B-b-b-b-ender & The Jets

Uncertainty and nervousness can describe every player waiting to hear their name called in the NFL Draft. Whether it’s a first-round candidate or a player waiting—or hoping—to get drafted in the later rounds, everyone involved feels those emotions.

And that’s no different for former Nicholls State left tackle Jacob Bender. Two weeks ago, the New York Jets picked Bender in the sixth round. It was the 177th overall pick. “I was nervous, to tell you the truth,” said Bender. “I didn’t know how it was going to pan out.”

As the clock kept ticking, and teams kept picking, Bender was left wondering.

The questions?

Who would pick him? When will they pick him? Would someone pick him at all?

“I kept seeing teams that I went to visit, and kept thinking that this might be it,” recalled Bender. “Then it didn’t happen until pick 177.”

Supporters in Thibodaux had to wait to see Bender’s selection scroll across the television screen; Bender only had to wait for a phone call. “The New York Jets called me two minutes before my name went across the screen,” he said.

Which wasn’t a shock to him. Bender, projected to be a fourth- or fifth-round pick, knew the Jets were interested in him. He just didn’t think he would still be on the board at the 177th pick.

“I always thought the Jets had interest,” he said, “but they didn’t have a pick until later. I didn’t think I was going to be around when they got on the clock.”

But he was around, and now, he is a Jet.

So instead of looking forward to being given a chance, as he has for the past four years, Bender is now looking forward to making the most of the chance he’s been given. “I’m excited to learn from these guys,” he said. “I’m going to go in, I’m going to compete, I’m going to watch, I’m going to learn, an we’ll see how it all pans out.

“I have a strong work ethic. I go 150-percent all the time. I’m going to pick it up quickly.”

In a draft day conference call with the New York media, Bender played down the significance of transitioning from a Division I-AA college to the NFL, citing his work ethic. “I’m just here to prove them wrong,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what school you went to once you make it to the NFL. I know that I’m going to come in … and make the most of what I have.”

The challenge of making that transition—both on and off the field—is something Bender savors. “It’s going to be quite a jump,” he said. “Thibodaux is slow pace, real small. New York is big time. One of the biggest media markets in the world. Everything is running and coming at you fast. It’s going to be different, but it’s going to be fun.”

One transition it doesn’t appear that Bender will be making is to the opposite side of the offensive line. A left tackle while at Nicholls, Bender said as of right now, he will remain in that spot. “I talked to (offensive line) coach Tony Wise, and he said for now they’re going to keep me at left tackle,” said Bender. “We’ll see how camp goes. See how I go in and compete. Whatever’s best for the team, they said they’ll find a spot for me.”

The one knock on Bender’s ability is a question mark about his pass-blocking skills. Having played in Nicholls’ triple-option offense, Bender rarely got an opportunity to play in pass protection more than five times a game.

Bender’s response to those question marks? “I’m athletic,” he said. “I’ve got good feet. I’ve got a good mind. I stay positive. So, I think that I’ll pick it up rather quickly.”

According to Bender, his first chance to begin that learning process will come in mini-camps on June 12-14.

And although it may be for just a fleeting moment, that uncertainty and nervousness that Bender felt on draft day will probably return.

And after that fleeting moment?

It’ll all be about football, again.

Staff photo by Doug Keese * NSU * Jacob Bender, a former left tackle for Nicholls State, was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of last week’s NFL Draft. Bender says that he is looking forward to the challenge of transitioning to the NFL, both on and off the field.