With their 53-man roster finalized, the Jets have gotten to work at filling out their 10-man practice squad and one name that has surfaced should make Jets fans very happy. As one of Sam Darnold’s favorite targets back in USC, wide receiver Deontay Barnett has been added to the list.
At just 20 years old, Barnett joins the 21-year-old Darnold in Florham Park as a receiver whose chemistry in college led to some game breaking performances in some of the biggest spots college football has to offer while catching passes from the Jets rookie quarterback.
Over the course of his final two college seasons, Burnett and Darnold took part in the Rose Bowl against Penn State in 2016, and then the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State in 2017. USC would split the two games with a win against Penn State and a loss against the Buckeyes, but the Darnold/Burnett connection was all but unstoppable in the two contests. Burnett was Darnold’s go-to receiver, hauling in 25 receptions for 303 yards and 3 scores
Burnett was somewhat of a surprise cut by the Tennessee Titans earlier this week despite having 11 receptions on 11 targets.
He may be on the practice squad for now, but don’t be surprised if Burnett finds himself on the active roster if he shows that the chemistry he had with Darnold in college can carry over to big plays on Sundays.