The introduction for Garrett Wilson got here in faculty.
He largely lined up within the slot for Ohio State towards Alabama within the 2021 Faculty Soccer Playoff title sport — and subsequently largely prevented Patrick Surtain II’s protection — however the impression of the long run first-round choose was evident.
Surtain helped include Saints wideout Chris Olave, Wilson and the opposite Ohio State receivers that evening within the Crimson Tide’s win, and Wilson recalled Olave saying on the time that, “Yeah, he’s actually good.”
When the Jets face the Broncos on Sunday, Wilson possible will draw protection from Surtain for the second time since they each joined the NFL, and it’s a matchup Wilson stated he seems ahead to — much like others towards high cornerbacks.
Wilson caught 4 passes for twenty-four yards within the Jets’ Week 7 sport towards the Broncos final 12 months, and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph might have Surtain shadow Wilson like he did towards Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill or Raiders wideout Davante Adams.
“If I’m critical about how I’m going about issues, these are the video games you look ahead to, the matchups you look ahead to,” Wilson stated Friday. “I would like the prospect to show it towards the very best, and he’s, for positive, that.”
The Week 3 matchup towards Hill was the worst of Surtain’s profession, as he allowed 4 catches, 99 yards and a landing whereas monitoring Hill on 13 of 21 routes, in line with Subsequent Gen Stats. However within the season opener, Surtain, 23, surrendered simply two catches and broke up a career-best three passes defending Davante Adams, in line with Professional Soccer Focus.
Wilson stated it’s obvious that Surtain — the son of a former Professional Bowl defensive again — grew up across the sport due to his sound approach and information of opponents, whereas Surtain described Wilson as a “playmaker” to Denver reporters Thursday.
“He’s their man, their No. 1, go-to goal,” Surtain stated. “What I’ve seen, they transfer him round lots, particularly in positions for him to make performs, you recognize what I imply, as a result of that’s what they need to do.”
The Wilson-Surtain matchup will happen one week after the Jets’ offense flashed tangible progress for maybe the primary time since Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles, too. Wilson caught 9 of his 14 targets from quarterback Zach Wilson for 60 yards of their Week 4 loss, and any lingering results from sideline frustrations began to simmer. The Wilsons linked — after which saved connecting.
Surtain would possibly make it troublesome for the pair to orchestrate an encore, although.
“That was some glimpses of the place we need to be at,” Wilson stated of Week 4. “We gotta discover a approach to be extra constant and we’re at all times on the chase of getting higher, however to take that step, it was the precise step.”
