RICHMOND — Sam Darnold is the obvious focal point of the New York Jets’ 2018 draft class, but one late-round selection has also been turning heads throughout training camp.
And if he makes the 53-man roster, his last name and his game speed will create a field day for New York tabloid headline writers.
Trenton Cannon, a Virginia native who starred at Division II Virginia State, is back in his home state this week as the Jets have joint practices with the Washington Redskins at Bon Secours Training Center.
Cannon had family in attendance Monday, including his mother, stepdad and sister. Along with a healthy portion of Jets jerseys in the crowd, some fans repped Virginia State gear with the Trojans’ former star there.
“I love it,” Cannon said. “It feels great to be back home especially because of the support that I get.”
Cannon received no full scholarship offers out of high school, so he went to Shepherd University on a partial scholarship before transferring to Virginia State and walking onto their football team. The Hampton, Virginia, native averaged 7.7 yards per carry his senior year for a total of 1,638 rushing yards, scored 17 touchdowns rushing and three receiving, and the Trojans won their conference.
The Jets used a sixth-round pick on Cannon, who was not invited to the scouting combine but clocked a 4.40-second 40-yard dash at his pro day.
“It’s humbling coming from Virginia State, Division II, and then getting drafted at that level,” Cannon said. “The good thing about it is the younger ones that look up to me that go to Division II or Division III schools. They can say, ’He did it.’ All you got to do is put in the work and it’ll happen eventually.”
New York media has been buzzing about Cannon’s camp. One of the Jets’ main third-down backs last year, Elijah McGuire, is starting the season with a foot fracture, giving Cannon more looks in practice and preseason games. But his value to the team also hinges on his ability to return kicks and punts.
“I’ll do whatever I need to do to help the team out, whether that’s returning, punt return, kick return or running back,” Cannon said. “I do it all.”
Cannon did all of those things in the Jets’ first preseason game, in which he led the team in rushing yards with 40 and ran back a kickoff 26 yards. However, he fumbled two punts (though he recovered both).
Cannon was not used as a punt returner in college, so there is still a learning curve for him in that facet of the game.
“Just keeping my eye on the ball, that’s it,” Cannon said. “It wasn’t much. I can catch. That’s no problem for me. (It’s about) just not taking my eye off the ball.”
The Redskins likely will see plenty of Cannon on punts and in the second half of their preseason game against the Jets Thursday at FedEx Field.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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