NFL Draft 2014: Iowa State LB Jeremiah George selected by New York Jets in 5th round

Earlier than scheduled, Iowa State linebacker Jeremiah George is off the board at the 2014 NFL Draft.

Nov 23, 2013; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Paul Rhoads hugs linebacker Jeremiah George (52) after defeating the Kansas Jayhawks at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State won 34-0. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

George was selected as the 14th pick in the fifth round (154th overall) of the NFL Draft by the New York Jets. The pick was higher than most pundits predicted and mock drafts had him at. Some didn’t even believe he would be drafted, having to wait until free agency to be picked up.

Instead, the Jets saw the linebacker’s talents from last season and went with him. George will join former Iowa State cornerback Jeremy Reeves, who was signed by the Jets shortly after Iowa State’s pro day back on March 25th. Reeves missed the whole season after pectoral surgery in March 2013.

We had him projected as a seventh round pick, and potentially free agency with some of the negatives that he has, but either way, George was headed to the NFL.

It’s a great story that ends Iowa State’s chapter on Jeremiah George. The Cyclones were lucky to have him, a Florida native that wasn’t able to join Florida State and took his talents all the way to Ames. It was a slow start, but he improved dramatically over the course of the final two seasons, and is arguably the best overall athlete Iowa State had on the team last year.

With that passion, George has the potential to continue growing and could become a starter in the pros.

Congratulations, George. You made it.