Tight end Jeremy Ruckert is preparing for his fourth season with the Green & White, a period in which the Long Island native has had modest success as a receiver and made a greater impact as a blocker. How, and if that changes under HC Aaron Glenn and OC Tanner Engstrand remains to be seen. That's especially after the team drafted Mason Taylor in the second round of April's NFL Draft.

"I'm 24, but I'm kind of the longest-tenured Jets tight end," Ruckert said, speaking about the players currently on the roster. "So being that, being that guy in the room to know how to deal with the expectations in the media, and just showing that doesn't mean anything, just to kind of come to work every day.

"And we've got a good room. We got a bunch of young guys so [I'm] rallying them along. And playing with [QB] Justin Fields in the past, playing with [WR] Garrett Wilson and [OL] Josh Myersand all those guys, just coming together. And bringing energy every day just setting the tone and playing and letting my play, my attitude get the team going."

For certain, the Ohio State vibe is strong on the offense. Besides the number of former Buckeye players, Glenn sees a role for Ruckert in the Jets' versatile offense. That's especially true with the stated emphasis on the run game that's tethered to an improved and promising offensive line, a three-headed monster of running backs and the agile and dangerous Fields.

"I think you saw today in the passing game where he can be a factor," Glenn said after Friday's practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center as he addressed a question about Ruckert's role. "And the one thing that I like more than anything, he's a true 'Y' tight end, meaning he's a guy that can get in-line and move people off the ball. He's shown that in practice. To be able to have a six-technique standing in front of you, a man that's 280 pounds and be able to block that man, it's hard to do for a tight end, and he's been doing a pretty good job of that. There's more for him to improve on, but I like where he's going."

Since being selected by the Jets in the third round (No. 101 overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft, Ruckert has appeared in 41 games (15 starts), the majority over the past two seasons after an injury limited him to only 9 games his rookie year. He saw his most playing time (393 snaps; 37%) last season while catching 18 passes (6 first downs) for 105 yards. He has yet to catch a TD pass in the NFL.

"Right now I'm focused on being consistent, being a leader and winning that 'C' gap," Ruckert said, referring to the space between the OT and the TE. "It's a mindset. I believe that I can do it, and I believe that I can do anything they're asking of me. So, the opportunities I get in the pass game, making those plays, which I'm feeling pretty good about right now. And just focusing on being dominant every down and winning that 'C' gap."

After his career at LSU, Taylor is currently viewed more as a pass-catching tight end than a blocker, but Glenn sees Taylor (6-5, 251) and Ruckert (6-5, 250) as capable of playing varied roles.

"It's natural for Mason because that's all he's really done for the most part," Glenn said about Taylor's pass-catching ability. "They asked him to do it at LSU. We will ask him to do more things, but I think today, again, you saw Jeremy, as far as the passing game, make some plays. I'm not going to put a cap on him and where he can be at, but I know exactly what I want him to be, and he's doing a good job trying to practice that on a daily basis."

Regardless of how his role shakes out this season, Ruckert says he's ready.

"This is the best I've felt, mentally, physically, emotionally," he said. "I'm excited about this season, excited about where we're going,"