Jets Country

Retired All-Pro Pass Rusher Hypes Up Bryce Huff

Jets' defensive end receives praise from former three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Ralph Ventre

Retired All-Pro Pass Rusher Hypes Up Bryce Huff
Retired All-Pro Pass Rusher Hypes Up Bryce Huff /
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Bryce Huff has progressed from unknown and undrafted to premium NFL pass rusher, and an all-time great has taken notice.

Appearing on the Wednesday episode of The Pat McAfee Show, retired defensive end J.J. Watt provided unsolicited praise for the New York Jets' rotational edge defender. When asked about the Jets' defensive prowess, Watt singled out Huff.

"I love Bryce Huff. There's a lot of names on that defense. There's a lot of guys that can play a lot of great football. I think Bryce Huff coming off the edge. He's got some great pass rush moves. He's got some incredible technical skills," said Watt, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year. 

Huff played like a man possessed during the Jets' 20-14 win over the previously-unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6. He generated pressure on nine of 28 pass rush snaps, according to NFL NextGenStats. Huff finished with 1.5 sacks while logging a season-high 35 reps.

"I know right now he's got a ton of pressures and maybe not the biggest sack numbers," said Watt. "That's a guy that's been getting back there, making a lot of things happen and maybe not getting as much time as he deserves comparative to the rest of the guys."

Despite limited opportunities as a rotational player, Huff has been the best in the NFL at generating pressure. He is the only player (minimum 250 pass rushes) to account for a pressure rate greater than 22.0 percent over the past two seasons. Huff affects the quarterback on a league-high 25.7 percent of pass rush snaps (NextGenStats).

Huff (33) ranks third overall in total pressures this season, according to PFF. Only Maxx Crosby (38) and Aidan Hutchinson (36) have more.

The 25-year-old Huff, who signed a second-round free-agent tender this past March, has become a key contributor on a defense that has Jets' fans thinking playoffs. 

"After [Aaron Rodgers's] injury, the whole reason that anybody has any belief in them whatsoever is because of that defense, really gonna do some incredible work," said Watt, who finished his NFL career with 114.5 sacks.

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Ralph Ventre
RALPH VENTRE

Ralph, a former college football conference administrator, brings 20 years of media experience to the New York Jets beat. Prior to concentrating on Gang Green, he covered the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision for NFL Draft Bible on FanNation. Ventre remains as an official voter for the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and the annual legacy awards. The Fordham University graduate is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. The veteran sports media professional resides in his native state of New Jersey.

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