Jerome Barkum - #83 - TE - Jackson State - Profile

PRO: "Jerome is a guy that all the players look up to," Walton said. "He makes very few mistakes and still comes up with many key plays." ...started 9 games at TE in 1982 and 3 in playoffs ...was Jets' 3rd leading receiver with 19 receptions for 182 yards (9.6 avg.) and 1 TD ...was 4-71-1 TO vs. Miami on opening day ...had key 11-yard catch vs. Raiders in playoff on 3rd down to keep winning drive alive late in game ...oldest and most experienced Jet and has served as captain emeritus the past 2 years ...has most career starts and games played of any active Jet - 151 games played, 133 starts ...is employed a lot in double TE formations with Mickey Shuler ...had best season of career in 1981 with 30-495 and a career high 7 TDs ...caught winning 11-yard TO pass with only 16 seconds remaining to giveJets a 16-15 win over Miami and first place in the AFC East at the time ...came back to have outstanding season after missing a great deal of training camp with back problems ...his 39 career TO receptions ranks 2nd for the Jets behind Don Maynard (88) ...is ranked 7th among Jet career scoring leaders with 234 points stands 3rd in career receptions (294) and 4th in yardage (4404) played wide receiver in his first 5 seasons ...switched to tight end during the 1977 preseason when Rich Caster moved out wide ...led Jets in receiving in 1973 and made the Pro BowL ..topped the club again in 1974 ...signed late as a rookie but still managed best seasonal average gain per catch (19.0) of his career ...missed first 10 games of 1976 with a severely pulled hamstring.

COLLEGE: Caught 128 passes for 2,130 yards and 27 TDs in four-year career at Jackson State ...had 10 TDs as a senior ...played in Senior Bowl and East-West game ...AP Little All-America ... AII-SWAC for two years.

PERSONAL: Wife Linda ...daughter Laiysha 7, son Jerome Jr. 2 ... has degree in health and physical education nicknamed "Gee" ...cousin of former Detroit Lion Lem Barney enjoys working with kids ...worked as substitute teacher in his hometown during offseason ...was a standout all-around athlete at 33rd Ave.

High in his birthplace and hometown of Gulfport, Miss.

From 1983 Jets yearbook.