained at BYU for four seasons, appearing in 36 games but making only two starts during his final season in 2025. He'll also turn 26 years old in November, making him the oldest rookie on the Jets' roster.

Bamba never really became more than a part-time player at BYU, but that's not the reason he earned an NFL contract. Take one look at his athletic profile, however, and it isn't hard to figure out why NFL teams were willing to take a chance on him.

Mory Bamba brings rare athletic traits to the Jets secondary

There simply aren't many cornerbacks built like Bamba. At 6-foot-2, 193 pounds, Bamba ran an unofficial 4.27-second 40-yard dash at BYU's pro day. That time would have ranked first among all cornerbacks at this year's NFL Combine.

His 11-foot-1 broad jump also would have ranked second at the position, while his 10- and 20-yard splits were also among the best the position has seen in years. His 9.53 Relative Athletic Score is proof of his elite athletic profile.

That said, Bamba looked more like an elite athlete learning how to play cornerback than a polished defensive back entering the draft. Even so, he still held his own at BYU.

He posted Pro Football Focus coverage grades of 72.7 and 68.8 over his final two seasons despite competing in a talented cornerback room that limited his opportunities to start.

His biggest area for growth remains his ball skills, which isn't surprising given how little football he has actually played compared to most NFL prospects. He had zero career interceptions across four years with the Cougars.

Bamba also earned Academic All-American honors and garnered a reputation at BYU as one of the hardest workers on the team, which makes him exactly the type of player NFL organizations are willing to invest time in developing.

Camp Countdown: Your guide to every player on the 2026 Jets roster

What would make 2026 a success for Mory Bamba

Bamba obviously faces an uphill battle to make the Jets' initial 53-man roster, but that was always going to be the case.

His best chance to stick around will likely come on special teams, where his combination of size and speed could make him an immediate contributor while he continues developing as a cornerback.

Bamba will hope to impress Chris Banjo and this Jets special teams staff enough to justify keeping him around, whether on the active roster or, more likely, the practice squad. If he holds his own on defense as well, that would be an added bonus.

Mory Bamba is one of the most gifted athletes on the Jets' roster, and while that doesn't guarantee he will find success at the NFL level, he should at least be one of the more entertaining developmental prospects to watch throughout training camp.

Recent 2026 Camp Countdown Breakdowns

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