It’s been a few months since the NFL Draft, how is former Syracuse star Amba Etta-Tawo faring with the Jacksonville Jaguars?
It’s been a hot minute since we’ve checked in on former Syracuse football star Amba Etta-Tawo. So with training camp underway how has he been doing in the NFL?
If you remember we spoke with a NFL Insider that spoke with Etta-Tawo following the NFL Draft. While going undrafted was certainly disappointing it was bitter sweet. Etta-Tawo then got the choice of picking where he thought was the best fit.
He chose familiarity with the Syracuse connection and a Maryland connection. So how is that helping his bid to earn a job in the pros?
Well I spoke with Mike Kaye, Jacksonville Jaguars Beat Writer for First Coast News to find out what has he seen from Etta-Tawo thus far in #JagsCamp:
"“Etta-Tawo has had his moments in camp. His route running is crisp and his relationship with wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell, from their Maryland days, has likely helped his confidence as he has tried to earn a roster spot. That said, he does face pretty formidable competition with the breakout performances of Shane Wynn and Keelan Cole and the favor of a former draft pick in Rashad Greene, who is having the best camp of his three-year career.”"
#Jaguars UDFA rookie battle: Amba Etta-Tawo vs. Ezra Robinson. #Cuse alum gets the tally in the win column, plus praise from his WRs. pic.twitter.com/t6aTYIpwj3
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 3, 2017
So it’s been a roller coaster ride so far in camp it seems. Well one thing that can be said for sure is that Etta-Tawo has overcome some unlikely odds.
From being a marginal receiver at Maryland to blossoming into the most prolific wide receiver in Syracuse football history. It’s quite an evolution.
Evolution
Speaking of evolution, I spoke to Etta-Tawo after his Pro Day, spoke with some NFL draft scouts, and evaluated the tape. Etta-Tawo’s major issue is getting off the line of scrimmage against NFL caliber corners.
He’s got a lot of strengths. Etta-Tawo wins his share of 50-50 balls. He possesses both game speed and real speed (evidenced by his sub 4.4 40 yard dash at his Pro Day).
The tools are there for him to thrive as a No. 3 or 4 option on an offense. Despite the fact Etta-Tawo said he wasn’t asked about the “one year wonder” label, it’s there.
No one knew who he was prior to this past season. To stick in camp and beyond, he’ll have to show he has better hands. His Pro Day lacked that consistency and his workouts did as well. During the season you could see flashes and that’s what these NFL teams are investing in.
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While the odds are stacked against him, I believe Etta-Tawo will make the Jaguars roster. He’s got a lot going for him, including the new NFL rule on roster cuts. There used to be tiers to roster cuts for example, 90 players to 75. That no longer exists. So that provides players like Etta-Tawo more time and more opportunities to prove themselves.