Freehold Township's Ryan Spadola Shines in Jets Scrimmage

The New York Jets open their preseason schedule this weekend and the regular season less than a month later. Former Freehold Township receiver Ryan Spadola, who cut his teeth on the gridiron with the Howell Pop Warner teams, took another step toward making the regular season roster this past weekend with a strong showing at the annual Green & White scrimmage at SUNY Cortland.

After going undrafted out of Lehigh University, Spadola signed with the Jets and has been busy at training camp taking his game to the next level. Much as the quarterback situation on the squad is up in the air, there appears to be tough competition at the wide receiver position as well.

At one point during the scrimmage Spadola was lined up with Jets third string quarterback Greg McElroy and pulled in a 48-yard touchdown catch according to a recap on the team’s website. The former Patriot said his new coaches have helped him to develop his game early in his pro career. 

"Coach told me when you have off corner, attack his leverage, try to get his hips turned, and once you get by him, put the bursts on and once the balls in the air, make a play on it," Spadola said. "McElroy did a great job putting the ball in the perfect location where only I could make the catch. I just reached out, brought the ball into my chest and held onto it as tight as I could.”

The Jets are scheduled to open their preseason schedule at Detroit this weekend and play their first game at MetLife Stadium on August 17 when they will host the Jacksonville Jaguars.