Jaguars HC Urban Meyer was targeting ‘human highlight reel’ Kadarius Toney in draft
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer told ESPN’s College GameDay that it “broke his heart” when a team selected the player he was targeting with the 25th overall pick.
On Saturday, Meyer admitted that player was former Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney, whom the New York Giants selected 20th overall.
“I’ve gotten to know him over the last couple weeks and obviously my connection with [Gators] coach [Dan] Mullen and those guys,” Meyer said, according to ESPN’s Michael DiRocco. “You watch [Toney] play, he’s a human highlight reel.”
Toney caught 120 passes for 1,590 yards and 12 touchdowns in four seasons with the Gators. He also ran for 580 yards and two scores.
The 22-year-old was the fourth wide receiver taken behind LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase and Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith.
After missing out on Toney, the Jaguars opted to select former Clemson running back Travis Etienne to pair with first overall pick Trevor Lawrence.
After the Jags selected him, Etienne admitted he was “secretly rooting” for Jacksonville to pick him and to reunite him with Lawrence. Meyer added that the 22-year-old is a “matchup issue” who can help the team both as a runner and receiver.
In four seasons at Clemson, he ran for 4,952 yards and 70 touchdowns with 102 catches for 1,155 yards and eight scores.
