QB Kawaun Jakes Gets His Chance To Shine

May 3, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Kawaun Jakes (4) sets to throw during a rookie minicamp held at Everbank Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

It’s awfully tough to make an NFL roster when you are undrafted and not signed to a contract.  Western Kentucky’s Kawaun Jakes was brought to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ rookie minicamp this weekend as one of 19 tryout guys.  Unlike most workout guys, Jakes was not expected to get a real shot because of the presence of Matt Scott and Jordan Rodgers, both of whom went undrafted but are a part of the 90 man roster currently.

With Scott injuring his ankle and Rodgers injuring his groin, Jakes had Sunday to throw ball with all eyes on him.

Jakes sounded nonchalant about it all when quoted on Jaguars.com.  “It’s just playing football. If I get in, I’m playing football, so that’s all it is,” but I can only imagine the exhilaration he has from being the only quarterback to throw on the last day of the minicamp.  It’s rare for a tryout player to get all the attention during drills, but Jakes got it.  The decision on which couple tryout guys could make the roster has yet to be made, but Jakes had a unique opportunity to showcase his skills compared to the others.

Whether he is good enough is another question all together.

Head coach Gus Bradley admitted to feeling a bit jaded with the NFL cutting process, but he has compensated by coaching as hard as he can when he has young players with little chance of making a team doing workouts, “The loyalty comes with us coaching every one of you as hard as we can.”

If Jakes is cut he knows he has a bit more practice tape and a bit more knowledge of what the NFL is like.  He could try to cycle through to another camp or he could try again with the Jaguars the next year.  Either way, the tryout guy was given a chance to show what he can do with all eyes on him.  We’ll see if its enough when the team announces roster moves.

– Luke N. Sims

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