Come this fall, Zach Wilson will get his first full taste of facing a blitzing NFL defense.
Before that, though, he had to endure the scrutiny of NFL front office personnel for months prior to the league’s 2021 draft, culminating in the former BYU quarterback being the No. 2 overall selection by the New York Jets.
Wilson, who prepped at Corner Canyon High, plays a prominent role in the team’s docuseries — “Flight 2021: An Offseason With the New York Jets” — that was released this week. How prominent? The first few minutes of the documentary — even before the intro explains what the series will cover — are dedicated to multiple Jets personnel discussing Wilson’s player attributes during a pre-draft meeting.
“The thing that really flashed on Zach when you watched him on tape and in person is his command of the offense. He has a high level of confidence. This kid has a playmaker mentality,” said Andrew Dollak, a New York scout assigned to evaluate college talent from the West Coast, during the opening segment. “... This is a sneaky good athlete. You see him make people miss in the pocket, in tight spaces. He’s able to create with his legs.”
“... Another thing I don’t think people are talking about is his toughness. You’ll see defenders barreling down on him, whether it’s coming from the interior or on the edge, and he consistently keeps his eyes downfield despite knowing that a big hit is coming.”
The four-episode series gives fans an inside look at this offseason for the Jets, which has included hiring a new head coach, managing 10 picks in the draft and going through other parts of the offseason.
Wilson is discussed in all four parts of the docuseries, with Episode 3 diving deep into the first night of the NFL draft, when the quarterback officially became a Jet.
It’s a must watch for BYU fans, and of course Jets fans, who want to know more about how Wilson became the highest draft pick in Cougar history.