Jordan Wyatt: Longest of longshots or the next Chris Banjo?

[PonyPride]

Jordan Wyatt: The longest of longshots ... or the next Chris Banjo?
Two-plus years after his last game, former SMU CB Jordan Wyatt is hoping for one more NFL shot
Posted on 04/24/2021 by PonyFans.com

Former SMU safety Chris Banjo is one of the most remarkable success stories in the NFL.

Consider how many players leave college each year with a dream of playing professionally ΓÇö most do not make it. Banjo beat even longer odds: a senior in 2011, Banjo went undrafted and had brief tryouts with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the then-Oakland Raiders, but got cut. He spent a year working in Dallas and training, and the following summer landed a free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. After nine seasons with the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals, Banjo signed a one-year extension last month to remain with the Cardinals.

Now former SMU cornerback Jordan Wyatt is trying to top Banjo by following him to the NFL.

Wyatt ran drills at SMUΓÇÖs Pro Day in March, more than two full years after his last game in 2018, when his senior season was cut short by a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. The SMU record holder for defensive touchdowns (5) and interception return yards (289), and once thought to be a sure candidate to be drafted, Wyatt was left to chase his professional dreams as a free agent with the Saints, who cut him.

ΓÇ£I wasnΓÇÖt as confident (in the injured knee) as I tried to make it seem,ΓÇ¥ Wyatt said. ΓÇ£I was always telling everyone it was OK, but deep down inside I knew I was nowhere near player I was before tearing my ACL. IΓÇÖd had two major surgeries before going in to (training) camp, and I didnΓÇÖt have a full offseason to strengthen my body. I put so much on myself. You tell yourself youΓÇÖre 100 percent, but your body doesnΓÇÖt lie to you. I wasnΓÇÖt back to where I wanted to be, and it was pretty obvious.ΓÇ¥

Wyatt headed home, where he resumed training. Being around his old SMU teammates helped somewhat, but not playing was frustrating. His girlfriend — now fiancée — Ariana helped him navigate the disappointment. The two plan to marry next summer.

ΓÇ£It was difficult, being out a whole year,ΓÇ¥ Wyatt said. ΓÇ£Our plans for the future got delayed, but it was all about ΓÇÿnow whatΓÇÖs next?ΓÇÖ It was extremely difficult, but she really helped me keep hope. I rehabbed as hard as I could, and I had to be more patient.

ΓÇ£It was really tough, but it made us stronger. She stuck with me and never wavered. She always had the most confidence in me, and made sacrifices for us to allow me to pursue the dream of playing in the NFL. She never doubted me once. She picked me up when I felt like I was falling down, and was always there to catch me.ΓÇ¥

Whether he reaches the NFL remains to be seen, but at least he got a chance to show scouts that his knee is fully healed. Other former SMU players who came back to work out for professional scouts included former SMU tight end Ryan Becker, wide receiver Myron Gailliard and running back KeΓÇÖMon Freeman; shortly after Pro Day, Becker inked a deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

Wyatt had planned to take part in the MustangsΓÇÖ 2020 Pro Day, but it was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic

ΓÇ£In March of last year, I felt like I was ready,ΓÇ¥ he said. ΓÇ£I had strengthened up my quad and hamstring, gotten my explosiveness and lateral movement back. Everything was the same, back to 100 percent. I felt like I was going to show (scouts) what I hadnΓÇÖt been able to show them the year before.ΓÇ¥

Wyatt had reached out to SMU in 2020, asking if he could take part in Pro Day, before the pandemic ended that chance. This year, the invitation came from the SMU football program.

ΓÇ£I wasnΓÇÖt going to do Pro Day this year, but I got a group message about it,ΓÇ¥ he said. ΓÇ£I knew they had a good team, I new (NFL) teams would come out to see guys like Buechele, Stephens and Granson, and thought why not? Even if I do just drills, itΓÇÖs an opportunity to show scouts IΓÇÖm 100 percent, and that IΓÇÖm ready to get back in the league at any cost.ΓÇ¥

As it turns out, Wyatt wasnΓÇÖt allowed to do the whole Pro Day ΓÇö just drills. Just that allowed him to fulfill his goals for the day.

ΓÇ£I just wanted them to see my movement on drills,ΓÇ¥ Wyatt said. ΓÇ£I wanted them to know there is a drastic difference between me now and two years ago. I talked to my agent (Rodney Ardoin) and made sure he sent results to all of the teams.ΓÇ¥

Wyatt said he is in the best shape he has been in in years, carrying 195 pounds on his 5-foot-11 frame. The speed and explosiveness that were evident throughout his SMU career, he said, have returned.

For all of his numerous athletic gifts, Wyatt is smart, a cerebral player on the field who understands the nuances of playing anywhere in the secondary, and rational enough to know that the odds of getting to the NFL at this point are long.

ΓÇ£EverybodyΓÇÖs story is different,ΓÇ¥ he said. ΓÇ£I donΓÇÖt know what my chances are. IΓÇÖve heard nothing (from NFL teams) so far, but the NFL is a wait-and-see game. I could get a call right before training camp, or even during the season. I trust in GodΓÇÖs plan. IΓÇÖm taking this one day at a time, which means I have to wait and see.

ΓÇ£There definitely are some challenging days, and there has always been some doubt. ΓÇÿAm I doing this for nothing?ΓÇÖ But something in me knows that something good is going to happen. Where? IΓÇÖm not sure, but pretty confident that somehow, IΓÇÖll get an opportunity to get back in the NFL.ΓÇ¥

When he was in camp with the Saints, Wyatt said he talked briefly with Banjo, who encouraged him to stay hungry and keep working. The comeback experience, Wyatt said, has helped him in ways that will benefit him in the future, whether or not he ever plays again.

ΓÇ£It has made me grow up even more as a man,ΓÇ¥ he said. ΓÇ£When you really face whatΓÇÖs next, life after ΓÇÖball, it really makes you look at the bigger picture. IΓÇÖm still driven to play ball, but master plan for after ball. If playing football doesnΓÇÖt work out, IΓÇÖd like to get a (graduate assistant) position in college, particularly at SMU; if not, thereΓÇÖs a high school position coach job out there.

While continuing his training, Wyatt, armed with a sport management degree, has been working as a long-term substitute teacher at Achieve Academy, where his mother works, and coaching at the Bullitt Experience, a training academy in Rowlett.

ΓÇ£This is my last shot ΓÇö itΓÇÖs now or never. I know the window keeps getting smaller, and IΓÇÖm not getting younger. At the end of the day, IΓÇÖve got to be realistic. IΓÇÖll keep fighting, keep pursuing, but at some point IΓÇÖm going to move on ΓÇö just not yet.

ΓÇ£One of these days, it will be time to hang up the cleats. ItΓÇÖs tough to say when, because IΓÇÖve been playing since I was a kid. All I know is I had a good career at SMU, I got a taste of the NFL, and I know I have a lot more in the tank. If I get blessed enough to get one more shot to continue to live out my dreams, IΓÇÖll make the most of it. If not, IΓÇÖll be happy anyway. I have a lot to be thankful for.ΓÇ¥

[SMUFan]

I wish I had his perseverance. Inspiring story.

[Junior]

Wish him the best of luck!

[Charleston Pony]

Hope he at least gets invited somewhere for a free agent tryout. If nobody else, the Cowboys should at least give him a look at a position of need for them.

[indianmustang]

yep,it would be nice if he can get a chance