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The New York Jets selected Trevor Reilly with the 233rd pick of the NFL Draft on Saturday, much later than the All-Pac-12 standout was widely projected to go.
But when he got the call, "It was total happiness," he said in an interview provided by the Jets.
"I was sitting with my brother and we were listening on the radio," he said. "I was just so happy, happy to be a Jet. I interviewed with them at the combine and got good vibes from the coaching staff."
Reilly played four years and started 32 games for the Utes as a linebacker and defensive end.
At 6-foot-5, 245 pounds with 4.6-second 40-yard dash speed, Reilly's physical attributes were on a par with some players drafted earlier, but his draft status was affected by his age (26) and questions about his recovery from offseason knee surgery.
"From my understanding, when drafting comes, there are two things that kind of scare teams off on guys that are rated higher can be an injury history and age, and I happen to have a little bit of both," he said Saturday, adding, "It is what it is, and I'm here now, seventh round."
As recently as October, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper rated Reilly as a first-rounder.
It goes without saying that Reilly, who said he wants to go into radio or TV when he's done as a player, will get a heavy dose of media in the Big Apple.
Reilly said he's played everywhere in college and he's open to anything, but that he feels he fits in well in Rex Ryan's 3-4 defensive scheme.
He also told the Jets that he and his wife are close friends with Jets defensive end Tevita Finau and his wife, and that he's in touch with Jets offensive lineman Caleb Schluaderaff, as well.
On what he can do better, Reilly said:
"I think I just need some good coaching. … I think I proved myself as an athlete through this pro day process and through my film."
Twitter: @matthew_piper