New England Patriots receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey was just another name in a crowded receivers room at the beginning of training camp.
That line of thinking has obviously changed after seeing the instant production from the former undrafted rookie out of Texas in the first two preseason games. He’s gone from a relative unknown to cracking ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10, along with leading conversations as a live underdog to make the 53-man roster.
The 24-year-old even managed to land a spot on Doug Farrar’s recent “Secret Superstars” list for Week 2 of the preseason.
Yes, the Humphrey hype is real.
He hauled in six receptions for 62 yards and one touchdown in the opener against the New York Giants and then followed that performance up with a game-high 71 receiving yards on five receptions against the Carolina Panthers.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick loves versatility, and Humphrey has it in spades. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, he has the size to line up outside and threaten a defense in jump ball situations. But he also has a willingness to work in the slot, where he could really benefit the Patriots over the middle of the field in play-action calls.
And have you seen him on special teams? He is absolutely incredible.
This will be in every team’s Special Team meeting this coming week
“You guys want to know how to make the team?? When you guys are like ‘oh, coach what do you want me to do i’m getting doubled.’ Watch 83 here. You think he complains??” pic.twitter.com/vbQzXyhSiG
— Willaerys III Compton (@_willcompton) August 20, 2022
An argument could even be made that Humphrey is more of a joker tight end than anything else. In either case, the Patriots were without tight end Hunter Henry against the Carolina Panthers in last Friday’s preseason game, and they’re expecting rookie receiver Tyquan Thornton to miss upwards of 10 weeks with a collarbone injury.
Lil’Jordan Humphrey with a nice catch for a TD to give the Patriots the 21-20 lead with under 5 minutes to go.
Humphrey: 6 rec, 62 yds, TD
On the other sideline – Collin Johnson is having a nice night despite a fumble.
Johnson: 7 rec, 82 yds pic.twitter.com/afYcEdoUF2
— Bob Ballou (@BobBallouSports) August 12, 2022
Humphrey could be the right player in the right place at the right time. It isn’t because of dumb luck or anything like that, either. He is where he is because he’s been on the toughest path since day one.
As a former undrafted rookie free agent, he’s used to making believers out of non-believers by proving no spotlight is bright enough to outshine the heart of a man.