The Jets have officially signed defensive lineman Tyler Baron, their final pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, taken in the fifth round.
Standing 6-5 and weighing 258 pounds, Baron spent his final college season as a starter at Miami, where he led the team with 5.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. He began his collegiate career at Tennessee, accumulating 13.5 sacks, 101 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and one forced fumble over four seasons. Across 61 total college games, including 28 starts, he recorded 139 tackles, 38 tackles for loss, 19 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four pass breakups.
“He’s shown strong pass-rushing traits on film,” said head coach Aaron Glenn. “Now it’s about pushing him to unlock his full potential, and we believe he’s capable of becoming a key contributor for us.”
Baron hails from Nashville, TN, and is the youngest of three brothers. He began playing football at age five. His father, Patrick Abernathy, a former Tennessee State player and teammate of Hall of Fame defensive end Richard Dent, also worked in player development for Tennessee’s football program until stepping down in 2021. Abernathy previously coached NFL All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey in high school.
Baron is the second player from Miami selected by the Jets in the 2025 draft, following linebacker Kiko Mauigoa, who was picked just before him in the fifth round. They are the first Hurricanes drafted by the Jets since tight end Chris Herndon in 2018. Other notable Miami alumni drafted by the franchise include safety Burgess Owens (1973), wide receiver Santana Moss (2001), and linebacker Jonathan Vilma (2004).
In high school, Baron played both defensive line and tight end. He brings experience both as a hand-in-the-dirt lineman and a stand-up edge rusher.
“My biggest asset is my versatility—helping in the run game and generating pressure on the quarterback,” Baron said. “I can fill multiple roles depending on what the coaches need on any given day.”
He added, “I think I offer value across several spots on the roster. More importantly, I’m someone who’s fully invested in being part of the Jets and everything that comes with it.”
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