Joe Douglas entered the off-season with a goal. It was an improbable to the New York Jets fan base. But, thus far he’s been meeting those expectations. The New York Jets needed a better offensive line. The Jets’ offensive line is the key to their success, even more than a healthy Aaron Rodgers. Between free agency, trades, and the NFL Draft; they have made strides to avoid last year’s pitfalls. That continued on Tuesday as well. The Jets signed one of the better offensive linemen in the United Football League. A standout at guard in the UFL, he will look to compete for snaps. Find out more about Kohl Levao below.
UFL Standout Guard Signs with the Jets
Back in January, a merger between the United States Football League (USFL) and the third incarnation of the XFL merged leagues. The two spring football leagues were able to generate interest during the NFL offseason for football-starved fans. Both leagues have succeeded in creating new opportunities for athletes to gain a second chance in the NFL. Most notably, KaVontae Turpin and Brandon Aubrey secured contracts with the Dallas Cowboys thanks to the leagues. Soon, more teams were tapping into the potential talent in the league. Now, the Jets add their name to the hat.
The team signed offensive guard Kohl Levao. A standout for the San Antonio Brahmas, Levao was a valuable asset for the Wade Phillips-led Brahmas. Levao was graded as one of the highest league linemen in pass protection on PFF. He effortlessly played both left and right guard this season. His performance was one of the main reasons the Brahmas made it to the league championship game against the Birmingham Stallions.
Kohl Levao
The former University of Hawaii Rainbow Warrior made the most of his opportunity this season. Standing at a staggering 6’5″ and weighing 324 lbs, Levao was a force on the interior offensive line. Levao started all 10 regular season games for the Brahmas this year and remained pivotal in the offense. Despite going undrafted, Levao does show promise at his size and is only 26 years old. He will head to training camp competing for a spot on the 53-man roster. This is easier said than done. He faces competition from Wes Schweitzer, Xavier Newman, and Max Mitchell. On paper, it’s unlikely for him to play a down this season. The opportunity is there however to help New York.
New #Jets guard Kohl Levao put up some impressive numbers in the UFL:
• Didn’t allow a single sack on 806 pass-block snaps over 2 years
• Didn’t even allow a QB hit in 2024 (449 pass-block snaps)
• PFF pass-block grades of 77.3 and 76.2 in 2023 and 2024, respectively
— The Jet Press (@TheJetPress) June 19, 2024
How Kohl Levao can help the Jets Offensive Line
The Jets offensive line changes have been the talk of the offseason. The additions of veterans like Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses are vital for the team’s development. The addition of John Simpson also helps the interior of the line. To help secure this, Kohl Levao can have a place on this roster. Primarily, the return of Alijah Vera-Tucker is the real kicker. Since his rookie season, Vera-Tucker suffered back-to-back season-ending injuries before November. As a result, depth is more important than ever. Should Kohl Levao maintain that level of pass protection, he can give AVT some rest between drives. As the offense looks to elevate the offense, they can’t succeed without Vera-Tucker.
Kohl Levao has earned a second opportunity in the NFL. The competition in camp is heavy. However, the opportunity to earn a 53-man roster spot will be in training camp. If he can take advantage of this chance, this Jets offensive line added another long-term piece.
Main Photo: [Chris Day] – USA Today Sports
