Jabari Zuniga is headed to New York after the Jets selected him with the 79th overall pick of the NFL Draft. (Photo: Anissa Dimilta/UAA Communications)
NFL Draft: Zuniga Goes To Jets in Third Round
Friday, April 24, 2020 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Injuries slowed Gators defensive end Jabari Zuniga in 2019, but the New York Jets saw enough of Zuniga to select him with the 79th overall pick of the NFL Draft on Friday night.
A 6-foot-4, 264-pound defensive lineman who flashed versatility and play-making ability with the Gators, Zuniga was the third UF player off the board in this year's draft, following first-round pick CJ Henderson (Jacksonville) and second-round pick Van Jefferson (Los Angeles Rams).
Zuniga's quick burst off the line and improvement over his college career project well at the next level.
"It's an exciting time for Jabari. I think he has a chance to be an outstanding NFL player," Turner said. "With his skill set, he will have a chance to put up some really good numbers."
When healthy, Zuniga was a disruptive force for the Gators after he redshirted in 2015. He started three games in 2016 and blossomed into an NFL prospect in 2017 when he started six games and registered eight tackles for loss and four sacks. He boosted those numbers to 11 tackles for loss and a 6.5 sacks as a junior in 2018, prompting chatter that Zuniga could become a first-round pick.
However, Injuries haunted Zuniga as a senior and he played in only six games due to a high-ankle sprain suffered early in the season. When he was on the field, Zuniga was effective, recording 14 tackles -- seven of those for loss -- and three sacks.
"You've got the grit and toughness to make an immediate impact in the league,'' Gators head coach Dan Mullen tweeted to Zuniga after his selection. "The Jets are lucky to have you. Do what you do best and dominate."
The Jets used a draft pick on a Gators defensive player for the third time in four years. The took safety Marcus Maye in the second round in 2017 and defensive end Jachai Polite in the third round in 2019. Maye remains a member of the Jets while Polite was released. Former Gators defensive back Brian Poole signed with the Jets prior to last season.
A 6-foot-4, 264-pound defensive lineman who flashed versatility and play-making ability with the Gators, Zuniga was the third UF player off the board in this year's draft, following first-round pick CJ Henderson (Jacksonville) and second-round pick Van Jefferson (Los Angeles Rams).
"I definitely consider myself the steal of the draft," Zuniga told NewYorkJets.com.
Jets assistant general manager Rex Hogan added: "He is a guy who weighs 265 pounds and ran 4.65 and has the get-off, the explosiveness and twitch. Although he missed six games this season, his production rate and what he did show when he was on the field is what we saw in him and what we expect from him."
Meanwhile, those saw Zuniga on a day-to-day basis at UF realize he has a lot of untapped potential. Second-year Gators defensive line coach David Turner didn't get to rely on Zuniga as much as he would have preferred last season, but he understands why the Jets are intrigued by his potential.Jets assistant general manager Rex Hogan added: "He is a guy who weighs 265 pounds and ran 4.65 and has the get-off, the explosiveness and twitch. Although he missed six games this season, his production rate and what he did show when he was on the field is what we saw in him and what we expect from him."
Zuniga's quick burst off the line and improvement over his college career project well at the next level.
"It's an exciting time for Jabari. I think he has a chance to be an outstanding NFL player," Turner said. "With his skill set, he will have a chance to put up some really good numbers."
Adding to the pass rush.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) April 25, 2020
Let's go to work, @JabariZuniga!! ✈️ pic.twitter.com/lQ8BQM2Yvg
When healthy, Zuniga was a disruptive force for the Gators after he redshirted in 2015. He started three games in 2016 and blossomed into an NFL prospect in 2017 when he started six games and registered eight tackles for loss and four sacks. He boosted those numbers to 11 tackles for loss and a 6.5 sacks as a junior in 2018, prompting chatter that Zuniga could become a first-round pick.
However, Injuries haunted Zuniga as a senior and he played in only six games due to a high-ankle sprain suffered early in the season. When he was on the field, Zuniga was effective, recording 14 tackles -- seven of those for loss -- and three sacks.
"You've got the grit and toughness to make an immediate impact in the league,'' Gators head coach Dan Mullen tweeted to Zuniga after his selection. "The Jets are lucky to have you. Do what you do best and dominate."
The Jets used a draft pick on a Gators defensive player for the third time in four years. The took safety Marcus Maye in the second round in 2017 and defensive end Jachai Polite in the third round in 2019. Maye remains a member of the Jets while Polite was released. Former Gators defensive back Brian Poole signed with the Jets prior to last season.
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