5 Jaguars players not named Calvin Ridley already turning heads in training camp
• Gerrit Prince has a chance to make the 53-man roster and more
• A sophomore CB is ready to take the leap
No. 4 Jaguars player not named Calvin Ridley who's stood out: Gregory Junior, CB
Cornerback was seen as a need for the Jags throughout most of the offseason. More specifically, they needed to bolster the nickel position, with Darious Willams and Tyson Campbell slated start in the boundaries.
But instead of bringing in someone in free agency or investing an early-round pick in a nickel cornerback in the 2023 draft, Jacksonville re-signed veteran Tre Herndon. Maybe they thought adding someone to line up in the slot wasn't that big a need or it's possible that they were expecting one of their younger players to step up.
If the latter was the case, the team's brass should then feel pleased about sophomore Gregory Junior, who among other players, has stepped up in practice, according to head coach Doug Pederson.
"Antonio Johnson has played some, Erick Hallett he's been in there, Christian Braswell," Pederson told the local media on Day 4 of training camp. "We've got some guys, Greg Junior is really stepped up a little bit, he's caught the attention, the second-year player coming in, Montaric Brown, these guys are second-year players who take that and just like Snoop [Conner] on offense, you take that second-year leap.
In regards to Junior, Pederson says that he's seen him have a better grasp of the defense and how the team practices, "You're seeing just second year understanding the defense, the terminology, and those are the things I see with him".
Jaguars camp recap Day 4:
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) July 29, 2023
⛏️⛏️ First INT of camp came from S Antonio Johnson on deep pass from C.J. Beathard in 11-on-11. LB Chad Muma also picked off Trevor Lawrence’s throw to Calvin Ridley in 7-on-7.
🦶CB Gregory Junior has stepped up in nickel battle, per Doug Pederson.
Junior, a sixth-round pick in the 2022 draft, was waived before the start of the season but was signed to the practice squad. He was later promoted to the active roster but only appeared in one game, logging 18 snaps. Heading into Year 2, the former Ouachita Baptism standout seemed ready to have a spot in the 53-man roster.